A quick Fall trip to
Shasta County
October 3 & 4, 2017
Fall is my favorite time to hit the road. The changing colors, the kids are back in school, and campsites are usually pretty empty. A couple weeks back I loaded up my van with the two dogs and headed towards Shasta county. Our first stop of the trip was at Castle Crag State Park. In the afternoon, I hiked from the site to a vista point. I didn't see another person the entire walk which was really peaceful, but always a little spooky being alone in the woods in bear country. The next morning we headed out to the town of Weed to eat some breakfast before driving down highway 89 to the next destination.
Castle Crag off in the distance. The park was almost entire empty on this day. Kodak Ektar 100 in a Mamiya 6.
Weed, CA. Kodak Ektar 100 in a Mamiya 6.
Weed, CA. Kodak Ektar 100 in a Mamiya 6.
Ray's Market, Weed, CA. Kodak Ektar 100 in a Mamiya 6.
Salem enjoying her first dirt bath of the trip. Taken with an iPhone 6.
Spotted a few creepy caves while riding my bike above the park. Taken with an iPhone 6.
This bridge look familiar? This is the bridge used in the movie Stand by Me. Taken with an iPhone 6.
Psychedelic algae blooms from outer space. Taken with an Ilford Delta 100 in a Minolta CLE.
October 4 & 5, 2017
After a pretty drive on an almost empty Highway 89, we rolled into Dusty Creek Campground. I've always stayed at the Burney Falls State Park campground when I've been in this area, but wanted to try a new place this trip. Dusty Creek is a PGE owned campground without running water and pit toilets. Probably explains the $8 fee. It was right on Lake Britton, which was very calm that day. Also inside the campsite's property was the chase scene bridge from Stand By Me, which was pretty rad to see in person. There was only one other camper in the whole site which gave the dogs plenty of space to cruise off leash. After sundown, I noticed we were being watched by a group of foxes. As soon as we crashed out in the van to sleep, I looked out the window and saw at least 5-6 foxes plowing through the site for any crumbs. I guess they weren't stoked to come up empty handed based on the turd they left us to see in the morning.
Lake Britton around 4 o'clock in the afternoon looking super blissful. Kodak Ektar 100 in a Mamiya 6.
Trees looking like stars. Ilford Delta 100 in a Minolta CLE.
The dogs were super stoked on the empty campground. Off leash good times. Ilford Delta 100 in a Minolta CLE.
Grilled Haloumi cheese has become one my camp grilling faves. I'm cooking it on an MSR Pocket Rocket stove. Taken with an iPhone 6.
It was in the high 20's in the morning which caused the lake to gently steam. Taken with an iPhone 6.
The posse of foxes left us a little chocoloate. Taken with an iPhone 6.
Radio dishes at Hat Creek Radio Observatory scanning the heavens for ET. Ilford Delta 100 in a Minolta CLE.
A scene from beautiful Burney, CA. Ilford Delta 100 in a Minolta CLE.
October 5 & 6, 2017
On the third day, we headed down Highway 89 towards Mount Lassen. First I stopped for some breakfast in the small town of Burney. The choice was either a Mc Donalds or a local greasy spoon, so eneded up at the latter. With belly full of eggs and potatoes, I stopped next at Hat Creek Radio Station. At the radio station they're listening for extratrerrestial life. Afterwards, I stopped at a lookout above the highway which is where I took the panoramic shot above. Eventually I made my way to Hat Creek campground, which I've been to a few times before. After setitng up camp, I went for a little bike ride on some skinny volcanic trails on my Surly Karate Monkey. The campground has Hat Creek running inside, which is always really pretty this time of year. But, again it was in the high 20's in the morning. The campsite was going to be closing for the season two days after my visit, so I was stoked to be able to get up there when I did. Overall, it was a very peaceful trip.
A little single track action in volcano territory. Taken with an iPhone 6.
