Check out the recent post from hiking guru John Soares about the Siskiyou Wanderers April schedule. The Wanderers is an informal group of locals who schedule hikes year round – so they know where to go as we’re all waiting for the snow to melt to expose the higher trails. Visitors can join the Wanderers – just give them a call ahead of time (you’ll find contact info on their website). April’s hikes will take you all over Siskiyou County – from Lovers’ Leap in the Scott Valley to Black Mountain outside of Montague to the Carter Mountain ski/snowshoe planned for April 2nd.
You’ll also find lovely spring hiking at Castle Crags State Park. Right now the spring run off is creating numerous small, seasonal waterfalls that can only be enjoyed this time of year. You can access the Pacific Crest Trail from in the Park, or from farther up Castle Creek Road at the Dog Trail (so named because you can take your dogs there, whereas they are not allowed in the Park). From the Dog Trail you climb up to the PCT. Head northbound when you hit the PCT (that’s left if you’ve lost your bearings) and hike for an hour or so to see Burstarse Falls – a local favorite. Plan to bring a picnic lunch to savor at the falls before hiking back out. It’s a bit early, but keep your eye out for emerging wildflowers – the Crags is known for its orchids. For a complete description of the Burstarse Falls hike, go to the Mt. Shasta Trail Association’s site. You’ll also find detailed descriptions of other hikes in Castle Crags State Park.
Head down to Dunsmuir tonight, Thursday, March 26th, for “When Water Was King”, a presentation by historian Craig Ballenger about the 19th century resorts, like Shasta Springs and Upper Soda Springs, that peppered the Sacramento River canyon. Ballenger, a Mt. Shasta native and author, will share tales of mineral springs health resorts that touted their “restorative” waters. As many a 17 were once built along the canyon from Sims Campground, south of Dunsmuir, to the Mount Shasta City Park. Ballenger will talk about the rise of the mineral spring health movement and the local resorts that drew people north, often by train, to come partake of the health benefits of soaking in Mt. Shasta’s mineral waters. Remnants of some of those resorts can still be seen today out in the woods along the river and feeder streams.
“When Water Was King” begins at 7pm at the Brown Trout Cafe and is sponsored by the Upper Sacramento River Exchange. Come early for dinner at the Brown Trout or one of Dunsmuir’s other fabulous restaurants. If you come even earlier you can head over to Tauhindauli Park (one of the River Exhange’s projects) to walk to new trail extension heading up river. The Brown Trout is located t 5841 Sacramento Ave in downtown Dunsmuir. Admission is free.
If you’re looking for adventure this weekend, head out to Happy Camp for the Klamath Siskiyou Art Center’s opening of “Wood”. Friday, March 27th the show will open with Mid-Eastern dinner, followed by tasty deserts. The show is one of a series of medium-themed shows. Last month’s show was “Clay,” and coming in April, along with a ceramics sale, is “Paper”. The show openings are held the last Friday of the month at the Art Center, located on the corner of Highway 96 and Davis Road. For more info call (530) 493-5668 or email alan@ksartcenter.org.
For more of what’s coming up this weekend, visit our calendar.
Keep in mind that in a few months Happy Camp will the be hub of summer whitewater rafting. Three day trips out of Happy Camp provide a wonderful excursion for families as you play in the water, camp on sandy beaches and spend time together under the stars. A number of guide services offer trips on the Klamath, from Happy Camps three-day trips, to one day floats from Tree of Heaven to heart pounding adventures on the Upper Klamath. You can find contact info for guide services on our guides page.
There has been much in the news about the fall chinook run, the state of California’s fisheries, the dam removal debate raging on the Klamath River and what this means for fisherman and river-related recreation. The Nature Conservancy took a big step in protecting and restoring the health of Klamath River this week when it announced the purchase of 4,000+ acre Shasta Big Spring Ranch in the Shasta Valley. Two important tributaries, the Shasta River and Big Springs Creek, run through the ranch, which provide cool water for salmon and steelhead spawning. These waterways will now be protected and restored after years of being comprimised by grazing cattle. According the The Nature Conservancy’s press release, this purchase will bring protection for the Shasta River for up to 20 miles downstream, thus securing ” one of the last and best strongholds for coho and other salmon species in California.”
