Castle Crags State Park: One of the Best Trails I've Ever Been On

Castle Crags State Park in Northern California is right off the I-5 just south of Dunsmuir and it is part of the Shasta-Trinity Wilderness Area. The Pacific Crest Trail also runs through it.Castle Crags State Park hiking trail is an alluring peak that you can almost see from the highway, but then you have to turn off the I-5, pass the general store and then drive up the curvy little steep road after paying the fee at the ranger hut. Once you get to the parking lot up near the top is a viewing area where you can take in the view. This is also the entrance to the hiking trails.

Winding across fire roads and through pine forest you begin your ascent at a fairly easy gradient, then it gets increasingly steeper as you go up. You might spot a salmon in one of the creeks along the way. This hiking trail is a real treat. You are rewarded for your climbing efforts with a cool refreshing drink from a natural spring that flows right out of the top of the mountain.

This is one of the highlights. A number of miles in you'll see the sign pointing you to the water source-hiking those many miles up you'll need it, trust me, especially on a hot dry day like the one I hiked. The upper part of the trail is more difficult terrain, and you have to be careful as you scale large boulders, rock faces, and glacially formed crags (hence the name castle crags).

If you are an adrenaline-junky like me (but I don't recommend it) you can do some free climbing off the trail where some of the terrain is nearly vertical with huge slabs of stone teetering on craggy ledges. Again I would only recommend this to an experienced climber. This is very exhilarating to be above and to see the acres and acres of pine trees and sheer distance and depth and size of the mountains from there. It is truly something to behold. I hiked this trail last summer and it was enjoyable.

I first recommend that you pick up a State Park Pass for your car. They cost about 150 dollars but you quickly make back your investment if you frequent certain state parks. Otherwise entry fees will be at least 10 to 15 dollars every time you visit. Happy Hiking!