The farther north, east or west you go from Redding, the sparser the population and the wilder the country. With seven national forests, three mountain ranges, a national park, a national monument, two national wilderness areas, 15 state parks and countless lakes, the eight-county Shasta Cascade region serves up freedom and adventure for you and your dog at every turn. Dog-friendly hotels and resorts dot a region that encompasses Plumas, Lassen, Modoc, Tehama, Siskyou, Trinity, Shasta and Butte counties. A few suggestions for getting acquainted:
Take a scenic drive:
• The Shasta Cascade is not short on scenery, and there’s no better way to savor it than to follow a designated scenic byway. You can’t go wrong driving at least a segment or two of the 500-mile Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway All American Road (one of only 31 All American Roads in the country) winding through the Cascade Range between Lake Almanor in Plumas County and Crater Lake National Park in southern Oregon, passing many scenic wonders along the way. Other byways are themed to various aspects of Shasta Cascade’s geology and human history. The Feather River Scenic Byway, for example, traces the route of an early railroad through a rugged river canyon, while the Bigfoot Scenic Byway follows two untamed rivers through the heart of equally wild country where folklore has it that a half-human creature known as Sasquatch, or Bigfoot, roams.
• Whatever you do, don’t miss close-up views of 13,162-foot Mount Shasta, just 63 miles north of Redding and the predominant landmark in these parts. The mountain is considered by many to be one of the world’s spiritual hot spots, but even if you’re not into New Age thinking, you and your furry friend will find higher purpose in spending a day or two in and around Mount Shasta City, a small, walkable town with dog-friendly shops and cafes lining Main Street. The Everitt Memorial Highway climbs 14 miles up the flanks of the mountain for unforgettable dog-friendly hiking trails and views.
The Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association has details on visiting the region in a free visitors’ guide that can be downloaded online or picked up in person at California Welcome Centers, hotels and many retail outlets. Check regional listings on DogTrekker.com for insight on places to eat, sleep and play along the way.
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Experience Mount Shasta
Explore A Scenic Byway
See You in Siskyou
Highway to Heaven
Photo Credit: @petunia_louise
