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MOUNT SHASTA CITY |
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Roughly sixty miles north of Redding, a scenic road branches off I-5
to the tiny town that describes itself as "the best kept secret in
California": MOUNT SHASTA CITY , hard under the enormous bulk of the
14,162ft Mount Shasta . Still considered active despite not having
erupted for two hundred years, this lone peak dominates the landscape
for a hundred miles around, and its "energies" attract New Agers by the
score. If you want to climb to the summit (10hr; crampons and ice axe
needed most of the year), or simply to explore the flanks of the
mountain along the many trails, you must obtain a free permit from the
ranger district office , 204 W Alma St (April-Oct Mon-Sat 8am-4.30pm;
rest of year Mon-Fri 8am-4.30pm; tel 530/926-4511), or you can self-issue
one at the main trailheads.
Greyhound buses on the Redding-Oregon run stop on N Mount Shasta
Boulevard, a couple of blocks from the Chamber of Commerce , 300 Pine St
(summer daily 9am-5pm, in winter daily 10am-4pm; tel 530/926-4865 or
1-800/397-1519, ). There's budget accommodation at the excellent
Alpenrose Cottage Guest House , 204 E Hinkley St (tel 530/926-6724, ; up
to $75), and the Best Western Tree House Motor Inn , 111 Morgan Way (tel
1-800/545-7164 or 530/926-3101; $75-100/$100-130). Nicer still, the
McCloud Hotel Bed & Breakfast , 408 Main St, McCloud (tel 1-800/964-2823
or 530/964-2822), has rooms with Jacuzzis ($130-160/$160-200) and
without ($75-100/$100-130). Lake Siskiyou Campground (tel 530/926-2618)
is four miles west of town.
Some of the town's best food can be found at Lily's , 1013 S Mount
Shasta Blvd (tel 530/926-3372), which serves Mexican fare, prime rib and,
surprisingly, a wide range of vegetarian dishes, and big Sunday brunches.
For Italian and cocktails, head for Mike and Tony's , 501 S Mount Shasta
Blvd (tel 530/926-4792). Breakfast, or bagels anytime, can be found at
the New Agey Bagel Café and Bakery , 315 N Mount Shasta Blvd (tel
530/926-1414).
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