When the lake is dry!

This year, 2021, marks the 4th or 5th serious drought I've experienced on Lake Shasta. Each time our dock has gone dry for the season, it's nudged me to go exploring the many other beautiful areas within and around the Shasta-Trinity NF.

This past few weeks I've explored to Lassen NP, Scott Valley and Kangaroo Lake on the Klamath NF, Castle Crags, and Castle Lake/Heart Lake, and Mt Shasta Bunny Flats to the Old Ski Bowl where I learned to ski many, many years ago. Every turn has been nothing short of breathtaking. Returning from King Creek Falls to have a beautiful big cinnamon American Black Bear cross our path; the Shasta Alligator Lizard I almost missed while taking another picture on the Upper Sacramento River Trail at Castle Crags; volunteering with the Mt Shasta Trail Association on their wonderful efforts to create a defined trail from Castle Lake to Heart Lake and then returning for a group hike the very next day; and, taking the scenic route - always!! Yesterday that was take FS26 and FS25 from Castle Lake back down around Castle Crags rather than I5.

There are many, many tough issues and hardships during drought years, but there are also silver linings. Go explore - there's still so much beauty out there to behold.

Posted on June 14, 2021 03:15 AM by lattedray