your guide to enjoying more of the north state outdoors
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table of
contents your guide to enjoying more of the north state outdoors
6 5 What’s inside
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6 On the water 10 For the birds 12 Take a hike 16 Catch the big one 19 Free wheeling 22 Let’s go spelunking 24 Stay on course 26 Go climb a rock 28 Let it snow
© 2012 by Enjoy Magazine. All rights reserved. Reproductions without permission are strictly prohibited. Articles and advertisements in Enjoy Magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the management, employees, or freelance writers. Every effort is made to avoid errors, misspellings and omissions. If an error is found, please accept our sincere apologies and notify us of the mistake. The businesses, locations and people mentioned in our articles are solely determined by the editorial staff and are not influenced by advertising.
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Photo contributions by Frank Kratofil, Kathi Rodriguez, James Mazzotta, Tracey Hedge, Bret Christensen and Shasta Caverns.
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inside what’s
your guide to enjoying more of the north state outdoors
It’s no secret that the North State is an outdoor paradise. You can dive into a crystal-blue lake, climb a volcano, spot colorful birds, gaze at the stars and bike (or fish or jog) along the area’s meandering rivers. Our guide to enjoying more of the “North State Outdoors” is the second installment in our “Enjoy More” series. This guide aims to give you some ideas for your next outdoor adventures in Shasta, Siskiyou, Trinity, Tehama and Butte counties. Pull this publication out of the magazine and save it as a reference for when you’re looking for a place to enjoy water sports, hiking, biking, snow fun, rock climbing, spelunking, birding, star gazing, disc golfing or fishing. We’ve provided the “wheres,” “hows” and “whys” – you just need to figure out where and when. Enjoy the great outdoors!
Enjoy! ENJOY MORE
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water on the
From shooting down C lass 5 rapids
to sailing silently along a smooth-asglass lake, the North State’s waterways offer seemingly endless recreational opportunities. Kayaking, boating, skiing, wakeboarding, snorkeling and rafting are among the many ways to cool off and
enjo y the scenery.
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Lake Shasta offers world-class wakeboarding, wakesurfing and waterskiing, with lessons available for those who want to learn some new tricks. Want to bump up the adrenaline even further? The Trinity River offers guided rafting trips for novices, experts and everyone in between. If you’re looking for relaxation, take a kayak out on Whiskeytown Lake on a warm summer night. You’ll spy fish and crawdads when you take your scuba gear up to Lake Siskiyou. When you want to while away an afternoon in a leisurely float down a big river, put in at Perry’s Riffle in Red Bluff and jump out at the Bend Bridge boat ramp for 2.7 miles of flat water and scenic Sacramento River views. Experienced kayakers can head for the Class III and IV whitewater rapids of Antelope Creek east of Red Bluff. Put in at Payne’s Camp and take out at Cone Grove Park during spring runoff only.
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Whether relaxing on a houseboat, navigating a sailboat, paddling a kayak or speeding by on a jet ski, Lake Oroville and Thermolito Afterbay provide great memories of days on the water. www.shastalake.com www.nps.gov/whis/index.htm www.lakeoroville.net www.sacramentoriver.org www.cacreeks.com/antelope.htm
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The North State offers some of the most magnificent birding around, and these locations barely skim the surface. Grab your binoculars (or even a spotting scope) and your camera for a day of observing Mother Nature’s winged wonders.
for
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Don’t have time for an out-of-town excursion? You’ll find gulls, ducks, geese, blackbirds, falcons, eagles and much more in the Park Marina Drive/Turtle Bay area in Redding. Check the swimming hole, river and treetops. The Audubon Society has created a list of more than 90 species of birds that have been spied on the Sacramento River Trail. Lema Ranch on Shasta View Drive, the Shasta College campus, Whiskeytown Lake and Millville Plains are also top spots. Up in Siskiyou County, Squaw Valley Road north of Dunsmuir is the county’s only known breeding site for Willow Flycatcher and Swainson’s Thrush. East of Redding, check out Manzanita Lake, Reflection Lake and Bumpass Hell. Over in Trinity County, the numbers of Bald Eagles spotted on Trinity Lake and Lewiston Lake has increased dramatically in recent years. When you’re ready to add a little learning to your nature walk, join a free guided bird walk at Red Bluff’s Sacramento River Discovery Center. Great Horned Owls and Bald Eagles nest in the area. Migratory waterfowl cover the sky in the spring and fall at Gray Lodge Wildlife Area near Gridley. This 9,100-acre wetland preserve is right under the Pacific Flyway and is a haven to over one million waterfowl during migrations. Every year in late January, birders flock to the Snow Goose Festival for one of California’s major celebrations of birds and wildlife. www.wintuaudubon.org www.snowgoosefestival.org www.srdc.tehama.k12.ca.us
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a hike take
Hiking remains one of the most
rewarding ways to explore the North State. The sunny climate means there’s almost no bad time to strap on a backpack and get walking.
