Shasta Cascade Archives

Jun- 2023 -

1 June

A Complete Guide to Camping in the Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

Camping is a time-honored summer tradition in Northern California, and more than that – it’s a blast. Whether you’re hiking…

May- 2023 -

29 May

Celebrate Memorial Day at the Living Memorial Sculpture Garden Near Mount Shasta

Photo: Discover Siskiyou Each year, Memorial Day stands as a poignant reminder to all Americans of the sacrifices made by…

25 May

Shasta Dam Sits at the Center of California’s Water Wars. So Will They Raise It?

The water levels of Shasta Lake currently sit at the highest the’ve been in four years. Photos circulating the internet…

25 May

A Day Hike Up Castle Dome Trail in the Castle Crags Wilderness

Adventure is calling, and I’m answering with my hiking boots. On this day, I find myself in the stunning Castle…

24 May

Remembering the May 24, 2019 Tornado-Like Storm that Brought Golf-Ball Sized Hail to NorCal

The Memorial Day weekend of 2019 was just getting started when the National Weather Service issued a rare tornado warning…

23 May

How to Enjoy the Shasta-Trinity National Forest Safely this Memorial Day Weekend

As the United States prepares to commemorate Memorial Day, honoring the lives of military personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice,…

22 May

Spring Mushroom Season Comes Alive in the Shasta McCloud Area

The Shasta-Trinity National Forest, known for its spring wildflowers, hunting, and fishing, is also a popular destination for those on…

16 May

An Open Letter to College Students Planning on Houseboating on Shasta Lake this Summer

Memorial Day is approaching, which means thousands of college students will be heading to Shasta Lake for their annual party…

16 May

Surging Water Flows Could Bring Danger on the McCloud River

McCloud Dam spilling over. Photo: PG&E Pacific Gas & Electric Co. (PG&E) has issued a warning regarding the potential surge…

14 May

Kayaker Performs Death-Defying Drop Off Middle McCloud Falls

During the winter or springtime at McCloud Falls, the flows become heavy enough for death defying kayak stunts. Although the…

10 May

Shasta Lake Reaches its Highest Water Levels in Nearly 4 Years

Following substantial rain and snowfall in Northern California this winter, the water level of Lake Shasta is now at its…

8 May

Groundbreaking Partnership Promises to Return Salmon to Waterways Above Shasta Dam

According to legend, when white settlers arrived in Northern Californian in the 1800’s, there were so many salmon in the…

7 May

Missing Climber Found After 12-hour ‘Mega-Rescue’ on Mount Shasta

Photo: Mount Shasta Avalanche Center After a 12-hour-long rescue operation that started late Friday night, a climber who went missing…

Apr- 2023 -

30 April

Expect to See Smoke from Controlled Burns Near Mount Shasta

Photo: U.S. Forest Service The Shasta Trinity National Forest has announced that it plans to begin the McBride Vegetation Project…

28 April

Lake Shasta Approaches Full Pool for the First Time in Nearly Two Years

Shasta Lake is currently approaching full pool levels, a milestone that hasn’t been achieved in nearly two years. This news…

22 April

Former Navy Seal Climbs and Skis Down Mt. Shasta in ‘Fastest Known Time’

Photo via @jkos220/IG Former Navy Seal Jack Kuenzle from Roxbury, Connecticut, achieved a brand-new Fastest Known Time (FKT) for skiing…

13 April

Watch This Incredible 30-Year-Old Video Of A Fly Fishing Legend Rippin’ Lips On The Upper Sac

The Ted Fay Fly Shop in Dunsmuir has been known to produce some of the best anglers our area has…

10 April

5 Places to Find Blooming Wildflowers in Siskiyou County

Brought to you by Discover Siskiyou As the long winter of 2019 finally comes to a close, the wildflowers of…

Mar- 2023 -

28 March

The Views at this NorCal Lookout are Simply Eye Popping – And You Can Stay Here For the Night

Imagine waking up in a historic lookout tower with sweeping views of Mount Shasta, the Castle Crags, and Lassen Peak.…

