Mt. Shasta - Great Anytime of the Year
Northstate Lifestyles, Places and Faces
December 2nd, 2008
We often go to Mt. Shasta to “get away.” We are so lucky that it’s an easy hour’s drive door to door – home to cabin. It is where we spend many of our Holidays. This Thanksgiving was no different. Let me tell you a little bit about it…
Mt. Shasta, California – is positioned halfway between Redding and the Oregon border – 60 miles from each. It sits peacefully and beautifully on the western side of the 2nd largest peak in California. This mountain ”peak”, called Mt. Shasta, rises to 14,179’, creating something magical for miles around. Author John Muir, in 1874, said: “When I first caught sight of Mt. Shasta over the braided folds of the Sacramento River Valley, my blood turned to wine and I have not been weary since.” Aptly put!
The weather over Thanksgiving was unseasonably nice. Mark and I drove up to Bunny Flat and set
out on a hike up to the Sierra Club Hut which is at about 8000’. Sunshine and blue skies above provided a great day to get out to enjoy some fresh air and exercise before eating Thanksgiving dinner!
One young fellow we ran into was a banker living in L.A. who had recently moved there from Michigan. Unfamiliar with other parts of California, he felt like he had found the “real” California! He was running with his very shiny boxer named Cash! He described the friendliness he had met everywhere on his journey north and the views were enough to “knock his socks off!”
There is so much outdoor activity in the area. Whether it’s hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, kayaking, swimming, golfing, mountain biking you are interested in, you will have a wonderful backdrop.
There are also some unique shops and restaurants to enjoy. One of my favorite clothing stores is called Directions on the main street and is worth a stop each time I visit. Having a “cup of Joe” and breakfast at the Stage Door (also evening entertainment here) or find a new book at the Village Book Store followed by a visit to Language Quest where you can find a map from just about anywhere on the planet. That was a real find for us. The Fifth Season will outfit you for any outdoor activity and we have known the owner, Leif, for years. He was extremely helpful to us during the years of outfitting our kids with ski/snowboard equipment.
While I’m writing this, I realize more and more just how much this smallish community has to offer. If you golf, the Mt. Shasta Resort is incredible while offering very pleasant accommodation near Lake Siskiyou. From here, you are not far from Castle Craggs which has stupendous views and where you can cross country ski on Castle Lake in the winter.
The last thing I will mention at this point – as I could go on for days about the area – is the Mt. Shasta Ski and Board Park. This is where our kids were basically raised in the winter. One of them became an avid skier and the other an avid boarder. They both had great training through the junior program. To this day, they are hooked on snow! These guys love hiking the back country to get into fresh powder to get “the shot” on film.
For me, having grown up in Minnesota and ending up not loving snow, I can’t believe my kids cannot live for long without it. But, I am thankful for the close proximity of this amazing place – Mt. Shasta – and all that it entails and all the joy it’s provided the Lascelles’ family over the 26 years we’ve lived in the area.
No matter where you live in California or surrounding states, Mt. Shasta is worth a visit. In Redding, we are so lucky to have this phenomenal asset so close at hand. It’s another strong reason to live in the Northstate!
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YeaH YeaH YeaH!!!
Mt. Shasta rocks!! I love this place!! I saw snow for the first time at Mt. Shasta!! And aslo learned how to snowboard..
And this cabin.. a great place to spend the weekends, holidays and vacation!!
Miss it so much..
That is why I love the mountains of Colorado. The variety of things to do, places to go, things and people to see. You are lucky to have Mt Shasta so close so you can go up there whenever you want.
It is interesting that many of us have these wonderful opportunities on our doorsteps and don’t take advantage of them. Thanks for the reminder that there are fun places to go and see in our own back yard.
I guess I’m just going to have to visit Northern California some day.
Liz Morris
ME2 Railroad Services
http://www.me2rr.com
Guga: When you get back to the States from Brazil, let’s go boarding!
Liz: Come on out! I know you love the mountains and I’d love to show you around ours.
The cabin is great. You live in the perfect area Mary. Close to snow when you want it, but not bothered by it when you don’t. That’s a great pic of mark and Dubbo.
Sheilah
Sheilah -
That’s Mark alright but Dubbo got left behind. The pooch belongs to the store!
Hi Mary
That looks magical, what a great place to get away! Great pictures, awesome descriptions.
HG
Thanks for popping in, Helena!