The Nature Conservancy has had a hand in several Siskiyou County projects, including its long-standing holding on the McCloud River. The McCloud River Preserve is a wonderful, 2,300 acre preserve with three miles of hiking trails and limited access for fisherman. It’s also one of the earliest trails open for late spring hiking! It’s a remote setting, 20 miles outside of the town of McCloud and requires a walk in from the parking lot at the end of the road. At the trailhead you’re asked to carry in a piece or two of firewood for the caretakers who live in this off-the-grid location.
Walking along the river you may see a host of wildflowers (usually fairly early in the season, say May-ish), dogwoods in bloom, butterflies, osprey and eagles overhead, otters frolicking and the glimmering, clear waters of the McCloud River. Think of it as a scavenger hunt – bring your wildflower and tree books, make sure the camera’s charged, pack a lunch and head out for adventure. Be prepared to be immersed in wilderness – while the Nature Conservancy does have a cabin (for the caretakers), fish cleaning and picnic structures it is othewise a setting free from the constructs of humans – you’re entering wilderness.
The McCloud River Preserve trail generally opens sometime in April (it all depends on snow pack). One way to get a sense for whether it has opened or not is to check with the McCloud Ranger Station (530.964.2184) to find out if the road to Ah-Di-Na Campground is open. You can also call the Nature Conservancy’s San Francisco office (415.777.0487) to inquire about conditions as well as to reserve one of the 5 available fishing permits (5 are available on a first-come, first-served basis for walk-ins). Check out the Nature Conservancy’s McCloud River Preserve page to get more info about this great area.
If you’re planning on heading out, be sure to stop in the town of McCloud to stock up on what you’ll need for the day. The White Mountain Soda Fountain and Chocolate Cafe (both in the Mercantile building) offer picnic lunches. The McCloud General Store and the McCloud River Mercantile provide fishing, camping and picnicing supplies. Gas up, stop at the grocery store, and pick up nature guides at the McCloud Book Gallery, if you didn’t bring your own. Be prepared to spend the day out at the Preserve, because once you arrive you won’t want to leave. Find a spot along the river to sit down in the sunshine and enjoy the peaceful quiet that is alive with the sounds of wild life. It’s a magical place.
Directions to the McCloud River Preserve
From Interstate 5:
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Take State Highway 89 east to the town of McCloud.
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Turn south at the Exxon station onto Squaw Valley Creek Road (reset your odometer at the turn).
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Follow the signs nine miles to McCloud Reservoir (“Lake McCloud”).
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Stay right, following the road above the reservoir’s west shore until you have driven 11.4 miles from the turn off Highway 89.
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Turn right onto a dirt road and follow the signs to Ah-Di-Na Campground six miles ahead (17.4 miles from Highway 89). This dirt road – very rough and rocky, narrow in spots, winding but not steep – is negotiable in a two-wheel-drive vehicle as long as it hasn’t rained or snowed recently.
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The road dead-ends at the McCloud River Preserve parking area 1.1 miles beyond the campground. Park here and follow the foot trail one-third mile to the preserve headquarters. There is an informational kiosk, staff residence and a sign-in booth at the preserve headquarters.
The 4th annual Free Dogsled Rides & Educational Day for Kids is set for Sunday, March 29th from 11 am till 2 pm outside of Mt. Shasta. Bring your kids and grandkids for a short ride with a team of sled dogs and the chance to talk with mushers and skijorers (skiers pulled by dogs). Dogsled Express mushers Pat Campbell, Rick Cook, and Trevor Mitchell and their highly trained sled dogs giving short rides to children ages 4 through 10.
Siskiyou Snow Dog Sporting Association, with the support of Dogsled Express Rides and Racing and the Yreka Kiwanis Club, is conducting the event at the Dogsled Express rides location between the Mt. Shasta Nordic Center and Mt. Shasta Ski Park on Ski Park Highway off of Highway 89 between Interstate 5 and McCloud. Sign in is at 10:30am and rides will begin at 11 am and continue til 2 pm.
