My husbands job has kept us on the road for weeks in a row. The latest trip was to several small towns in Northern, Ca. To get to these towns we had to drive through Lassen National Park. The scenery was spectacular. Especially since it had been snowing up until just a week prior to the trip.
In Chester California this is Lake Almanor,
where I sat and read a book while my husband worked hard.
Scenic drive back to I-5
The next day on our way home we decided to hike castle crags (I had no idea what we were getting ourselves into, not to mention it was already late in the day)
The problems began when, after we had already paid our admission we realized the roads were closed-off for construction. What that meant, was that the hike we planned on being over 2.5 miles uphill, now became over 3.5 miles straight uphill. We decided to go for it anyway. Needless to say I really believed my body was ready for this, boy was I wrong.
At about this point, which was about half way up the mountain, I literally gave up. I sat on a rock and told my husband that "this isn't any fun". But, after a couple minutes I realized that I had come this far and wanted to see at least a glimpse of the rocks, so I kept going. Did I mention it is straight up hill, not to mention the pine needles everywhere that act like a slip and slide (be careful of those if you go).
I made it, I got my glimpse! But now of course that wasn't good enough I had to keep going.
This is me almost at the top, I hated to show this picture by I just have to point out, if you look closely at the difference between my husbands face and mine, you will notice his looks dry and normal, mine on the other hand is shining from sweating profusely and glowing red because I thought at times my heart was going to pound out of my chest. Just goes to show you the difference between someone who is in shape and someone who thinks they are and isn't. This hike is not for the faint of heart (did I mention that).
The views were absolutely breathtaking, and by this time of day we were all alone up there. The weather was a perfect 80 degrees with a slight wind.
just 2/10 of a mile to go, to our destination.
This is the famed Indian Springs, when you get there you think is this it! and yes, this is it. But just making it to that point is what it is all about. We sat for about 10 min and then we were on our decent back down. I will say this, your thinking in your mind yah, we came straight up so going back is going to be a breeze, oh not so...It was actually just as hard going back down simply because of the decline. Our legs were burning so bad, and twitching from overuse. We had to stop rest and stretch just to keep going.
When we finally made it to the bottom I will say this, It was worth it!
(I wouldn't have said that 2 days later when I literally was hurting so bad I could barely walk) Did I mention that this hike is not for the faint of heart. They should have one of those signs up like they do right before your getting on a roller coaster that explains all of the risks. Heart problems etc...
We will do this hike again someday, but not before I've had a chance to really, get in shape.
pictures of Mt Shasta on our drive home
I hope you enjoyed this little journey