Healthy Shasta’s walking guides give a trail-by-trail summary of dozens of hiking spots in Redding, Anderson, Cottonwood and Shasta Lake. Find the difficulty, terrain and length that suits your fancy; you can also find out if your dog is welcome and whether you’ll find restrooms and drinking fountains along the way. From the paved 1.5mile jaunt around Clover Creek Preserve to the 60 miles of dirt trails in Whiskeytown National Recreational Area to the breathtaking Burney Falls, there’s no shortage of places to explore in Shasta County.
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The Pacific Crest Trail meanders through the North State, including a lovely stretch through Siskiyou County. The alpine lakes and streams provide a picturesque backdrop, and wildlife abounds up here. The Squaw Valley Creek Trail meanders five miles through a beautiful mixed conifer forest (beware of poison oak). For a more rugged hike, Trinity County is home to the Trinity Alps, the Yolla Bolly Wilderness and the Trinity River. Scenic panoramas are a welcome reward after a hike along the Granite Creek or Stuarts Fork trails, some of the county’s most popular. The paved, flat and well-groomed trails of the Sacramento River Discovery Center in Red Bluff make a walk, run or bike ride through riparian habitat a joy. Experience views of the river and majestic oaks to the soundtrack of the numerous bird species who live in the area.
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The extensive trail system of Chico’s Bidwell Park will keep visitors exploring for miles. The Yahi Trail of Upper Bidwell Park passes by spectacular views of Bear Hole and Salmon Hole and follows Big Chico Creek all the way to the upper park boundary. In the spring, Table Mountain explodes with wildflowers just north of Oroville and is a Butte County gem. It’ll take about four hours to make this seven-mile round trip hike, but in the end you’ll get to brag that you experienced the 6th largest waterfall in the United States. Feather Falls cascades down 640 feet and is accessible by either a moderate or strenuous trail, both with breathtaking views. www.healthyshasta.org www.trinitycounty.com/dayhikes.htm
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catch the
big one Local anglers know they’re spoiled
– the North State’s fishing is world class. And even if you go home with an empty creel, there’s no doubt you will have wandered through some of the area’s most magnificent scenery.
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One needn’t even leave the city limits to cast a line in the Sacramento River. In Redding, you’ll find anglers poised along the shoreline near the Sundial Bridge; meanwhile, Belle Mill Access is just a short jaunt from Red Bluff’s historic downtown and offers year-round bank fishing for trout. The McCloud River features emerald pools and dense riverbanks that set the ideal scene for flyfishing. To the west, the Trinity River offers what may be one of the finest steelhead streams in the state (the average fish ranges from four to eight pounds, guides say). Chinook and Coho salmon are also in ample supply there. Those preferring to wade into the water to cast fly rods enjoy the challenge of 200 yards of riffles in the Perry’s Riffle area of the Red Bluff’s Bend District. Of course, the North State’s numerous picturesque lakes also afford opportunities for catching fish. Lake Shasta is home to both warm-water and cold-water fish, and species are abundant, ranging from trout and salmon to bass and bluegill. Whiskeytown Lake is colder, but on a good day you might land some trout, particularly by the powerhouse. Find native rainbow trout in Keswick Reservoir or Lewiston Lake. Cast a line in one of Butte County’s 35 lakes, including Lake Oroville, or the Feather or Sacramento Rivers for a chance at the great bass and trout that swim the waters. In addition to the ample supply of public fishing, The Fly Shop in Redding offers access to numerous private fisheries through guided tours. www.shastalake.com/fishing www.theflyshop.com
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You’ll get great exercise while you discover the North State’s wonders if you hop on your bike for an adventure. Whether you’re looking to meander along a paved trail or take the ultimate challenge with a century ride, you’ll find plenty of cycling opportunities here.
