Day Two: Bike Riding and Hiking
We spent our second day just exploring the area around Mt Shasta and McCloud. We started the day with a bike ride up the scenic Everett Memorial Highway which takes you to the original ski resort that was taken out in an avalanche more than 25 years ago. To read more see our Bicycling section.
The afternoon brought us to the old lumber mill town of McCloud. We spent a bit of time at their local museum and then headed east on Hwy 89 about seven miles to the river loop on the McCloud River. There are three waterfalls named simply the Upper, Middle and Lower Falls that are all within about 2 miles with a very nice trail between
them that you can hike, or you can just about drive up to each one if you would rather. The photography is great and the river has some deep, cool pools for swimming. It’s a nice side trip.
That evening took us back up Everett Memorial Highway to the site of the old ski resort and the views of sunset over the Trinities. The colors were amazing. There is quite a crowd that gathers at the end of the road in the evenings, so get there early for a good viewing, especially if it is a weekend night.
Day Three: The Trinity Alps
The day we decided to make our run out to Trinity County we were destined to fail from our late start and the fact we were unprepared. Instead of devoting the whole day to our true destination, we decided to make a quick hike up Black Butte, the jab of a volcanic neck you can see for miles next to the city of Mt. Shasta and Hwy 5. The hike is 5 miles round trip and about 2000 feet of climbing. The road to the trail is not well marked and we would never have found it without the map from the Forest Service
Visitors Center. The trail is a very steady climb up the cone and circles around the lower side and then up the back to the actual peak. The surface is mostly good, but at many points is rocky and can be slippery. Don’t take this trail if you are afraid of heights, it is narrow and there are some pretty good drop offs. Take lots of water with you and plan at least 3 hours to make the round trip. The 360 degree view from the top is worth every ounce of effort. WOW, you just can’t get pictures that do it justice! Continued ...
