Alpine lakes are open, wildflowers are blooming
This weekend was a great time for fishing, whether you went to the kids fishing day at the Mt. Shasta Fish Hatchery or headed up high for some alpine lake fishing. When we stopped in at Gumboot Lake about mid afternoon the fish were jumping, and plenty of fisherman were plying the waters (pictured right).
The great news is that the high roads around the Mt. Shasta area are generally open now. The road up South Fork is clear well beyond the Gumboot summit, so you can go to Gumboot and Toad Lakes, hike the Pacific Crest Trail both north and south bound and view the early summer wildflowers. As we headed home from Toad Lake at dusk, enjoying the glimpses of the mountain, we saw a young bear leap from a tree and quickly disappear in the undergrowth. It’s a great time of year to get out in the wilderness – still fairly cool at night if you’re camping, but not too warm during the day.
Check with the Mt. Shasta Ranger Station about what roads and lakes are open. Be sure to ask at the front counter, as sometimes the information board out front hasn’t been recently updated. The road up South Fork and the road to Castle Lake are clear, although there is still some ice on Castle Lake as of mid-June. The Parks Creek road is the last to clear due to the snow drift, but you can park at the drift and hike into the lakes (it can add another mile or so each way to your hike, depending on where the drift is). Be aware that the trail to Deadfall Lakes does hold some snow into June, so you’re going to get your feet a bit wet.
It’s a great time to see the California pitcher plants coming up, along with bear grass blossoms and a host of delicate wildflowers along creeks, bogs and meadows.
Tags: alpine lakes, camping, fishing, hiking, wildflowers
Recreation | Visit Siskiyou June 15, 2008