22 March

Hiking the Three Tiers of McCloud Falls in the Snow

Most people like to hike to Northern California’s amazing waterfalls in the spring or summer. That’s fair. There’s nothing wrong…

22 March

Too Much Water? Shasta Lake Has Risen 100 Feet and Officials May Have to Open its Spillway

Photo by Johannes Krupinski Northern California has received significant rainfall from late-winter storms in March which has seen the water of…

20 March

This Popular Northern California Lake Was Once a National Park

Northern California is home to some of the most popular National Parks in America, with Yosemite National Park ranking high…

9 March

Whiskeytown Lake is Currently Getting Blasted by Snowfall

Photo: Whiskeytown National Recreation Area As the atmospheric river arrived in Northern California on Thursday afternoon, low temperatures have brought…

Feb- 2023 -

27 February

Another Snowstorm Heading for Redding with Up to 2 Feet Forecast for Shasta Lake

Photo: City of Redding A beautiful snowstorm blanketed Redding last Friday, leading to a snow day for the ages in…

24 February

Remembering the Alien Sunrise Lenticular Cloud Over Mount Shasta that Went Massively Viral

It was a beautiful morning in Mount Shasta on February 12, 2020, when a rare lenticular cloud appeared over the…

23 February

Documentary Explores the History of Skiing on Mount Shasta

The history of Mount Shasta if full of fascinating stories – from wild west shootouts to mountain-climbing horses and mysterious…

22 February

You Can Own a Piece of Paradise at this Outdoor Utopia in Far Northern California

Nestled along the northern border of California is a unique and family-friendly recreation opportunity – R-Ranch P.O.A. For over 50…

22 February

Watch the Construction of Mt. Shasta Ski Park’s Gray Butte Lift from Beginning to End

This year, the Mt. Shasta Ski Park unveiled its brand-new chair lift that took the ski resort to new heights.…

20 February

Take this Hike to See Ancient Petroglyphs in Northern California

In the Lava Beds National Monument sits a wall of stone with petroglyphs that are dated as far back as…

16 February

72 Bars on One Road? The Legend of Mount Shasta’s Whiskey Row

The stories of Siskiyou County during the Gold Rush are like something out of a Wild West movie. The town…

15 February

A Snowshoe Hike to Sulphur Works in Lassen Volcanic National Park

Brought to you by Choose Redding Sitting near the southwest entrance of Lassen Volcanic National Park is some of the…

14 February

Remembering the Historic Valentine Avalanche that Created a 30-Foot Wall of Snow on Mt. Shasta

On February 13, 2019, a giant avalanche slammed Mount Shasta, which has been come to be known as the Valentine…

13 February

The Perfect Road Trip for Outdoor Adventurers in Siskiyou County

We work hard all week and it’s important to spend our days off enjoying life. If you choose to enjoy…

13 February

Why Mt. Shasta Remains Mysterious – Dissecting 4 ‘Facts’ About the Mountain

Photo by Stephen Leonardi One day I was up in Oregon and pulled into the “Peter Skene Ogden State Scenic Viewpoint”…

13 February

Massive Mothership Lenticular Cloud Appears Over Mount Shasta

There are plenty of legends surrounding the mighty Mount Shasta, including the theory that aliens use it as an underground port…

13 February

See How California DFW Stocks McCloud Falls with Rainbow Trout

McCloud Falls is a popular destination for hikers to see three beautiful waterfalls in just a short hike in Siskiyou…

8 February

Watch Hikers Complete the Grueling Trek to the Top of Lassen Peak in the Winter

The hike to the top of Lassen Peak is popular for outdoor adventurers in the summer months. The maintained trail…

8 February

5 Snowshoe Adventures Near Mount Shasta

Brought to you by Discover Siskiyou Photo by Discover Siskiyou It’s wintertime in NorCal, with fresh snow draping the beautiful…

7 February

Finding Mossbrae Falls – Northern California’s Forbidden Waterfall

Photo by Josh Hild Northern California is full of incredible waterfalls, many of which sit in the Shasta-Cascade region. The most…

7 February

Yaks on the 5 – Delicious Burgers at a Top 100 Restaurant in America

We visited Dunsmuir’s favorite local eater Yaks on the 5 to find out why they were named a “Top 100…

5 February

Is This Video Evidence of an Alien UFO Over Mount Shasta? You Be the Judge.