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The Sacramento River Trail is a recreational trail that doubles as a commute path, as it now stretches from Dana Drive to downtown. The dirt single-track, 9.3-mile FB Trail starts at the Sacramento River Trail’s Ribbon Bridge and rolls over rolling (sometimes steep) hills to the Hornbeck Trail, with a side trail to a waterfall. The Clikapudi Trail has a fairly new mountain biking loop. In Siskiyou County, the 100-mile Salmon River Loop in a remote tract of land almost guarantees you’ll have the place to yourself. More moderate mountain rides can be found in the Medicine Lake Highlands east of McCloud. The Shasta-Trinity National Forest is a cycling paradise (be prepared for elevation changes), and the Bowerman Ridge area offers dramatic views of Trinity Lake. There’s plenty of lava rock and a great view of the Sacramento River bend for mountain bikers on the Iron Canyon Trail (4.59 mile loop) just a few miles up Highway 36 from Red Bluff’s Antelope Boulevard. Butte County’s Honey Run Road Loop is a twisty, narrow climb through Butte Creek Canyon, and the Durham Loop is a flat tour of almond orchards to the small, rural town for which the route is named. Need a riding buddy? The Shasta Wheelmen, Redding Velo and Chico Velo are just a few of the cycling clubs that offer regular rides, tips and companionship. www.shastawheelmen.org www.reddingvelo.com www.reddingtrailsandbikeways.org www.shastapedali.com www.chicovelo.org
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Ray Tegerstrand’s Getting you Back to the
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let’s go
spelunking
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C hannel your inner Batman at one
of the North State’s caves – they’re cool, both literally and figuratively. Certainly, the area’s most renowned caves are Lake Shasta Caverns, a system of caves adjacent to Lake Shasta. Ride across the lake in a boat, then take a scenic bus ride to the caves, where you’ll be mesmerized by stalactites, stalagmites, multi-colored columns and magnificent crystals during a one-hour tour. The caverns are chilly year-round, so they’re a welcome refuge from summer’s scorching heat. Scores of schoolkids visit each year – it’s a perennial field trip favorite. Samwel Cave begins along Lake Shasta’s shoreline at Point McCloud, just south of the McCloud Bridge Campground. Only the first room of the cave is open to visitors without a permit, available at the Shasta Lake Ranger District Headquarters in Mountain Gate. Lower levels are best accessed only by experienced spelunkers. A family favorite is Subway Cave in Old Station – a perfect first cave experience for youngsters, as the surface is fairly level. The walk through the cave is about a half-mile long. The Lava Beds National Monument is the largest concentration of lava tube caves in North America, and rangers help match children’s interests and abilities to the numerous undeveloped caves. Three regional grottos of the National Speleological Society organize trips to local caves: The Shasta Area Grotto in McCloud, the Mother Lode Grotto in Sacramento and the Shascade Caving Society in Montgomery Creek. All are accessible through the website of the National Speleological Society. www.nssio.org www.lakeshastacaverns.com www.nps.gov/labe/index.htm
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Disc golf is considered one of the fastest growing sports in the world, and the North State has a variety of scenic places to play.
course stay on
Enterprise Community Park in Redding offers a recreational course on rolling ground through small oaks. Anderson River Park’s riverside course is also well-used; travelers often use it as a stretch break when traveling I-5. Lee Fong Park in Weaverville plays host to a tournament on the second Saturday of every month. The Mt. Shasta Disc Golf Complex includes four 9-hole loops at the base of Mt. Shasta. Each of the 18 holes at Red Bluff’s Dog Island Park disc golf course is named for a hallowed fishing hole in Tehama County, so a game here is also an education in the best places to bring a rod and reel.
