As the road climbs from Mount Shasta City (elevation 3,500 feet), the vistas to each side become more and more astounding. To the left, Shasta’s icy summit sparkles between stands of conifers and glacier-scoured landscapes. To the right, a succession of mist-filled valleys recedes to infinity. The road ends and the late-summer snow line begins at the 8,000-foot-high site of the now defunct Ski Bowl winter recreation area.
Dogs are allowed anywhere on the network of trails within the Old Ski Bowl ridge line, where even in high summer it’s just a short walk to the snow. Rover is free to roam around (on a leash) at the Bunny Flat and Panther Meadows rest areas, but the only extended hike legal for canine companions is the Gray Butte Trail, a 3.4-mile round trip from the Panther Meadows campground. This very special path, accessible late June into October, crosses a sacred Native American site and takes in otherworldly stands of old-growth fir and mountain hemlocks to reach a saddle with expansive views. At an altitude of 9,129 feet, you’ll both be panting but oh so glad you came. Photo: Picnic On the Flank of Mount Shasta – Janet Fullwood