The mysteries of Mount Shasta have been heavily documented on this website. Our admitted obsession with the iconic mountain and…

Jan- 2023 -

30 January

City of Redding Announces Project to Protect Spawning Fish Species in the Sacramento River

The City of Redding is partnering on a project to construct a new Chinook Salmon and Steelhead Trout spawning habitat…

29 January

Mount Shasta Put on a Stunning Lenticular Cloud Show this Week

As another winter storm began rolling through Northern California, the typical alien clouds also began moving over Mount Shasta. It…

29 January

VIDEO: Hikers Snowshoe Across Frozen Lake Helen in Lassen Volcanic National Park

In the wintertime in Lassen Volcanic National Park, visitors are met with a closed highway, meaning to visit most destinations…

29 January

6 Epic Snowshoe Hikes in Northern California’s Shasta Cascade

Brought to you by Choose Reddding It’s wintertime in Northern California, possibly having you believe that it’s not the time…

29 January

Mount Shasta Named One of the ‘Best Secret Ski Towns in North America’ by National Geographic

There are some great ski towns in Northern California that get a ton of national press. Places like Truckee, South…

26 January

Watch Professional Skiers Summit Mount Shasta and Ride Down to the Bottom

Over the years I’ve seen a lot of videos of people summiting Mount Shasta. This one’s the best. Cody Townsend…

Dec- 2022 -

12 December

Skier-Triggered Avalanche Hits Mount Shasta’s Gray Butte

Photo: Mount Shasta Avalanche Center Another avalanche was ignited near the Mt. Shasta Ski Park this week, this time on…

11 December

7 Incredible Winter Adventures Near Redding, California

Brought to you by Choose Redding Lassen Volcanic National Park in the winter It’s officially winter in Northern California, which…

10 December

Avalanche Reported Just Outside of Mt. Shasta Ski Park

Photo: Mount Shasta Avalanche Center With the snow dumping on the Northern California mountains on Saturday, the Mt. Shasta Ski…

8 December

Mt. Shasta Ski Park Announces Opening Day in the Midst of Heavy Snowfall

The early December snowfall at the Mt. Shasta Ski Park is allowing management to open earlier than expected. After multiple…

6 December

Mt. Shasta Ski Park is a Powder Heaven Right Now. Will They Open Early?

After multiple storms dropped 3 to 4 feet of snow on the Mount Shasta area, all eyes are on the…

1 December

Mount Shasta is Looking Mighty Fine with a Fresh Coat of Snow

As the storm rolled into Northern California Wednesday night, the first mountain to see snowfall was Mount Shasta. After a…

Nov- 2022 -

29 November

This Northern California Town Transforms into a Whimsical Christmas Wonderland in December

Brought to you by Discover Siskiyou McCloud, California The holiday season has arrived, meaning people are donning their homes with…

28 November

Throwback: See Photos of the Incredible Winter of 2019 in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest

The winter of 2019 in Northern California was historic on many fronts. Many ski resorts, including Squaw Valley and Mammoth…

27 November

The 4 Volcanos Surrounding Northern California Are Some Of The Most Dangerous in America

Photo by Jeffrey Eisen It’s no secret – we have some active volcanos in our area. But are you aware that…

27 November

A Breathtaking Winter Expedition to Mount Shasta’s Heart Lake

Covered in a thick blanket of snow, Heart Lake virtually disappears in the winter. Familiar summer landmarks are transformed into…

21 November

How to Go Ice Fishing on Mount Shasta’s Castle Lake

Now here’s something you don’t see everyday in Northern California. In the wintertime in Mount Shasta, visitors to Castle Lake…

14 November

The Legend of Old Shavehead – The Lassen Native American Known for Murdering Samuel Burney

As written in the book California’s Best Fly Fishing Old Shavehead. Photo: California State University, Chico While geologists estimate that…

