Dead Fall Lakes/Sisson-Callahan Trail Hike

I've been wanting to check the Sisson-Callahan Trail for a while now. I called my friend Dee and we decided to check it out. We set up a car shuttle. Left his truck at Morgan Meadows and drove mine up to Parks Creek Summit Trailhead.

Crimson Colombine Wildflower
We began our hike on the Pacific Crest Trail to Dead Fall Lakes. The wildflowers were just starting to bloom. It's still pretty water saturated from the last storms we got. I bet in the next 2 weeks, the wildflowers will be a spectacular show.

I'm amazed with the Mountain Mahogony that is found in this area. It usually is found mostly in volcanic lava type terrain.

Upper Dead Fall Lake

Foxtail Pine
It is a rare pine only found in two areas in California with two separate subspecies in each, the Klamath Mountains along the Mt. Eddy Trail and in the Southern Sierra.

The Sisson-Callahan Trail is one the of 47 National Recreation Trails and historically was used for travel between the forest service districts constructed in 1911. Last summer, 500 Boy Scout volunteers did major trail work on the trail. It is more defined and easier to follow now.

Bear Grass
The Bear Grass is out in bloom. We saw a lot of it on the Sisson-Callahan Trail at the lower elevations. Dee thanks for taking great pictures.

For Siskiyou County Locals,
Check out 102.3 radio Friday at noon
Friday Scenic Byways and Highways with Me about the Waterfalls in the area.

As always, Have a great weekend!

Hotlum/Wintun Ski to Lassen Ski

Wednesday I headed to the northeast side of the mountain known as the Hotlum/Wintun and met up with good friends and met some new friends too.

The Brewer Creek Drainage.

Here's Ed leading the crew.

As we were skinning up, we got majorly rained on, hailed on , large feathery snow flakes up high and loud thunderheads rumbling. Visability was poor above 9500 ft. We headed down and after a couple beers and waiting out the rain, we decided Lassen was the ticket for the best skiing!

I took this picture of Manzanita Lake Thursday morning as we heading up to the Lassen Summit Trailhead.

Getting ready to head up at the Lassen Trailhead. