I planned this hike for a year! I was in love with this place at the first sight.
Postcard-perfect views of Castle Craggs stopped my heart when I first planned the trip to Shasta. It was far from our route, so I just added into my bucket list. One year after I planned the weekend in South Oregon with the stop near Readding. I found a nice mountain hike in the Oregon but… In two days before departure changed my mind. Changed to the Castle Craggs.

I learned about two most scenic hikes: one to the waterfall and one to the Craggs. Our weekend already had a waterfall hike, so Craggs were the winners.
What surprised me. I expected that we would drove at least 5-10 miles from Highway 5 to the park entrance. But no, it was right after the exit. I didn’t recall state park with the parking on the elevation bigger than the entry. To reach Craggs trailhead parking, we drove somehow 6 miles uphill. I imagined the place isn’t very popular: parking was full.
Okay, let’s return to the trail. After a mile of hiking, views grabbed my attention and didn’t release it to the very return to the car.
Mountains all around!




Shasta-Shasta-Shasta!!!!




And all these Craggs! Oh wow!