Can you die without walking? A Journey to the American National Parks (23) The Jewel of Mt. Shasta ~Castle Lake~
Written by Sayaka Kato
Following on from the previous post in the series, this time we will introduce Castle Lake, Shasta
This area is just a short drive from Lake Siskiyou and Ney Springs and Faery Falls, which we visited last time
Castle Lake is completely frozen over in winter, and the area is surrounded by a pure white world of silver, but the road to the parking lot is still accessible in winter if you have a four-wheel drive vehicle and winter tires
In the winter, you often see people enjoying cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the mountains around Castle Lake, but from May to October, it becomes a place of relaxation for people to camp, swim, and engage in water activities such as kayaking and canoeing
In May and June, when the snow melts and the trails open up, it becomes possible to reach Heart Lake from the trail that starts at Castle Lake. Heart Lake is a glacial lake located in a valley in the rocky mountains behind Castle Lake
The view from here is also exceptional. Heart Lake is a place that only those with a special connection can reach
Nowadays, there are things like GPS, so you can rely on that to get there smoothly, but in the past, it was said that only those who could go could go there, as there seemed to be no trails
If you would like to learn more about the Mount Shasta area from the basics, please refer to our past trail introduction articles
Mount Shasta related articles
Heart Lake Hike Information (from Castle Lake)
- Parking: Castle Lake Rd, Mt Shasta, CA 96067
- Distance: Approximately 3.84km round trip (The trailhead begins southwest of Castle Lake, on the left side of the road)
- Starting point altitude: approx. 1658m
- Height difference: approx. 247m
Note: This is a very popular trail, so please choose the widest path and stay on the trail. Every individual's consideration helps protect the environment
You can swim in both Castle Lake and Heart Lake. Shasta is known as the Water City, with lakes everywhere, but the quality of the water is exceptional
This is proof that clean water, rich in minerals, is constantly circulating after being filtered over many years
When you reach Heart Lake, you can see the beautiful mountains that represent the Shasta area, including Mount Shasta, Black Butte, Mt. Eddy, and Mt. McLoughlin
If you climb further up the rocky mountain from Heart Lake, you will be rewarded with another spectacular view. If you are a strong walker, please be sure to watch your step (there are areas with sheer cliffs, so be careful)
It can get very crowded at certain times of the year, but many people enjoy the quiet time here, meditating or sitting on the shore of Heart Lake, so it's important to be mindful of not disturbing those around you
Bonus tip: Just before the Castle Lake parking lot (a 1-2 minute drive) there is a parking area along the road that can accommodate 1-2 cars and offers a great view of Mount Shasta and, to the left, Black Butte, also known as Baby Shasta
Precautions regarding the spread of COVID-19
As of August 2021, various countries are currently implementing various restrictions, including entry restrictions due to strengthened quarantine measures, restrictions on entry to national parks, and domestic travel restrictions. These conditions are subject to change without notice, so when traveling, be sure to obtain local information from each country's embassy or consulate, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Overseas Safety Website (Infectious Disease Risk Information), national park websites, and other sources, and check information on transit points, countries you plan to travel to, and the areas around the places you plan to visit before making reasonable plans and taking action
Sayaka Kato
Leave your California hiking and travel plans to us. Influenced by my father, I've always loved outdoor activities, and while living in Japan, I started hiking and touring national parks, which fascinated me with the natural beauty of America and Canada, ultimately leading me to my dream of visiting the United States. I currently run ANAMI TOURS, which offers local optional tours created together with customers, such as completely private hiking tours with Japanese guides. I'll introduce you to special options that I know only because I live in the area. If you're interested, please visit the website below
Related reading
Can you die without walking? A Journey to the American National Parks (22) The Jewels of Mt. Shasta - Ney Springs and Faery Falls
Can you die without walking? A Journey to the American National Parks (21) The Jewel of Mt. Shasta ~Lake Siskiyou~
Can you die without walking? A Journey to the American National Parks (24) The Jewel of Mt. Shasta ~Pluto's Cave~
McCloud Falls: Three Waterfalls of Rustic Beauty [Who Wants to Die Without Walking? A Journey to the American National Parks (35) The Jewel of Mt. Shasta]