Mt Shasta: Exploring California's Mystical Mountain Landscape
Mt Shasta, California, is a gorgeous and iconic mountain in northern California. At 14,179 feet high, it is the fifth-highest mountain in California. Shasta is a majestic mountaintop, a challenge for outdoor enthusiasts, and a destination for spiritual pursuits and tourists.
This stratovolcano features a snowy peak above the surroundings, thus forming a powerful landmark bestowing a considerable aura of grandeur to those who visit it.
In this article, we will discuss the history, geology, and culture of Mount Shasta and explain the activities it offers on the mountain and its surroundings.
History and Geography
Mount Shasta is a stratovolcano in northern California, in the Cascade Range near the Oregon border. It is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, a zone of volcanic and seismic activity that essentially encircles the Pacific Ocean.
The mountain consists of four overlapping volcanic cones, the oldest of which is more than 600,000 years old and the youngest of which is just 9,000 years old. The latest eruption—and the last there has been—is thought to have happened some 200 years ago. It is still considered a dormant volcano rather than an extinct one.
The mountain is named after the Shasta people, an Indigenous community that has lived there for centuries. The community considers the mountain essential for their creation stories and spirituality.
The first documented ascent of Shasta was in 1854 by a group of California gold miners. Since then, the mountain has been a mecca for mountaineers and hikers. It is also a frequent gathering place for spiritual seekers who flock to Shasta’s energy and the myths and legends surrounding it.
Cultural Significance
It’s a place of deep spiritual significance to thousands of people and has long attracted seekers on journeys of spiritual transformation. Local legend has long held that Mount Shasta is an energy vortex, that its energies are healing and can facilitate spiritual awakening and transformation.
Mt Shasta, California
One of the oldest and most famous legends about Mount Shasta concerns an ancient civilization called the Lemurians. The legend claims Mount Shasta is the last remaining place on Earth of the ancient Lemurian civilization, which inhabited an island continent in the Pacific Ocean long ago. Some believe the Lemurians still inhabit Mount Shasta in caves and tunnels.
The other Mount Shasta legend is the story of the Ascended Masters, who are said to live inside the mountain in a hidden city. According to the legend of the Ascended Masters, a group of highly evolved spiritual beings live in Mount Shasta. These beings are said to be the custodians of ancient wisdom and knowledge and to be here to help those on the spiritual path.
Legends, an oracle, multiple books, movies, and a series of teachings came from Mount Shasta. From Mount Shasta came many seekers – all drawn to the mountain’s power, its vortex energy.
Activities and Attractions
About 30,000 visitors annually pursue hiking, mountain climbing, skiing, and spiritual retreats in the intertwined splendors of Mount Shasta. Don’t miss the following:
Hiking and Mountain Climbing
Hiking and mountaineering are popular on Mount Shasta, and numerous trails and routes are available. The most popular trail on Shasta is the Mount Shasta Summit Trail, which starts at the Bunny Flat trailhead and ends at the summit. This trail is difficult and requires mountaineering skills and equipment, but the views from the summit are outstanding.
For more of an amble, several smaller hikes afford extraordinary views of the mountain and surrounding wilderness. The Castle Lake Trail starts with a nice 2.7-mile round-trip hike to an alpine lake at the foot of the mountain.
Skiing and Snowboarding
Mount Shasta is also a hotspot for winter sports enthusiasts: there are a few ski resorts in the area, with the Mt. Shasta Ski Park being the largest. At 425 acres and 32 trails, it’s the major snow-sports hub in the region. In addition to the usual skiable runs, the resort has three terrain parks, private lessons and rentals for beginning, intermediate, and advanced skiers and snowboarders, and a tubing hill and snowshoeing amenities.
Spiritual Retreats
People come from all over the world for spiritual retreats, workshops, and seminars because of the unusual energy of the mountain, which is said to facilitate healing and the possibility of transformation – known in New Age culture as a ‘shift’ or a big ‘Aha!’ moment – and because of the alluring possibility of connecting with ones’ ‘higher self’ and ‘higher consciousness.’
One of the most popular is the Mount Shasta Spiritual Retreat, located a few miles from town off Everitt Memorial Highway. The year-round offerings include workshops, classes, and retreats on meditation and energy healing, and people come from around the world.
Hot Springs
The area is known for its hot springs, where people can relax and rejuvenate. One popular option is Stewart Mineral Springs, which boasts natural hot springs, mineral baths, spa services, massage, and other health-oriented offerings. The Spring is known for its healing benefits, and there are also a variety of yoga and meditation classes.
Fishing
Fishing is also a draw for Mount Shasta, with the area crisscrossed by several rivers and streams home to many different varieties of fish. The Sacramento River, for example, is a place to fly fishing, with rainbow and brown trout, salmon, and steelhead. The McCloud River is another destination for fishing, with gorgeous scenery and many trout.
Travel tips for visiting Mt. Shasta
Please check the weather forecast and pack appropriately, as the weather can rapidly change in high elevations.
If you plan to hike or spend the day on the mountain, you'll need plenty of water, snacks, and a picnic.
Wear sturdy hiking shoes or boots, as the trails can be rocky and uneven.
Pay attention to your surroundings and stick to the trails, and you won’t leave your footprint—or yourself—behind.
Be prepared for altitude sickness, especially if you plan to hike to the summit.
The phone signal can be patchy, so could you bring a map or GPS device?
Please remember any restrictions or permits required for certain activities, such as climbing.
Before you go, check to see if the mountain is open (are the roads closed? Are the trails open? Are there weather advisories or warnings?).
Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, clothing, and gear to protect you from the sun, wind, and cold.
Finally, respect the mountain and the natural beauty of the surroundings, and take everything with you when you leave.
Final Thoughts
No tourist like me would find Mount Shasta a unique, particular area and a receptive place to visit for a few days of rest in the lap of nature or a place of renewed spiritual inspiration.
There’s plenty to do and see here: hike, ski, dip in hot springs, or go on a silent spiritual retreat into the forest. Even if you’re not a hardcore nature enthusiast, the place will stick in your memory long after you’ve returned home.