Mt. Shasta Castle Craggs Trail is a sight to explore the majestic spires that rise over the area. [Can you die without walking?] Trip to American National Parks (43)]
Written by Sayaka Kato
I have previously published several trail articles around Mount Shasta, the sacred mountain, but Castle Craggs State Park is located near the small town of Dunsmuir, just before Shasta. Don't miss this either.
On the way to Shasta on Route 5 from the SF direction, you can see the granite Castle Crags, known as the Sage's Rock, in a cool view on your left, around 6 miles (9.6km) before Dunsmuir. The jagged rocky mountains with light gray are very cool.
It is 6,000 feet tall (around 1,830m) granite built over 170 million years ago, and is located in Castle Craggs Nature Reserve.
Castle Craggs State Park is open all year round and offers a variety of outdoor activities, including camping, picnicking, hiking and fishing.
This time we'll introduce you to the spectacular hiking trails that start from Castle Craggs State Park.
table of contents
Crags Trail to Castle Dome trail information
Access (car to the trailhead)
You will find this when you add 20022 Castle Creek Road Castella, CA 96017, or Castle Dome Trailhead, Castella, CA 96017 (or Castle Crags State Park) to Google Maps.
The trailhead is Vista Point Parking after entering the park.
What to bring
As before, make sure to prepare the same equipment as a typical American hike.
- Drinks (more in the summer)
- Cold weather clothing that can adjust the temperature (wind-proof shells are useful)
- hat
- sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Snacks and more for eating while hiking
- If you have a regular medicine, first aid such as medicine or band-aid
- Other things you prefer with your regular hiking equipment
Trail data
- For intermediate students
- Season: Best seasons from April to October (This photo is from June.)
- Round-trip distance: 8.69km (5.4 mi)
- Elevation difference from the trailhead: 670m
- Course time: Average 5.5 to 6.5 hours
You will first enter Castle Craggs State Park, located just off Highway 5 in Northern California, and pay a $8 admission fee at the entrance. Get information such as maps, follow the path, pass the campsite and head towards the Vista Point Parking area. That's where today's trailhead will be.
Trailhead: Vista Point Parking
Hiking departure from the trailhead (trailhead)
We arrived at Trailhead parking lot just after 9:30am. (With toilets) There were already many cars parked and there were only a few available spaces. As it was summer vacation, there were many children at the campsites in the park.
The park has 76 campsites, each with a picnic table, food lockers and a bonfire stand. Each campsite is equipped with a flush toilet, a shower and drinking water.
Once we've got ready, it's time to leave.
The first 1.5 miles (about 2.5km) is a shady walk through the forest and through the forest. The beginning starts with a flat road.
A fork sign will appear about 0.5 miles (just under 1 kilometer), so head towards Castle Craggs on the left.
The slope begins little by little. If you continue further, you will also be branching off to the Pacific Crest Trail, also known as the PCT. The slope continues, but the sun is not strong in the forest, so it's easy.
After I started walking, the view finally opened up.
The head of the Mount Crag can be seen in front of you, and the idea is to go close to it.
If you go further, you will see a fork marker with Indian Springs.
This is a perfect flat space, so we took a break here.
After the break, you will see a Castle Craggs sign, and from here you will actually enter the Castle Craggs Wilderness area.
The view that stretches deeper into the sky also gives you a clear view of Mt. Shasta.
From here, it is 1 mile to the foot of Castle Dome, today's destination. From here the slope becomes a full-scale steep slope. Then, we will climb from here to see an elevation difference of about 1,000ft (about 300m).
The trails are generally well maintained and easy to walk in, but there are some unstable places that look like rocky mountains.
The slope continues, but the weather is nice and the view is amazing.
View from about 6.5km. The first half was sunny and the second half was cloudy, making the perfect climate.
At some point the shade has disappeared, but it's not too hot as the altitude rises.
The uniquely shaped rocks also appear, and it seems like the Mount Crag is finally nearer.
We'll continue further in the last sprint.
At the end, there are several trails that go all the way to the finish line, so it may be a little difficult to understand, but the original trail has a sign of "Trail End".
It feels like the finish line comes suddenly, but of course the trail continues beyond that.
You are here at the foot of the Castle Dome, but if you go further back, you will find some spectacular views and easy to rest, so head to find a place to rest. You can see Craggs around here. It's cool. Rock climbing is also a very popular mountain.
Find a place to rest, leave your luggage and take a walk around the area.
The adventure continues without a break, seeking even more spectacular views. lol
There is a spectacular view beyond the viewpoint.
Enjoy the stunning views of the surroundings. After a break, we head back down the same path to the trailhead.
This is a recommended day hike with a spectacular view.
Kato Sayaka
Leave your California hiking and travel plans, including Yosemite National Park. Due to my father's influence, I have always loved outdoor activities, and since I was in Japan, I was captivated by the great nature of America and Canada, and as a result, I arrived at the United States, which I had longed for. We currently run ANAMI TOURS, which offers local optional tours that can be created with customers, including completely private hiking tours with Japanese guides. We will introduce you to some special options that you can find out because you are a local resident. If you are interested, please visit the website below.
