Sisson Meadow

I don't know if you caught my post about Mt. Shasta City Park, if you did you already know that I'm directionally challenged. If you missed it, now you know; and let me add that I have a hard time reading a map, too. So, looking at the AllTrails app, I saw that there were several ways to get to the loop but I couldn't really figure out where the official entrance was. I went to the entrance by the library, but didn't want to park in the "library parking between these signs" lot (rule follower here), so I went to another entrance near downtown where I found a "Sisson Meadow Parking" sign and the clearly marked entrance to the park.

Just a few steps into my hike, I came upon a sign noting all of the different wildlife I might spot and a small area with two picnic tables. At this point, I had some options. Wanting to make the most of my slow hike, I planned to venture down all of the different arms of the loop, each leading me to a different entrance. The first arm veered to the right and brought me to a stone path with a cute, little bridge and a small seating area with two boulders set up as benches. There were even steps leading down to where you might find a pool of water during the snow melt.

Retracing my steps, I returned to the picnic area and followed the actual loop on the map. True to its name, this really is a meadow. Well, it's actually a protected wetland with tall grasses, birds, flowers, blackberry vines, lots of different trees and wildlife (evident by the adorable muddy paw prints I saw on the trail). The trail is completely flat and lined with vinyl boards, making it wheelchair accessible, and provides several viewing areas along the path, complete with benches; one of which begs you to pause and take in the spectacular views of the surrounding mountains.

If anything could possibly make you wish for snow, it's this view.

Continuing on the path, I veered off to the second arm that led me past a school and to another entrance through the community sports park. Back on the loop, I followed the path toward the library (which would prove to be the fourth and final entrance option). Before I arrived at the library, I noticed a V in the trail that was not on the map. (Yes, I had to take a moment to find my little location dot on the AllTrails app and make sure I was reading the map correctly.) I chose to go to the left and found this magnificent tree. She is gorgeous! I must not be the only person to feel this way, as there were three slabs of marble serving as benches to sit under her branches, enjoy her shade, and breathe in the calm.

From here I ventured past the library and followed the trail out to a neighborhood street, down an alleyway, and back to my car. I will admit that ending the hike on a paved road left me a little uninspired. However, by checking out all of the arms to the different entrances, I now know a short cut to several places in town. And I definitely know where I will be after the next snowfall on the mountain.