The Shasta Cascade Region

The Shasta Cascade region of California is located in the northeastern and north-central sections of the state bordering Oregon and Nevada, including far northern parts of the Central Valley and the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The area is centered on Mount Shasta in the California Cascade Range, near the Trinity Alps. Mount Shasta is a dormant volcano; nearby Lassen Peak is recently active.

The civic "capital" of the Shasta Cascade area is Redding; other cities and towns are Alturas, Biggs, Chico, Dunsmuir, Mt. Shasta, Red Bluff Oroville, Weed, Fall River, Burney, and Yreka. Counties included in the Shasta Cascade region include Butte, Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Siskiyou, Tehama and Trinity.

There are seven national forests in the area: Klamath National Forest, Lassen National Forest, Mendocino National Forest, Modoc National Forest, Plumas National Forest and Shasta-Trinity National Forest, as well as the Lava Beds National Monument.

The area is also well-known for its numerous lakes, rivers, and waterfalls, including Shasta Lake, Trinity Lake, Lake Almanor, Eagle Lake, and Lake Siskiyou, the Sacramento River, McCloud River, and Trinity River, as well as Mossbrae Falls, the McCloud River Falls, and Burney Falls.

Numerous parks and recreation opportunities fill the area including Shasta Lake, Lake Siskiyou, Castle Crags State Park, a new park at Upper Soda Springs, the Trinity Alps, Lava Beds National Monument, Clair Engle Lake, Castle Lake, Lassen Volcanic National Park, Caribou Wilderness, Thousand Lakes Wilderness, and of course climbing Mount Shasta.

Geologically, this region is similar to the main Cascade Range, dominated by volcanism.

Historically, the Shasta Cascade region was home to Native Americans of the Modoc, Maidu, Okwanuchu, Paiute, Shasta, Wintu, and Yana tribes, and sub-groups of those tribes.

The first non-Native Americans entered the Shasta Cascade region by coming south along the Siskiyou Trail from Oregon, or north along the Siskiyou Trail from central California or the San Francisco Bay Area. These earliest explorers were likely British and American fur-trappers and traders in the 1820s and 1830s, although it is possible that Spanish explorers reached the southern edge of the Shasta Cascade region before 1820.

The discovery of gold in 1851 at Yreka (and throughout Siskiyou and Trinity counties) brought California Gold Rush-era prospectors up the rivers of the region in search of gold, leading to the first non-Native American settlements in the area, including at Old Shasta, Portuguese Flat, Upper Soda Springs, Weaverville, and Yreka itself.

The poet Joaquin Miller writes in detail about this area in his 1870s novel, Life Amongst the Modocs, based on his own experiences as a young man living at the base of Mt. Shasta.

Beneath Lassen Volcanic's peaceful forests and gem-like lakes lies evidence of a turbulent and fiery past. Lassen Peak, the largest plug dome volcano in the world, erupted in 1914, with the last major volcanic activity recorded in 1921. All four types of volcanoes in the world plus active geothermal areas are found in Lassen Volcanic's 106,000 acres. Over 150 miles of trails and culturally significant scenic highway provides access to the volcanic wonders including steam vents, mudpots, boiling pools, volcanic peaks, and painted dunes. Other activities in the park include fishing Manzanita, Juniper and Butte Lakes, cross-country skiing, free guided snow shoeing hikes, canoeing on Manzanita Lake, visiting Loomis Museum's exhibits or just enjoy the scenic drive along the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway - All American Road - which connects Lassen VNP to Crater Lake National Park in Oregon. Accommodations for the park are the historic Drakesbad Guest Ranch (the only accommodations in the park itself) to cozy cabins, lodges and motels near the north entrance to the park, or in nearby Chester. The park is also well known for its scenic forested campgrounds.

Take a drive to the Burney area, where you'll enjoy scenic vistas, cool mountain air, rich agricultural land and trout filled streams! About 6 miles east of Burney, is what Theodore Roosevelt called the "eighth wonder of the world", McArthur Burney Falls State Park. The most spectacular feature of the park itself, located in the beautiful evergreen forests of the Pit River country, is the 129-foot tall Burney Falls. It is not the highest, nor the largest in the state, but certainly among the most beautiful. What makes Burney Falls so unusual in the world of waterfalls, is the never-changing water volume, with more than 100 million gallons of spring fed waters going over the falls every day. A short hike down to the falls provides great photo opportunities, a chance to view wildlife, and feel the cool refreshing spray of the falls. The park also features a campground, picnic sites, trails and other facilities with two miles of frontage along Burney Creek. Lake Britton is also in the park, and provides a relaxing alternative to larger resort setting types of lakes, while still providing a great getaway for swimming, fishing, or boating.

