The 14-mile Everitt Memorial Highway from Mount Shasta City culminates in a parking lot at the site of the now-defunct Mount Shasta Ski Bowl, which operated from 1958 until 1978, when an avalanche took out the lifts. This location holds the record for the largest single-storm snowfall ever recorded in the United States—189 inches fell during the week of February 13, 1959. That kind of history is etched into the landscape here.

Today, the Old Ski Bowl offers picnic tables and views that stretch across multiple mountain ranges. The parking lot sits at about 7,800 feet, and even in low-snow years, you’ll often find patches of winter lingering at this elevation. Dogs are welcome throughout the area, which is defined by its distinctive ridge lines. A network of trails and old service roads weaves across talus slopes, giving you several ways to explore.

The most popular route is the challenging 2.5-mile round-trip climb to Green Butte. You’re looking at roughly 1,300 feet of elevation gain to reach the 9,193-foot summit, but the payoff is substantial. On a clear day, you can see Castle Crags, the Trinity Alps, the Cascades, and Lassen Peak stretching across the horizon. If you want to see the actual remnants of the old ski facilities, a dirt road climbs to about 9,500 feet.

The main thing to plan for here is water. There’s none available at the site, so bring plenty for both you and your dog. The elevation also means you’ll want to take your time and let everyone acclimatize rather than pushing hard right away. Start early if you’re doing the Green Butte hike—afternoon weather in the mountains can change quickly. The parking area gives you direct access to the trails, so you can be on a ridge with views in minutes.