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In Chico, kids can get in on the action in a special course designed just for them. Sherwood Forest Kids’ Disc Golf Course in Bidwell Park offers 9 holes for kids to play in the same park where Errol Flynn was filmed in Robin Hood. In Butte County, adults can play full 18 hole courses in Chico at Bidwell Park, in Oroville at Riverbend Park, or in Paradise at Lava Creek Golf Course. www.northernflightsdgc.com
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go climb
a rock 26 ENJOY MORE
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Rock climbing is one of nature’s most intense challenges. If you’ve got the strength, coordination, determination, skill and courage for this sport, the North State has countless challenges for the person who truly wants to be king (or queen) of the mountain.
Mt. Shasta is the ultimate in rock climbing, and you can scale the glacier from the north, south or west face. It’s a complex and potentially dangerous endeavor, so if you’re not an expert climber, enlisting the help of a guide is a must. The majestic Castle Crags can’t be missed when you’re trekking up Interstate 5, and its granite domes, walls and spires don’t disappoint. It’s home to more than 40 established routes, including the Cosmic Wall and Castle Dome. Burney Limestone east of Redding is particularly appealing in the fall. Lassen Volcanic National Park is home to a plethora of climbing opportunities. Bellybutton is the largest crag in the park, with cracks up to 165 feet and intense climbs. Eagle Peak features boulders all along the cliffline’s base. Natural Bridge outside Hayfork offers a collection of steep limestone caves and walls. The limestone monolith Castle Rock offers a huge face with long routes. Grizzly Dome in the Feather River Canyon on Highway 70 offers 25 routes of good granite to get your rock climb on. www.rockclimbing.com www.thefifthseason.com
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Snowfall on the valley f loor is a
rare treat, but drive an hour north or east of Redding and you can be slipping and sliding in the white stuff to your heart’s content.
snow let it
Mt. Shasta Ski Park offers skiing and snowboarding for people of all ages and ability levels. The 32 trails on this dormant volcano traverse 425 acres, with the longest run measuring 1.75 miles. Lessons are available for those who are new to the sport.
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For a self-propelled journey through spectacular winter scenery, strap on cross-country skis. Butte Meadows is a lovely place to start. Roads and trails in the higher elevations of the Trinity Alps are a fun challenge for those who don’t mind ungroomed snow. Check out Scott Mountain, Coffee Creek Road, Weaver Bally or Hayfork Mountain. Another way to explore snowy terrain on your own power are on snowshoes. Try Bunny Flat on Mt. Shasta and around Castle Lake west of Interstate 5. Mt. Shasta Ski Park’s Nordic Center also includes snowshoe trails. In Lassen Volcanic National Park, the Kohm Yah-mah-nee visitor center is the launching point for rangerled snowshoe walks. Prefer a motorized ride? The Tri-Forest Snowmobile Trail System encompasses four snowmobile parks with warming huts, restrooms, loading ramps and parking areas in Siskiyou County. The 260 miles of groomed trails ensures a fresh view every time you head out. Spectacular views of Lassen Peak and the valley below await adrenaline junkies who set out on snowmobiles in the 77 acres of groomed trails at Morgan Summit Sno-Park, 47 miles east of Red Bluff on Highway 36. The Jonesville Snowmobile Park is one of six major designated snowmobile areas in Lassen Volcanic National Foresta. Don’t forget to toss a sled or saucer into your vehicle – whichever direction you go, you’ll find plenty of fun little hills to slide down on the way. www.hillsliders.com www.skipark.com www.mtshastanordic.org www.shastaguides.com
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W hen it’s time to contemplate your place in the universe, just gaze skyward.
star
search
Schreder Planetarium has enthralled school-age youngsters on field trips since 1979, but anybody is invited to become star-struck at this fascinating facility. Glance up at the dome and you can see the night sky as it appears from Earth and other places. The Chico Community Observatory offers a free and unique look at the night sky year-round when the weather is clear in its Shoemaker Open-Sky Planetarium near Horseshoe Lake in Upper Bidwell Park. If you like your stars au natural, you can get a pristine view of the night sky from countless stopping points in the North State. Looking for like-minded folks to explore the night sky? The Shasta Astronomy Club, Mt. Shasta Stargazers, Etna Astros are among the local clubs that host star parties and gatherings to witness special celestial events. www.shastacoe.org www.chicoobservatory.org www.shastaastronomyclub.com
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