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21 Things to Do in Wintertime Siskiyou County
The treasures are in the journey, not only the destination..
Siskiyou County...Mount Shasta country...California's treasure at the top of the state. Three regions of our great county extend their welcome. In the south, at the foot of magnificent Mount Shasta, is the Alpine Vistas and Villages section. The Gold Country of the Mythical State of Jefferson fills the western reaches, while the Valleys and Volcanoes region stretches north of Mount Shasta and into the beautiful Klamath Basin.
We hope this list of Wintertime Things to Do, covering the months from December through March, will inspire your adventures and lasting memories.
Our list of activities is presented in no particular order, and the numbers are not intended to imply a rating. Our intent is to serve as a guide and an introduction, to inspire you to try something new, something you've never dared before, something you've been too busy to notice, something you've always dreamed of.
The treasures are in the journey, not only the destination. Take time to enjoy the adventures that await at every side road. Bon voyage and welcome to Siskiyou County in the wintertime.
1. Curl up in front of a cozy fire at one of our area's fine lodges. In Mt. Shasta, the Shasta Ranch B&B and Strawberry Valley Inn offer a warm welcome and a cheery fire. Or contact the McCloud Guest House, McCloud Hotel, Hogin House B&B or the Stoneybrook Inn. To find the perfect lodging for your visit, s ee our Siskiyou County Lodging page and click the area of the county you wish to explore.
2. A day of bald eagle watching at the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuges is a treat in winter months. From December through February, the Klamath Basin hosts the largest concentration of bald eagles in the contiguous United States. Some years more than 1000 of these majestic birds are present with most daytime use occurring at Lower Klamath and Tule Lake Refuges.
3. Learn to Shred Snowboarders are not just tolerated, THEY'RE WELCOME at Mt. Shasta Board and Ski Park. Join us on beautiful Mt. Shasta for ski and snowboard instruction! There is no better place on the planet to learn these exciting, fun sports.
4. Go Gallery Hopping Siskiyou County is home to a growing number of nationally acclaimed visual artists. From photographers to painters, sculptors to craftsmen...find current information on the art scene in the County at the Siskiyou Arts Council web site, and sign up there for the FREE monthly e-newsletter of Siskiyou Arts Events.
5. Treat yourself to a Snowmobile Adventure Snowmobilers are coming to Siskiyou County from as far north as Washingtion State and from Southern California. More than 250 miles of trails make up a network that can be accessed from four different trail parks. Links and rental information at our Winter Recreation page.
6. Take the Family Bowling. Nothing beats this classic recreation on a stormy winter day. Visit Cedar Lanes at 137 Main Street in Weed, or Siskiyou Bowling Lanes at1601 S. Oregon, Yreka. If you have young kids in the group, call ahead and ask if a lane can be set up with bumpers in the gutter...the pins fall with every ball!
7. Head to the Chariot Races in Butte Valley every Sunday thru February! Buy lunch at the chuck wagon, and share a warming fire with other race enthusiasts. Beautiful horses, wonderful chariots, pulse pounding action. Take 97 1/4 mile north of Macdoel to Sheep Mountain Road and follow the signs. Races begin at 1pm.
8. Just go Sledding. A weekend of snowplay is great family fun. Buy an inner tube from a local tire shop, or inexpensive sleds from a hardware store, If the road up the mountain is clear, head up to Bunny Flat on Mount Shasta, or drive Highway 89 to Snowman's Hill on the summit between Mt. Shasta and McCloud (just across the highway from the road leading to Ski Park). Stop by the Mt. Shasta Visitor's Bureau at 300 Pine Street in Mt. Shasta for detailed driving instructions and current road conditions.
9. Relax by the River. The Upper Sacramento River is rich in history and folklore. Wintertime brings a special look to the scenery at the Castle Crags State Park river access, with vistas of Castle Crags, the stark beauty of bare winter branches, and ice fringing the water during the two mile stroll. On your way back through Dunsmuir, stop by the Upper Sacramento River Exchange at 3819 Sacramento Avenue to explore their great displays, river ecology information, giftshop and events.
10. Step back in time in beautiful Scott Valley. Stay at one of the valley's fine Bed and Breakfasts and share an old-fashioned ice cream soda at Scott Valley Drug in Etna. Check out the Scott Valley Chamber website, and the new Etna website for more information.
