Vacation at Mt. Shasta: Activities for Everyone Year Round

By Stephen Daniels

There really is a place with something for everyone - Mt. Shasta, California, where the wide-ranging delights are waiting for you year-round. Vacation at Mt. Shasta and feast your senses on pristine nature preserves and glorious national parks, indulge your passion for outdoor adventures, explore the quaint and historic city, all surrounded by magnificent landscape.

The 14,179-foot volcanic peak offers not-to-be-missed thrills for experienced climbers along with tamer trails for bouldering and climbing. Skiers from beginner to expert will find runs to match their skills and challenge their abilities. Groomed trails include terrain parks to wow boarders. Cross-country skiers will find their due in exciting wilderness trails. The area's Ski Park offer 31 cross-country runs, including a trail for skiers with their dogs, and a smaller course just for kids.

Winter treats include ice skating on the West Coast's largest outdoor rink, together with snowshoeing, sledding, and dog sledding. Bring your own dogs or rent a team upon arrival. Snowmobiling trails and ice fishing venues add to the winter sports lineup.

As weather warms, the melting Siskiyou River brings whitewater excitement to a vacation at Mt. Shasta with rafting and kayaking adventures to match any level of expertise. Gentle family trips can be arranged as easily as epic excursions down rousing waters. Conventional and fly fishermen of all persuasions can catch bass, sunfish, and trout in streams, rivers, and alpine lakes. Hunters will find their fill of ducks, geese, deer, and other wild game.

Backpacking and hiking trips can take you from green valley to full desert, and from lava tubes to high altitudes. If you'd rather ride, horseback trips are an excellent way to experience the scenic display, either on your own or with a guide. Find wide, quiet bicycling roads, dirt trails, extraordinary downhill runs, and the most challenging day ride in the Western U.S.

Golfers can find a variety of courses like the Magnificent Monster, an 18-hole championship green, and more challenging like the Weed's difficult putting. Caves and lava tubes aplenty are waiting for spelunkers. Pan for gold, cruise by air in a balloon, or just kick back and camp out.

Historic downtown is a haven of art galleries, museums, coffee houses, antique stores, vintage clothing shops, and cafes. Visit the fish hatchery, prowl museums, or drop by Mt. Shasta Brewery for beer, brats, and dogs. Catch a Japanese drumming performance or learn about Native American Heritage. Whether you want to see pastoral farms or just watch birds, 4 seasons at Mt. Shasta lets you have it all.

Whether this is a weekend get-away, or a two week vacation, there are a variety of accommodations to suit every taste and budget, so if you plan your next vacation here, you won't be disappointed; 4 seasons at Mt. Shasta lets you have it all.

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