Mt Shasta: Center of The Universe
Native lore says Mt. Shasta isn’t just a mountain—it’s a portal. The Wintu and other tribes believe it’s sacred ground, while modern mystics claim a hidden civilization of Lemurians lives inside the volcano in a secret crystalline city called Telos. Spiritual seekers talk about the mountain as a vortex of energy, a cosmic charging station, and even the center of the world. Whether or not you buy into the mythology, the truth is simple: Mt. Shasta has a presence. It pulls you in, makes you feel small, and dares you to climb.
I came here buzzing, half from caffeine and half from the adrenaline itch I always get before a big ascent. My usual MO is push hard, climb high, and—if I’m being honest—get a little lost on the way down, which only adds to the adventure. This time I had my sidekick, Kodi, bounding beside me. She’s no stranger to epic landscapes after splashing through Umpqua River waterfalls and trotting the streambeds of Fern Canyon—there was no way she was missing this mountain mission.
Starting at the Base
First stop: the Ranger Station in town. The night before, our server Kimmy at The Harvest Restaurant had given us some local scoop on hikes, so we wanted the official download. Ranger Tim was a character—beard, sun-leathered face, and eyes that looked like he’d seen every inch of this mountain. He suggested starting a summit attempt from the Old Ski Bowl (a 7,500-foot launchpad for climbers) and backed up Kimmy’s tip that the McCloud Falls were worth the side trip.
From the ranger center’s front yard, the mountain looked so close it was like a painting hung just for us. I even tried calling Soul Connections, the local crystal-and-legends shop, to see if they had any ceremonies going on, but Mondays are apparently “mystical downtime.”
The Climb (Well, Sort Of)
Alan snapped a photo of Kodi and me at the trailhead—me grinning with my trekking pole, Kodi striking her best “mountain dog” pose. The path was less “trail” and more like a rocky drainage ditch, lined with fragile alpine flora. As we climbed, the rocks grew from gravel to boulders until it was basically a hands-and-feet scramble.
I had my camera on a stick in one hand and Kodi’s leash in the other, which wasn’t exactly REI-approved. Kodi gave me that look—You seriously expect me to hop that rock?—then glanced back down at the parking lot like she was reconsidering this whole mountaineering thing. By the time we reached around 9,500 feet, we called it. No 14,000-foot summit today, but still high enough to feel the thin air and the thrill.
Waterfall Recharge
Next up: the McCloud River Falls. About 20 miles east of Shasta, the falls are split into three tiers—Lower, Middle, and Upper—each one more gorgeous than the last. You can hike to all three or drive between them. After the rocky scramble, standing in the spray of those falls was pure bliss. Kodi approved, ears perked and nose twitching at every cool misty breeze.
Refueling in Town
Exhausted but happy, we rolled back into town and hit Casa Ramos, a local Mexican spot across from our hotel, the Shasta Inn. Salsa, chips, cold drinks—heaven. The regulars were mid-conversation on the patio but quickly pulled us in, swapping stories and recommending “must-sees.” One couple had visited Shasta once and never left, lured by the mountain’s peace, the four distinct seasons, and a kind of small-town rhythm that’s hard to find anymore.
Sacred Waters
Before leaving, we took their advice and stopped at Shasta City Park to see the Headwaters of the Sacramento River. The water literally bursts from underground springs at the base of the mountain—clear, cold, and said to hold healing properties. People filled up bottles, meditated nearby, or just soaked in the serenity. We spotted signs for a Tibetan celebration of the mountain but must’ve been too early for chanting and prayer flags.
Still, standing at the source felt like plugging into the same mystical current that gives Mt. Shasta its aura.
Onward
With the last look back at the peak glowing pink in the evening light, we loaded up Bessie and hit the road again. Next stop: Lassen Volcanic National Park, one of the country’s least visited gems. From myths of hidden civilizations to geothermal wonders ahead, this trip keeps proving that adventure isn’t just about the miles—it’s about the stories hidden in the landscape.
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