Mount Shasta City Park

I just moved from the beach to the mountains, what a change! Gone are the sunsets on the horizon with all of cotton candy shades of pink and purple and orange. I can't complain when this is what I'm surrounded by.

Originally from Michigan, the scent of pine trees and sound of the water trickling in the streams take me right back to my childhood. I'm craving a campfire, s'mores and a Red Pop right about now.

With a new life and new surroundings, I stepped out of my comfort zone and decided to explore. I'm not really a hiker, I'm more of a meanderer, stopping every so many feet to look at something; I call it... Hiking Slowly.

My first adventure was at Mt. Shasta City Park, just north of the tiny mountain town. Once you turn off the main road, there is a sign that greets you and directs you away from the nursery on the left.

There is plenty of parking that continues around the Ranger Station. The space is very family friendly with a large grassy area and small playground for children to run and play, and several picnic tables and a gazebo for picnics. I also saw a sign for Music in the Park.

I downloaded the AllTrails app to help familiarize myself to the area. According to the park map, there is one large loop and several paths that branch off from there. The loop is not marked at all, I honestly didn't even know where the trail began. Not a true hiker, I followed the paved walkway (which was not the right direction) which took me down to the trailhead to two small waterfalls. I will admit, I was not disappointed by this wrong turn. Or any of the others that I took along the way.

I ended up following a paved path along the river with the grassy play area on my left. I passed several benches and walked over to one that was nestled in a clearing. It was facing a bridge that I could not see from the walkway. I'm so glad I went to look, otherwise I would have missed this gorgeous view of the river. Not gonna lie, I'm a sucker for a bridge, so I crossed and continued to follow the path along the river. Being new to this "hiking" thing, I kept the AllTrails app open so I at least knew that I was on a marked trail and could find my way back to the car. Oh, did I mention that I'm directionally challenged?

Continuing on the path, I came to several bridges. Some well-built with handrails like the first one, others were just two-by-eights nailed to huge logs laying in the water. Strategically placed, yes. But one of them was only a few inches above the rushing water and probably not accessible during certain times of the year. Regardless, I'm so grateful they were put in place and well maintained so I could take in views like these.

The scenery was breathtaking. I don't know how someone could walk through this amazing place without stopping to look at this. The fallen trees, the clear water, a rushing river that becomes as still as glass just a few feet ahead. It is just so majestic!

Speaking of majestic, I came across this beautiful tree offering passersby a bit of respite. I couldn't help but stop and wonder what happened to make the trunk grow along the ground and then shoot straight up like that. And whatever strength that force had, the tree stood strong and prevailed. Lessons from a tree, indeed.

After crossing the final bridge, I strayed away from the water and crossed a field where the path narrowed a bit. Surprisingly, I ended up walking through cattails and ferns and berries, and even had to weave around some muddy patches before arriving back at the grassy play area where I started.

What a perfect place to begin; a quick (unless you stop to talk to the trees and wildlife and take a few dozen photos) one mile loop in the brisk morning air. I can't wait to see what the area has to offer next!