Castle Lake, nestled in the Trinity Divide mountains near Castle Crags Wilderness, ranks as one of my favorite Mount Shasta spots. I get up there several times a year, swimming in the lake on hot days or hiking the trail up to Heart Lake or further away to Little Castle Lake and Mount Bradley Ridge. (There’s also a sweet half-mile trail along the west shore of Castle Lake.)
This Saturday your help is needed to help maintain Castle Lake’s pristine status. It’s an old-fashioned lake cleanin’ sponsored by the Upper Sacramento River Exchange, the good folks at Shasta Mountain Guides, and the Castle Lake Limnology Lab. The lab, sponsored by the University of California, Davis (got my bachelor’s and master’s degrees there), has been doing scientific studies of the lake for several decades.
Here’s the press release from the Upper Sacramento River Exchange:
Please join the River Exchange, Shasta Mountain Guides, and the Castle Lake Limnology Lab in an extensive clean-up of Castle Lake on Saturday, July 25. Come prepared to dive or hike around the lake to pick up trash that has accumulated due to increased human usage. Trash bags and gloves provided. Meet at 10:00 a.m. at the Castle Lake parking lot. For more information, call the River Exchange at 235-2012 or Shasta Mountain Guides at 926-3117.
Castle Lake with Mount Shasta. (Courtesy Castle Lake Limnology Lab)
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What a beautiful picture!
Twitter: @TheJohnSoares
Yes, it’s a great shot of stunning scenery. I sometimes sit for hours on the ridge enjoying this view.
hi john,
we are planning a hike to mt bradley from castle lake with our little kiddos. how is the camping in this area? we are not able to find much about it and prefer to not be around too many people which in turn brings us to more primitive campsites, which we love. sounds like you are the person to ask. we just bought your book today……its really great! thank you..hope to hear back.
Twitter: @TheJohnSoares
Sarah, there’s a large open space about a half mile below Castle Lake on the east side of the main road that’s great for do-it-yourself camping. Look for the dirt road leading down to it on your left as you drive up. I’ve camped there myself many, many nights. Good views of the stars too!
Thanks!