Chester, a town with a very large pool in its back yard - Lake Almanor, originally developed as a logging and sawmill community. The Chester Museum, offering a photographic history of the Chester/Lake Almanor Basin, as well as artifacts and basketry of the Maidu Indians will give you a glimpse of the town's history. Another attraction of historical significance is the Chester Library - the only log cabin library remaining in the State of California. Walk around and enjoy the quaint little shops, galleries, coffee houses, or bowl at a bowling alley that over 8 decades the building it's located in has served as a dance hall, café, recreation center and pool hall. Lake Almanor, which is not subject to a seasonal drawdown, is known for its wide variety of water-based recreational activities - great fishing, water skiing, jet skiing, floating on air mattresses, or just kicking back on a sandy beach reading your favorite book. There are numerous access points to the Westwood Trail on the lake which offer great hiking and biking.

Chico, founded in 1860 by General John Bidwell, is a place to capture hometown spirit, college town energy and get- back-to nature appeal. Adventures abound in Chico, home to Bidwell Park, the third largest municipal park in the United States. The park, donated by Annie Bidwell (widow of General John Bidwell), is one of the most diverse and pristine parks in America. 3,700 acres offer picnicking, swimming, equestrian and bicycle trails, golf, archery, and much more! The park has even served as a location set for Sherwood Forest in the classic 1937 film "The Adventures of Robin Hood"! Spend an afternoon strolling through quaint downtown Chico or touring historic sites such as Stansbury House, an example of 1800's Victorian architecture, or Bidwell Mansion, now a State Park, built by General Bidwell who was a member of the first covered wagon train to California, and an early winner in the discovery of gold. Other notably attractions include the Chico Museum, Chico State University's Meridian Library, the largest library north of Sacramento, the 1892 vintage train station, now home to a wonderful art gallery. Other things to see and do include golfing in magnificent natural settings, or touring Sierra Nevada Brewery, the largest microbrewery in the United States. Chico is a treasure trove of arts and cultural activities. View murals on walls, see glass making at its finest, visit numerous art galleries, or visit the National YoYo Museum.

Red Bluff combining the Victorian era with a strong western heritage, was an important part of California's gold rush, when its location on the Sacramento River made it the termination point for river ferry traffic. This was as far as the river would allow ferries to go north towards the northern gold fields. Red Bluff was also home to the first and only president of the short-lived California Republic, William B. Ide. His original adobe home has been fully restored and is now part of the William B. Ide Adobe State Historic Park, which also includes a carriage house, blacksmith shop and visitors center. Visit the Kelly Griggs Museum, a classic two-story 1880's Victorian turned museum. Elegantly renovated rooms with Victorian garbed mannequins "live" among the authentic antique furnishings and give a feel of actually stepping back into what life was like in the 1880's. Lake Red Bluff., part of the Red Bluff Recreation Area, encompasses 488 acres of diversified habitat adjacent to the Sacramento River, just two miles from Red Bluff. This land is managed by the Mendocino National Forest and is also home to the Sacramento River Discovery Center, which features watershed exhibit and offers a unique birding experience. Camp sites are available at Lake Red Bluff.

River rafting along the Trinity River offers a thrilling raft trip or a calm, gentle float - several raft companies offer a wide variety of river experiences for ½ day, full day or multi-day trips. If you prefer a lake experience, you'll find Trinity Lake just below the jagged peaks of the Trinity Alps. This lake is a premier destination for water sports enthusiasts - houseboating, swimming, fishing, and wake boarding. Hiking trails abound in the Trinity Alps Wilderness where numerous trailheads will take you to some of the most beautiful high alpine lakes, guaranteed to make you fell like you are on top of the world! Area attractions include Joss House Taoist Temple, built in 1874 and now a state park, offering a glimpse into the culture and religion of thousands of Chinese miners. For a glimpse into what life was like for American Indians, gold miners and early white settlers of Trinity County visit the Jake Jackson Memorial Museum. Art flourishes in Weaverville, a thriving art community, with several galleries, including Highland Art Center and Sam Lee Folk Art Center, where local arts are proudly displayed. Wine tasting is at its best in the area - award winning Alpen Cellars or Meredith Family Vineyard.

One of just 22 All American Roads in the United States and one of two in California, the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway connects Lassen Volcanic National Park in Northern California and Crater Lake National Park in Southern Oregon. The volcanic activity of the Cascade Range has created unique geological formations that can only be seen in this part of America. Travelers along the byway will experience scenic beauty and rich history and culture as they travel through vast landscapes of volcanic wonders, dense forests, broad wetlands, pastoral grasslands, and along clear swift streams and rivers. These wide open spaces make the countryside adjacent to the byway an ideal setting for hiking adventures, great fishing and whitewater boating. The small towns and settlements will provide a glimpse of a bygone era when people had the time to get together and chat, and went out of their way to be friendly. A few days along the 476 miles of the byway will excite your senses, refresh your soul and offer the possibility of taking your breath away at every bend in the road.