14 November

Northern California’s Most Beautiful Outdoor Ice Rink Prepares for Winter Opening

As a Northern California resident, skating on a beautiful outdoor ice rink might seem foreign. When you add the stunning…

11 November

Celebrate Veteran’s Day at Living Memorial Sculpture Garden Near Mount Shasta

Photo: Discover Siskiyou Every year, Veteran’s Day sits as a reminder to all Americans about the sacrifice made by the…

7 November

Win a Northern California Staycation with the Discover Siskiyou 10K Giveaway

The outdoor destinations of Siskiyou County are some of the most spectacular in all of California, and now you can…

6 November

Shasta Trinity National Forest Prepares to Initiate Winter Prescribed Burns

Photo by Robert Ritchie The Shasta-Trinity National Forest plans to initiate prescribed fire operations this fall and over the winter, as…

6 November

The Bizarre Story of the Horse that Summited Mount Shasta in 1903

Photo by Sebastien Goldberg Who isn’t fascinated with standing on top of NorCal’s premier active volcano, the formidable Mt. Shasta?…

5 November

Mt. Shasta’s Brand-New Gray Butte Lift is Finished. Here’s How it Will Completely Transform the Mountain.

View of the Mt. Shasta Ski Park from the brand-new Gray Butte lift. Photo by Mt. Shasta Ski Park. The…

1 November

BREAKING: Snowstorm Has Arrived in Mount Shasta and it’s Coming Down HARD

Remember, remember the first of November. Those will hopefully be our words in a few months when we see a…

Oct- 2022 -

27 October

The Legends and Mysteries of Siskiyou County

Photo by Marco Bicca It’s well documented that the areas surrounding Mount Shasta are full of legends and mysteries. From paranormal…

26 October

Could Mount Shasta Bring America’s Next Great Volcanic Eruption?

The recent volcanic history of Mount Shasta eludes us. For a long time, the last eruption was believed to be…

24 October

What the Heck Happened to this Trout Caught on the Sacramento River?

When you’re a fishing guide in Northern California, there are plenty of odd things you might see on the water.…

13 October

Question of the Week: Why Does Whiskeytown Lake Stay Full Year Round?

10 October

The Fascinating History of Redding Rancheria

The Wintu Tribe of Northern California When I am outdoors visiting our beautiful NorCal landmarks, curiosity always slips into my head…

10 October

The Mystery Behind the Sunken World War II ‘Ghost Boat’ on Shasta Lake

Photo: U.S. Forest Service There have been plenty of historic structures revealed on Shasta Lake during severe drought. With multiple…

10 October

Newly Released Horror Flick Features One of Our Favorite NorCal Mountain Towns

It’s not every day you get to enjoy a movie filmed in one of your favorite towns in the world.…

10 October

This Popular Northern California Destination was Once the Scene of a Bloody Battle in 1855

Photo by Brandon DesJarlais We know Castle Crags as the beautiful Northern California wilderness area settled just between Shasta Lake and…

5 October

Find Iconic Views Hiking Up Mount Shasta’s Black Butte

For frequenters of northbound Interstate 5 in Northern California, imposing Black Butte is nearly as iconic as its next-door-neighbor Mt.…

5 October

Wildlife Officials Begin Experimental System to Bring Salmon Back to the McCloud River

State and federal biologists and engineers, in partnership with the Winnemem Wintu Tribe, have begun testing an experimental system in…

4 October

The Great Northern California Taco Trail

Northern California is typically known as a wonderland for outdoor enthusiasts. From Mount Shasta to cascading waterfalls to National Parks…

2 October

Livin’ on the Edge: The Time Aerosmith’s Music Video Was Filmed in Northern California

Aerosmith is kind of a big deal. In case you’ve been living in a cave for the past 45 years,…

2 October

Intense Body Cam Footage Shows Urgent Evacuations During the Mill Fire

When the Mill Fire erupted in Lake Shastina over Labor Day Weekend, the nearby community couldn’t have been prepared for…

Sep- 2022 -

28 September

Remembering President JFK’s Trip to Northern California Just Weeks Before His Assassination

