From 0 to 14k. Introduction to the Sea to Shasta Thru Hike

Introduction

A friend and I were planning a trip last year to the top of Mount Shasta and didn’t know where to start. We thought the trailheads started too high on the mountain and wanted to make it a bit more of an adventure. Maybe since it’s so high, the first thing that came to mind was that starting at 0 elevation would be fun. I thought briefly and remembered that the northern terminus of the Bigfoot Trail is in Crescent City, on the coast west of Mount Shasta. Then I remembered that the Bigfoot Trail intersects the PCT, which travels southeast from that point to cross Interstate 5, not far south of Mount Shasta. I didn’t finish it, but in 2020 I hiked most of what was at the time a proposed National Recreation Trail called the Siskiyou Peaks Trail, which runs from Ashland to Mount Shasta. It separates from the PCT to head to the summit that completes the route along existing trails. This would make a 320 mile route with an elevation gain of 64k, a similar elevation profile to the PCT.

The Route

I grew up in this area and on many different trips over the years I have done most of the route and I have a feeling it will be fantastic. The first day will be spent hiking among ancient redwoods as you hike into the Siskiyou Wilderness, the first of the 6 wilderness areas on the route. After the Siskiyou Wilderness, you’ll head into the Red Buttes Wilderness, then continue through the Red Buttes Wilderness to intersect with the PCT about 6 miles north of Seiad Valley to descend every PCT NOBO’s favorite climb. From there, walk the PCT for about 155 miles until you cross I-5 in Dunsmuir. At that point, you head north on the Siskiyou Peaks Trail toward that peak that has been dominating the skyline for most of the trip.

Collaboration

I mentioned this route with Siskiyou Mountain Clubone of the groups in charge of cleaning trails in this harsh terrain, in a meeting via zoom about volunteers who lead outings and propose this route. My first assumption is that it was going to be too big a task for others to want to get involved, but other participants found it interesting, as did SMC CEO Gabe Howe. We set aside a moment to talk more about it and we both think it’s an idea worth pursuing. At least it will be a solo hike done by myself and others, if there are people interested in joining, we have a plan in the works that could support hikers at a couple strategic points along the way and maybe even spread a little magic on the trail.

The game

Well, it’s still just me with the interest expressed by three other people, so if it ends up being a group with resupply planned, we will leave Crescent City on July 6 with a plan to cover 15-20 miles per day so as not to fall behind or arrive too late for resupply. If you just want to do it yourself and have any questions, I’m here to help. This is not “my” route or anything like that. I just noticed some lines on a map that others have worked hard on. If you have questions or want a link to the route, contact me here.

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