While you’re there you can learn about the Siskiyou Sled Dog Races, held in January, that brought distance teams, sprint racers and skijoring teams to the Deer Mountain Snowmobile Park for three days of racing. This is a great time for kids to get to know the dogs and enjoy a winter snow setting.
Rides will be given on a first come in first serve basis. Due to limited parking at the new Ski Park Highway location, there will be Snow Dog volunteers to help you park. Possible overflow will be handled by issuing numbers at a “Drive-through” and an approximate time to return will be given. So pack a picnic, bring your sleds, skis, and snowshoes for a family snow day!
Here’s the description of a coming event: The Tweaksters –
Join “The Tweaksters,” two quirky performers with six-pack abs of steel, dancers’ grace, zaniness, and a penchant for juggling, black light and heavy lifting, as they bring the “ooh-ahh” factor in their acrobatic, balletic feats of strength and balance to the College of the Siskiyous theater in Weed on March 29th.
This juggling, balancing, object-manipulating, off-the-wall team is captivatingly fun. Their innovative mix of acrobatic dance and artistic juggling blends pure athletic creativity with odd objects in a rhythmic, crazy cool performance designed to tweak and delight audiences of all ages. With the Tweaksters, you can’t imagine what you’ll experience next. From ping-pong air raids to glow-in-the-dark illusions to skillful feats of strength and balance, this pulse-quickening adventure keeps audiences oohing and aahing. Sometimes regarded as “The Blue Man Group without the paint,” the Tweaksters use their athletic prowess and fertile imaginations to deftly manipulate flower pots, meteors, luminescent ropes, and galvanized pipes – not to mention each other – tweaking all the way.
The show is Sunday, March 29, 2009 at 2 p.m. in the College of the Siskiyous Kenneth W. Ford Theater. General admission tickets are $20, senior citizen tickets (60 years and older) are $19 and children 12 and under are $12. For groups purchasing 20 or more tickets, the cost is $15 per ticket. For additional information, call the Weed Campus Foundation Office at (530) 938-5373 or toll-free (888) 397-4339.
Our friends at Sacred Mountain Spa in Mt. Shasta are hosting a Spa Beauty Bash Friday, March 27th from 5:30 to 7pm. Scotty is promising free brow design, chair massage, spray tanning, and makeup application featuring Bare Escentuals, along with music, champagne and chocolate.Yummy.
Sacred Mountain is the place to go, whether you want to soak in a tub, let go of your troubles in the sauna or turn your body over to one of their skilled massage practitioners (everybody has their favorite). They’re also offering a “Stimulus Special” – a 30 minute sauna and a 30 minute chair massage for only $30. I highly recommend it if you’ve only got a little bit of time and you need a pick-me-up. If you’ve got more time, check out the slew of packages the Spa offers, designed to put your in a state of bliss that will last the rest of the day. Let yourself be pampered.
Sacred Mountain is located in downtown Mt. Shasta at 412 N. Mt. Shasta Blvd. Call them at 530.918.9229.
The Mt. Shasta Ski Park recently got a nice review on Best Ski Resorts. We’ve had some fine spring skiing at the Ski Park lately, with lots of blue bird days. The Revolution Terrain Park is hosting the night Rail Jam Friday, March 20th (registration 2:30-4:30, event starts at 5pm). Coming up on the race hill through March: The Over the Hill Classic is Saturday, March 28th and the Gene Landsmann “Super Slalom” is Sunday, March 29th. You can find more info about these gentle, friendly races at the Mt. Shasta Ski Team website. Keep an eye out for demo days at the Ski Park as well – you can try out some new skis or a snappy new board, thanks to local shops The Fifth Season and Shasta Basecamp.
While you’re in the area, stop by the Mt. Shasta Nordic Center where conditions have been great lately for skate skiing. The locals have been out enjoying the trails, and new comers can sign up for lessons on the weekends. Coming up on March 21st the Nordic center will celebrate at the Ernie Woodfield Party Tour, a tribute to a long-time skier and teacher that includes poker on skis and fun and games for all ages.
