Magic Castle, the real deal
Castle Crags (back) viewed from the ridge above Castle Lake, a few miles distant. (notice Mt. Lassen in backround)
The title might prompt one to ask the question. What’s with this out the park business? We’re not talking baseball are we? Mismanagement of finances by the State of California has forced the closure of many state parks, Castle Crags being one of them. In order to get to the trailhead, one has to negotiate a steep mountainside of a mile-and-half per foot. When the park gate is open, one drives the car to the trailhead instead—very civilized. A visit to this park is a unique experience. Viewing and climbing on the mystical crag formations, including a hike of 8 miles with an elevation gain just touching on 3,000 feet, makes it memorable, if not muscle aching. Our editor, who does not sweat much, looked like she had just showered. It was also tough coming off some strenuous earlier hikes.
The Dome
Gazing into the valley
We sent Rob back to San Francisco after a delightful four days together. We can’t have him goofing off—someone has to support us. Why not Robbie? Instead of moving as planned, we are finding it difficult to depart from Shasta. By the way, like Sedona, this too has a vortex. Tourists arrive from all over the world to experience it. We enjoy the great beauty and strenuous activities in the area, foregoing the pursuit of the vortex. Maybe another time.
Some rock climbing
A fascinating place, reputed to be older than Mount Shasta—she's no youngster either—of course, reference is to Shasta, not the editor.
Anyway, we moved to smaller premises for an additional 2-day stay which at the time, made sense. A day later, we noticed that Oregon, our next destination, still has many areas covered in snow. After experiencing the heavy snow on Mount Shasta recently, we decided to change plans again. Back to the inn office to extend our stay for another three days. However, for the Sabbath, we like better cooking facilities and more space. So we arranged for a U-Haul truck to move us back to our former suite. Should Rob be reading this, ‘you’ are welcome to spend the weekend again. What began as four days in Shasta is turning into nine—some solid forward planning—actually, it’s what makes hike-about extra special.
Struggling a bit along and up a steep trail
Although the park is closed, it’s open to hikers. Not that we understand the system but we were excited to be there. On a previous visit, we paid an entrance fee (self-pay honor system). Although there was no one on duty when it was open, the state earned revenue. Now that it’s closed, although we saw government workers (oxymoron?) in the park, there is no revenue. We decided not to give it too much thought—it is beyond our ken.
Two hard heads although one is all granite
Guess what? Sighted from the dome
We missed a night of sleep on Saturday; the body has announced it needs to get it back or take a break from the trails. It’s funny that the mind forgets so many things and yet, it keeps reminding us of that ‘lost night’. Talk of selective memory. Rather than argue, we are happy to oblige with a well-earned rest day, we think.
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
Spotlights on the Crags
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