On this Cascade trip we will explore the southern end of Cascade volcanic mountain range.  We’ll meet in Redding, CA.  Our first day will take us up to the town of Mineral, at the south entrance to Lassen Volcanic National Park.  The next day, we’ll ride into the park where we’ll have the option of hiking to the top of Lassen Peak or past the fumaroles and mud pots of Bumpass Hell before returning to Mineral for the night.  The following day, we’ll ride through park north to Mt. Shasta, stopping for a night in Burney along the way.  Our rest day will be in the town of Mt. Shasta at the base of the 14,162 ft. peak.  After the rest day, we’ll head west to the Trinity Alps and the town of Etna.  From Etna, we will pick up the Trinity Heritage National Scenic Byway, which we will follow adjacent to the spectacular Trinity Alps and Trinity Lake into Weaverville.  On our last day, we’ll avoid the weekend traffic on Hwy 299 and take the long way around on quiet back roads for our return to Redding.  Our ride will finish by crossing over the Sacramento River on the Sundial Bridge.  Because of the long mileage for this day, the last night’s lodging is included in the tour price. 

 

DAY 1 – FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 – REDDING, CALIFORNIA

On this Cascade trip we will explore the southern end of Cascade volcanic mountain range. Our lodging tonight will be at the Redding Travel Lodge in Redding, California which is located at the northern end of the Sacramento Valley. We will meet at 5:30pm in the meeting room just off the lobby. Following the meeting, dinner will be on our own.

 

DAY 2 – SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 – MINERAL, CALIFORNIA (62 mi, 5700 ft climbing)

After a continental breakfast we will ride primarily on back roads up into the Cascade Range and to the Lassen National Forest which covers 1.4 million acres. This area was traversed by the famous mountain man, Jedediah Smith, in 1828 and was also the home of Ishi, a Yahi Indian who is considered the nation’s last Stone Age survivor. We will learn a lot more about these stories during our travels through this incredible volcanic wonderland. Lodging for the next two evenings will be at the isolated Historic Lassen Mineral Lodge located 9 miles from the park’s south entrance. Dinner tonight will be on our own in the restaurant located in the lodge. (CB, L)

 

DAY 3 – SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 – MT LASSEN VOLCANIC NP (33 mi, 3500 ft)

Today we will start with an 8:00am breakfast followed by a 12-mile ride on the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway to the park’s visitor center for our introduction to this land of fire. Mt. Lassen (10,462 ft) is the southernmost active volcano in the Cascade Range.  There are several great trails at this end of the park. Two of these, the Lassen Peak trail to the top of Mount Lassen and the Bumpass Hell trail will each have a SAG vehicle at the trailhead. Trail and general park information can be found at www.nps.gov/lavo. Lunch will be available at the Lassen Peak trailhead. The afternoon can be spent exploring other trails, relaxing at the lodge or whatever activity suits your fancy.  Dinner tonight will be on our own back at the lodge. (L)

 

DAY 4 – MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 – BURNEY (79 mi, 4300 ft)

After breakfast we will ride through the Park taking time to enjoy the geothermal features as well as the numerous lakes and streams along the way. Once we leave the Park we will again be riding through the Lassen National Forest on famous Highway 89 on our way towards Mt. Shasta.  We’ll make a short detour off of 89 into the town of Burney for the night.  The town of Burney sits at the base of an extinct volcano called Burney Mountain (7,863 ft).  Dinner tonight will be on our own. (L)

 

DAY 5 – TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 – TOWN of MT SHASTA (64 mi, 3300 ft)

Following breakfast we will again head north on Highway 89 with a stop at McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park, easily the most unique waterfall in the Cascade Mountains. Next we head over Dead Horse Summit, elevation 4,505 before arriving at the old lumber town of McCloud. The first Europeans to travel through this area were a party of Hudson Bay Company trappers and explorers in 1829. Now we will continue on to the town of Mt Shasta and the Best Western Tree House Motor Inn, our lodging for the next two nights. Dinner tonight will be on our own with the town center (a ten minute walk) or at the restaurant located in the Inn. (L)

 

DAY 6 – WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 – TOWN of MT SHASTA

Today is a rest day, a chance to explore this little town located at the base of Mount Shasta (14,162 ft), or check out the quiet roads that lead out of town. The ride up the flank of Mt. Shasta on the Everett Memorial Highway is a favorite (30 mi, 4200 ft).  Again dinner will be on your own. (B, L)

 

DAY 7 – THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 – ETNA (60 mi, 2900 ft)

After breakfast we will head out of the Cascade Mountains and venture into the Trinity Alps for our ride to small town of Etna, California. Today we will be in the Klamath National Forest and following the Scott River for the last part of the route into Etna. Our lodging tonight will be in the Motel Etna with dinner on our own. (B, L)

 

DAY 8 – FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1 – WEAVERVILLE (77 mi, 4900 ft)

After breakfast we will pick up the Trinity Heritage National Scenic Byway, which we will follow into Weaverville and the Weaverville Victorian Inn, our lodging for tonight. As we travel south be sure to keep your eyes open for views of Mt Shasta and Mt Eddy, the highest peak in Trinity County. We will be traveling adjacent to the spectacular Trinity Alps and the Trinity Alps Wilderness Area as well as Trinity Lake. As we pass the lake keep a look out for bald eagles and osprey, two raptors that make permanent homes here, as well as numerous water birds and mammals. Photo opportunities, cultural history and natural history will be everywhere so keep your cameras handy. Once we reach the Weaverville Victorian Inn get your swimming suit and enjoy the outdoor pool. Dinner tonight will be on our own. (L)

 

DAY 9 – SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2 – REDDING (93 mi, 4900 ft)

Following breakfast, we’ll avoid the weekend traffic on Hwy 299 and take the long way around on quiet back roads for our return to Redding.  Our ride will finish by crossing over the Sacramento River on the Sundial Bridge.  The support tower of this bicycle/pedestrian bridge forms a single 217 foot mast that points due north at a cantilevered angle, allowing it to serve as the gnomon of a sundial; it has been billed as the world's largest sundial.  The tip of the shadow moves at approximately one foot per minute so that the Earth's rotation about its axis can be seen with the naked eye.  Because of the long mileage for this day, the last night’s lodging is included in the tour price.  (CB)

 

 

Tour leaders – Duncan Rollo and Dan Pappone

 

For further information contact Duncan Rollo at (970) 224-2783 or duncanrollo@msn.com and Dan Pappone at (408) 316-1667 or danpappone@att.net