If you’re coming up for spring skiing, Dunsmuir is a great place to stay. You can enjoy beautiful days on the slopes, and then come back to this Sacramento River town that is the first to show signs of spring. Cave Springs Motel offers rooms, rustic cabins and vacation rentals not far from the river and the Dusnmuir Botanical Gardens. At the other end of town, the Dunsmuir Lodge boasts four acres of beautiful land that comes alive in the spring. As an added bonus, Dusnmuir has the best dining in the county: Cafe Maddalena’s, Sengthong’s and the Cornerstone Cafe. Also see the recent post on new comer, A Wild Thyme Cafe.
Come on up for spring skiing and a nice stay in Dunsmuir. It’s a great place to get away without having to spend a great deal of money. Keep an eye out for the dogwood and red bud – they’re usually the first trees to bloom, bringing white and pink flowers to the canyon.
Films from Telluride’s MountainFilm Festival in Colorado will be showing March 14th at the College of the Siskiyous in Weed at the 8th annual Shasta Mountain Film Festival. Award-winning international films with stunning cinematography educate and inspire audiences about issues that matter, cultures worth exploring, environments worth protecting, and conversations worth sustaining. A MountainFilm presenter will bring the films to life by setting each in its proper context, weaving a narrative thread for additional fun. The event, sponsored by the Mount Shasta Bioregional Ecology Center, will feature films with themes of adventure, mountaineering, remarkable personalities, and important environmental and social messages.
The feature of the evening is “Asiemut”,a film by a French Canadian couple who biked 8,000 km from Mongolia, through the deserts of China, across the mountains of Tibet and Nepal, all the way to the mouth of the Ganges River in India. Their film tells the tale of the journey – adversity and joy, discoveries of cultures, and love shared by the two young adventurers. “Losing the Elephants”, “Shikashika”, “Global Focus: Mexico”, “Via Bearzi”, “Red Gold” and “Carpa Diem” are among some of the films to be shown. For a description of these films visit the Telluride MountainFilm Festival website.
The Henry Ford Theater doors open at 5:30 p.m. for tasty refreshments, live music by harpist Anne Johnson, and an opportunity to view a variety of raffle items donated by local merchants. Films will begin at 6:30 p.m. and run through 10 p.m. with a bonus feature following for those who enjoy a late-night treat.
Tickets are $20 at the door; $16 in advance. Advance tickets can be purchased by cash or check at Village Books or Shasta Base Camp in Mount Shasta, The Brown Trout Gallery in Dunsmuir, COS Bookstore in Weed, and Nature’s Kitchen in Yreka. Advance tickets may also be purchased by credit card, by calling the Ecology Center at 926-5655.
Stop in at the Siskiyou County Fairgrounds for the 2009 Siskiyou Sportsmen’s Expo. There will be a trout fishing pond for the kids, a display of record-size antlers, and a rock climbing wall, along with demonstrations, local and regional vendors and an antler competition you can enter. Give yourself time, as there is a lot going on. The Top Camp Cook competition offers a new barbeque as the top prize, and there is free measuring for the head and horn display ( you can bring in your rack). If you’re looking to learn more about certain outdoor pursuits, there are fly tying demonstrations, taxidermy information, packing demonstrations and the kids can learn something new at the archery range. It’a a fun time to learn more about some of the outdoor recreation that happens here in Siskiyou County.
This year’s vendors include: Back Country Horsemen Club/Top of the State Unit, Cold Steel Safe Company, Inc, the Iron Gate Hatchery, Julie’s Pantry & Delux Confectionery, folks from the Klamath National Forest, North Country Lures & Flies, Pen-Tac Lures, Siskiyou Bowmen and Field Archers, the Siskiyou Fly Fishing Association, Siskiyou Houndsmen & Sportsmen, wildlife artist Steel Robert Ross, Yreka Ducks Unlimited and others.
The event is March 14th, from 10am to 4pm at the Siskiyou Golden Fairgrounds in Yreka. Admission is $3 for adults and free for kids 12 and under. For more information call 530.842.2767.
Recreation | Renee @ visitsiskiyou March 31, 2009 | 
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