On November 22, 1963, President John Fitzgerald Kennedy was assassinated as his motorcade drove through Dallas, Texas. Less than two…

27 September

Trinity Alps Wilderness Highlighted in Outside Magazine’s ‘Favorite Fall Backpacking Trips’

Photo by Erin O’Brien The Trinity Alps Wilderness, located just northwest of Redding, is a gorgeous mountain range providing backpackers with…

26 September

Lake Monsters: Here’s Why Sturgeon Grow to Be So Big in Shasta Lake

Massive sturgeon caught on Shasta Lake in 2018. Photo: Sou Saephan For anyone who’s been lucky enough to take a…

20 September

Watch the “Unflippable Raft” Plunge over a Gushing McCloud Falls

The Creature Craft was created by Darren Vanci, who was determined to create an “unflippable raft.” The structural integrity of…

19 September

Mount Shasta Looks Stunning with a Fresh Layer of New Snow

Photo: Mount Shasta Avalanche Center The early-season storm that soaked Northern California on Sunday also brought some much-needed snowfall to…

7 September

How John Muir Almost Died on the Slopes of Mount Shasta

Many people take the slopes of Mount Shasta for granted. You may see images of people from all over the…

1 September

Salmon Fishing Season is Heating Up on the Sacramento River

As the summer temperatures continue to heat up in Northern California, so are the salmon runs on the Sacramento River.…

1 September

Throwback: Professional Stuntman Performs Death-Defying Jump on Shasta Lake

DISCLAIMER: DO NOT TRY THIS STUNT Erik Mukhametshin is a professional stuntman and a finalist from the Ninja Warrior Russia.…

Aug- 2022 -

30 August

Shasta River Resumes Normal Flows Following Rancher Backlash

Water flows on the Shasta River have returned to normal following a warning from California officials to a group of…

29 August

A History Behind Shasta Dam’s Essential Role in California Water

In 1938, thousands of hardworking people arrived in rural Shasta County to build a dam and a dream. Shasta Dam…

25 August

Watch: The Martin Mars Waterbomber on Shasta Lake

When wildfires become difficult to control in NorCal, sometimes firefighters need a little help from the air. Call in the…

24 August

Mount Shasta is Almost Entirely Devoid of Snow

Photo taken of Mt. Shasta on August 16 by the Mount Shasta Avalanche Center We’re in the dog days of…

24 August

Siskiyou Ranchers Told to Stop Diverting Water from Drought-Plaqued River

Photo: Cal Trout The state of California has warned a group of ranchers to stop diverting water from the Shasta…

23 August

The 5 Best Places to Go Stargazing Around Redding, California

Brought to you by Choose Redding Stars over Chaos Crags When summer arrives in Northern California, the night sky comes…

9 August

Nostalgic Northern California National Park Posters to Hang in Your Home

Rob Decker grew up in the Bay Area and found a love for National Parks at a young age. He…

8 August

Take the Siskiyou Pledge For a Chance to Win a Free Trip to California’s Far North

Brought to you by Discover Siskiyou There’s no question that Siskiyou County is one of the great areas of outdoor…

7 August

The Story Behind the Famed Traffic Sign that Kept Getting Stolen in Weed, California

There have been far too many giggles from people driving through Northern California near Mount Shasta who come across the…

1 August

The History Behind the Extravagant Castle Along the McCloud River

You’ve probably heard of the Hearst Castle, the magnificent residence of newspaper mogul William Randolph Hearst. But have you heard…

Jul- 2022 -

18 July

Beloved Clearwater Fishing Lodge Closing its Doors

The legendary Clearwater Lodge, known for its beautiful accommodations and stellar fly fishing services, has permanently closed its doors. Since…

16 July

Chinook Salmon Make Their Return to the McCloud River

From left: Taylor Lipscomb, hatchery manager at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Livingston Stone National Fish Hatchery near Redding;…

7 July

The History of NorCal Names – How Redding Was Once Named ‘Reading’

Photo courtesy of the Shasta Historical Foundation Redding, California sits center stage in Northern California, nestled comfortably smack dab in…