Snowman's Hill s(u)
Gigantic Mount Shasta has populated slopes. One side is climbed by an interstate highway and even the railroad. Stores, traffic and tourists all converge at the town "Mount Shasta City", with the snowy namesake looming behind. From there it's another 1000ft higher to the top of this hill, which also serves as an access road to a ski area. There two completely paved approaches on this road. But the profile below contains an unpaved SOUTH-2 approach, in order to illustrate a partially paved loop ride, that I tried.
From South 1. North of Castella
bicycles have to travel on I5 for a short
distance. Then several miles before
Dunsmuire a little traveled service road
leads through a tunnel of green with
houses, hidden deep in the shady woods.
This service road on the east side of the
road seems to end at one point. But taking
a right into what looks like an RV park on
something named 1st or 2nd Ave or Street,
makes the green tunnel continue on the
other side of the river into Dunsmuire. Past this interesting collection of old
houses fronting railroad tracks, the
profile stays on the west side of I5
When looking at a map, it seems like there
is alternative approach on the east side
of I5, in the form of an old highway. In
sections this road is paved and has a
drainage ditch so wide, that it could be
mistaken for a bike lane. But it does not
continue through to Dunsmuir on pavement. We are still below Mount Shasta City on
the west side of I5. On the upper part of
this section, past another chance to ride
on the interstate instead ( - No Thank You
), the road becomes just barely what you
could call paved and winds over every tiny
wave in the landscape to pick up every
tiny driveway in the woods. The road is
now called Old Stage Road. After this
little detour loop to the west, Old Stage
Rd south comes into proximity of I5 and
the railroad again. Several crossroads
lend themselves to ride into Mount Shasta
City. The profile picks Azalea Drive.  a view of Mount Shasta, while leaving Shasta City on Ca89 Exiting the town back towards the south,
Mount Shasta shows a few more pictures of
itself, and then disappears behind the
trees, as Ca89 climbs steadily and without
interesting views of any kind towards a
summit. It is signed with the name
"Snowman's Hill" and the elevation. That
last part on C89 has the most traffic
along the way, but also a wide shoulder
without rumble strips. On top a road
crosses. The left is paved and leads
higher up Skipark Hiway. The right is
unpaved and described as South 2 approach
below. From South 2. Signs along the way
warn - or advertise - a locked gate.
That's just perfect for a peaceful bike
ride. After traversing a short section of
National Forest land, this logging road
traverses through dense forest. The road
crosses another prominent dirt road at a
saddle. While the crossing road is
downhill in both directions, the one I am
one is uphill in both directions. The
profile goes downhill to the right.
According to the map a left here would
lead into Castella. Continuing to the
right, there are a few great views of the
Craggs downvalley.  forest clear cut on unpaved South-2 approach, Castella Crags in the distance The dirt road finally ends at another
gate and a junction with a paved road and
yet another dirt road . The paved road
heads north, back up towards Mount Shasta.
Continuing downvalley is possible by
following the dirt road at this junction.
It leads to a fork, forcing the choice
between two power line trails, one to the
left going steeply uphill, one to the
right apparently promising a descent into
Dunsmuire. This option even delivers what
it promises, but not without a couple of
steep ups and downs. The trail enters
Dunsmuire, north of town, at the jct with
a private driveway, becoming South Summit
View Pvt Rd. Looking for this intersecion
from the other side you have to turn
uphill between Oak Tree Inn and Best
Choice Inn. - It's easier to find from the
other direction - much easier. Dayride PARTIALLY PAVED / UNPAVED ( < Lassen
National Park rd Summit | FR19
Deer Mountain Rd s(u) > )  |
Approaches|
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