Vast forests, stunning waterfalls, alpine temple mountains; the enchanted forests of Northern California invoke a state of wonder. I’ve talked in previous posts about living off-grid on Mount Shasta and life in the magnificent Cascades. Here I’ll reiterate why the forests here are truly are enchanted, and then focus on the region’s great National Parks too.
This is the real Northern California; this is the land of Mount Lassen and Mount Shasta. Some of us who dwell in these parts prefer to call it the State of Jefferson, not California. I’ll be dancing with champagne on top of the van at our off-grid property if the split ever comes to fruition. I guarantee once you touch this land, your soul will long to wander back again and again. The National Parks here are fantastic, but don’t represent the magnificence here; it is the vast National Forests that hold the true enchantment.
The Enchanting Modoc, Lassen and Shasta-Trinity National Forests
Books have been written on the the vast geological wonders of this area, that don’t have the foot traffic of other rivaled places. Here I will just mention a few. It’s an easy hike to view the triple McCloud Falls in the Shasta-Trinity Forest. And an easy drive to revere the towering black obsidian Little Glass Mountain in the Modoc National Forest. Or catch a panoramic glimpse of the two majestic volcanic peaks of Lassen and Shasta in the Lassen National Forest.
A helpful note, Little Glass Mountain is a strict no collection zone; we let the mountain sleep. But the same magnificent obsidian can be collected for free with a permit, in four nearby mines! Obsidian collection is definitely on our family’s bucket list for the next time we are in the Modoc National Forest.
There are dozens of great, and easy, trailheads right up glorious Mount Shasta, like the year-round Bunny Flat Trail. You can even dispersed camp on Mount Shasta’s upper slopes. It’s a guarantee you’ll see the Milky Way on a cloudless night. Plus you’ll be sharing the space with alien contact groups; drum circles; just basic Lumerian crystalline energy. The Mountain is a mythical wonderland, yeti hunts and other-dimensional contact come to life here. I wonder if the Mount Shasta being named after the Shasta People is what keeps the ancient memories alive here, because it sure feels like they are. Next, the National Parks that share in the region’s distinction.
Lassen Volcanic National Park in California
The mini-Yellowstone of the West Coast, Lassen Volcanic National Park not only has sulfuric fumaroles and volcanic rock colors, but varied pleasant landscape. At higher elevations its a spring snow destination, and the campgrounds carry an alpine chill year round.
The stroll around Manzanita lake was one of our kids favorites, where they sat on giant rocks contemplating nature and writing poems in their Junior Ranger books. After visiting Lassen, I don’t see a convincing reason to go back to Yellowstone and fight the overwhelming tourist crowds, Lassen has enough hydrothermal features to fill our buckets, but we will miss Yellowstone’s bison herds.
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area in California
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is federally protected for good reason. Its features include not only an impressive lake, but beautiful waterfalls and a preserved history of the Gold Rush era. Here we learned about the Wintu People who lived on this land for thousands of years before their tragic Gold Rush era bombardment and displacement. We visited the well-preserved Camden House historic district, and splashed in the water at Whiskeytown Falls. The other two waterfalls here are just a great reason to visit again.
The little-known Peltier Bridge Campground, our top choice, can be reserved on Recreation.gov even on the same day. It is off-the-beaten path, and nestled on the edge of a gentle creek, designed mainly for tent campers with a steep path in and out. As for Whiskeytown’s name, well, that involves a story about a mule and a barrel of whiskey.
Lava Beds National Monument in California
At Lava Beds National Monument, there are no breathtaking Cascade views; the real awe is located underground instead of in the sky. With dozens of lava tube caves, Lava Beds is a lower realms imaginational paradise.
The lava tubes are the result of Medicine Lake volcanoes’ gentle eruptions over time. We imagined the scorching hot rivers of lava pouring through the earth, which created each of these jaw-dropping deep underground tubes. Several of the caves hold year-round ice here, we could see how these lava tubes were natural air conditioning for the Modoc People when surface temperatures can rise to above 100° in the summer. Maybe next time I will be brave enough to go spelunking for an intense tour of Crystal Ice Cave.
A must-do is the Captain Jack Stronghold trail to learn about the Modoc War. The trail marks important battle spots. For example, the Captain’s quarters is a lovely room-size igneous formation rock cave. But what a story of bravery. One of the few continuously occupied places in North America; the Modoc People fought, with many victories, to the bitter end to keep their homeland.
Northern California Seekers
There are many seekers that come to this land, and it is certain whether it is history, geology or spirituality, it’s sure that what you seek, is seeking you – Rumi.