11. Catch an Icy Fish. Ice fishing can be enjoyed on lakes where surface ice freezes thick enough to safely support people. Driving access is plowed to Castle Lake, a popular winter destination for back country skiing and boarding and snow shoe adventures. Access to Juanita Lake in Butte Valley is unplowed, so plan to ski in to lakeside. Both lakes are good bets for ice fishing by midwinter. Contact local ranger stations (listed in the Information Centers at our Services pages) for maps and information. Always test ice thickness before going beyond shallow water, and keep an eye on the weather!
12. Walk the Labyrinth at the Living Memorial Sculpture Garden in central Siskiyou County near Lake Shastina. The Sculpture Garden, created by Vietnam veteran and sculpture artist, Dennis Smith, was dedicated as a war memorial, but the huge metal sculptures evoke a powerful sense of striving for peace. The Living Memorial Labryinth features 5 pathways planned after the sacred labrynth at Chartres Cathedral in France. To reach the Sculpture Garden drive 13 miles northeast on Hwy 97. Entrance is on the left side of the highway, one mile past Road A12.
13. Tour Crystal Cave and Fern Cave Crystal Cave is a fragile, multilevel cave
full of spectacular ice features such as
frozen waterfalls, crystal footballs and
hoar frost (twinkles in the dark). No one
under 12 allowed, since it is a physically
challenging cave. Fern Cave is one large
open cave with a grove of ferns at one
end. It has the largest panel of
pictographs in the monument. It is a
spiritually significant site for many
peoples including the Klamaths and the
Modocs. These tours are weather
permitting. For reservations or more info
please call Lava Beds National Monument at
530-667-2282
14. Enjoy Cross Country Ski Since the winter of '91-'92, the Mt Shasta Nordic Center has been a wonderful asset to our community. Together we have made over 65,000 visits to enjoy its groomed trails and friendly atmosphere. Starting this year, however, a new era will begin as the Nordic Center opens under the management of membership supported Mt Shasta Nordic Ski Organization. Programs, events and vounteer opportunities abound !
15. Skate the Old Fashioned Way. Skate programs and public skate sessions are offered seven days a week, November through March, at Siskiyou Ice Rink, the largest outdoor ice rink on the west coast. Located in Mt. Shasta at Shastice Park, behind the High School, the rink offers extraordinary views of Mount Shasta, the Eddys and Black Butte. Skate rentals are available.
16. Take in a Play at the Siskiyou Performing Arts Center, a non-profit "mini" community theater located in the town of Yreka. Seating 80 audience members. SPAC's actors and production staff are all volunteers. SPAC produces at least three performances per year...check their web site www.siskiyou-spac.org for this year's schedule. The College of the Siskiyous Theater Department is another source of awesome local productions, with an always-great schedule that changes season to season.
17. Build a Snowman. After a fresh snowfall, there's no better family activity. Snowmen care wonderful, traditional or artistic, from a stack of snowballs topped with an old hat, to mounded snow carved and molded into fantastic shapes. A snow fort is a pretty cool idea too. Go for it!
18. If you can walk you can snowshoe! Rent a pair from House of Ski and Board Mt. Shasta and head out into the "winter wonderland." Or take the flagged trails at the Ski Park Nordic Center.
19. Enjoy a Great Cup of Joe in Mt. Shasta! Spend a pleasant hour or two with coffee and a good book...and watch the snow melt. Great coffee n a leisurly setting is found at Seven Suns - Has Beans Coffee House, at The Stage Door Cabaret, at Village Books, and at , at Snow Crest Internet Cafe where you can enjoy an espresso, Italian soda, soft drink as you soar on the Internet with their high speed connection at one of the terminals in the cafe!
20. Ski and Board the Backcountry Safely. Siskiyou County offers endless opportunities for exciting backcountry skiing, from Mount Shasta to the Eddys and the Marble Mountains. Back country areas are increasingly popular for telemark and nordic skiers, boarders and snowshoers. Guided backcountry ski instruction, trips and avalanche awareness seminars are available from many guide services...see the Mountaineering page on our website.
21. Capture the Season on Film. The wintertime world offers a glistening new gallery of great picture subjects. After a fresh snow, the landscape shimmers in a cloak that can isolate and emphasize people, wild birds, historic buildings, and the festive colors of winter sports. Dress warmly for a great outdoor experience. Warm boots, wool socks, a good hat, thermal underwear, an insulated parka, and good warm mittens will all help you concentrate on making better pictures.
Print this page and bring it along when you visit!
For a freeVisitors' Guide to the Mount Shasta Region click here and email your address. And please do not hesitate to phone or email us with your questions. We are here to serve you!
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