Surrounded by miles of rich agricultural lands, Gray Lodge Wildlife Refuge consists of 9,100 acres, and is one of the most intensively developed waterfowl marshlands in the entire United States. Wildlife viewing is available all year on this wildlife wonderland. Fall and winter offer a vast number of migratory waterfowl with lively chatter and incredible sights. A seasonal blind is available by reservation for the more avid photographers and viewers. There are excellent opportunities for hunting (one of the largest pheasant populations in the state), while fishing is a highlight in the spring and summer. Educational programs, informative exhibits, a self-guided nature trail and seasonal guided tours delight thousands of visitors every year.

Gold was first discovered along the Feather River by John Bidwell several weeks after the famous discovery at Coloma. Prospectors are still finding gold today along the river. Visitors can learn how to gold pan every Saturday during the summer at the Lake Oroville Visitors' Center. Pans, a water trough, and instructors are provided free of charge, and everyone is guaranteed to find color in their pans. Those who catch "gold fever" can strike out on their own along the banks of Lake Oroville, or along the middle fork of the Feather River at Milsap Campground.

Susanville, which serves as the recreational crossroads for the eastern part of the Shasta Cascade Region, is rich in history, and provides a wonderful opportunity to see a town that embraces a bygone era. A visit to the Lassen Historic Museum is a great start. The museum showcases artifacts and old time lumbering equipment, and is adjacent to Roop's Fort - the oldest structure in town providing the history of Susanville's last 150 years. The Susanville Historic Train Depot, is now a visitor's center and museum, which has been restored to its original condition. The Depot is also the official trailhead for the Bizz Johnson National Recreation Trail. The Trail, named in honor of former Congressman Harold T. Bizz, traverses a beautiful remote area that's inaccessible by roads so - no cars, no noise and no crossings for 25 miles along an old rail line. Eighteen miles of the trail are along the beautiful Susan River - just imagine great scenery -high desert, sheer canyons, surrounding mountains and meadows and the gorgeous seasonal fall colors of yellows, browns and greens. Eagle Lake, the second largest natural lake in California and is located 16 miles north of Susanville and known for the world famous Eagle Lake Trout. The lake offers campsites, miles of bike trails, and unlimited water sports activities.

Called "The Smiles of God" by Native Americans who originally inhabited the area, Modoc country has preserved the history of its first residents in museums and monuments. The Modoc County Historical Museum in Alturas contains an extensive collection of Pit River, Modoc and Paiute Indian artifacts. Displays depict everyday life and rituals from prehistoric times through the era of the Modoc Wars 125 years ago. Captain Jack's Stronghold, site of the tragic standoff between the U.S. Army and a small band of Modoc Indians and their leader, Captain Jack, is now part of the Lava Beds National Monument. Visitors can take a self-guided interpretive tour through the lava outcropping. A walk through a maze of trails, caves, and protected lookouts makes it more understandable how for 5 months, 52 Modoc warriors were able to hold off a troop of 1000 U.S. Army soldiers.

Lava Beds National Monument is a place where you can smell the sage and juniper, listen to birds and hike miles of lava flows or developed trails. Volcanic eruptions on the Medicine Lake shield volcano have created an incredibly rugged landscape punctuated by cinder cones, lava flows, spatter cones, lava tube caves and pit craters. Explore caves created by the sudden cooling of lava flows, or visit the site of the only Indian war in California at the historic Captain Jack's Stronghold. The Stronghold, a natural lava fortress, is where a small band of 52 warriors and their families led by Captain Jack held off a force roughly 20 times its size for five months. Also in this area is where over 29,000 Japanese-Americans passed through the gates of Tule Lake Internment/Segregation Camp and where the CCC Camp housed up to 1,000 German and Italian prisoners of war. Just south of the Lava Beds is Medicine Lake's volcano, one of the largest shield volcanoes in the world. In actual mass, this volcano is larger than Mt. Shasta. Millions of eruptions over half a million years were gentle rather than explosive, covering more than 750 square miles of landscape with lava. A visit Glass Mountain offers fields of obsidian shining in the sun like black diamonds. At the crest of the mountain, Medicine Lake is a great place for camping, boating, swimming and fishing.

Plumas County's golf courses are renowned for their lush wooded settings and spectacular mountain backdrops. First rate golf, natural beauty and a plethora of other recreational opportunities makes Plumas County a world class golf destination. Graeagle has 3 championship golf courses including the award winning Whitehawk Ranch, Graeagle Meadows, and Plumas Pines. The Dragon at Gold Mountain has already developed a reputation for being one of the more challenging golf courses in Northern California. A variety of 9-hole courses around the Graeagle area can provide a unique golf experience at an affordable price. The course at Feather River Inn has served visitors to the area for decades, and the combination of staying at this historic inn and playing golf right outside your door should not be missed. The Lake Almanor area has two 9-hole golf courses, as well as the recent addition to the basin, 18-hole Bailey Creek.