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.
 |
1.(2340ft,mile00.0)START-END
SOUTH-1 ALT: I5 exit south of
Dunsmuir
2.(3360ft,mile08.5)profile truns
from S Old Stage Rd onto Azalea
Dr
3.(4470ft,mile14.0)TOP: profile
turns right to Soda Creek Rd
4.(3840ft,39.0miles)profile
turns right at this saddle
5.(2530ft,mile21.0)START-END
SOUTH-2 ALT: just south of
Siskyou Ave - Deer Haven Dr,
Dunsmuir
|
Approaches
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) > )
Snowman's Hill: Near summit of
Snowman's Hill on South-2 approach >
down dirt road as described in South-2
> Dunsmuire <> several miles
around Dunsmuire including service roads
on both sides of the road as far as
possible without going onto I5 >> up
I5 service road west of I5 > Old Stage
Rd(shp) > Mount Shasta City > a few
miles around Mount Shasta City > up
Ca89 > Snowman's Hill s(u) > back to
starting point: 44.8miles with 3280ft of
climbing in 4:10hrs.
Notes: "only 45 miles with 3000ft", but
considering the horrible weather with
its 95 degrees and high humidity, that's
pretty good for me.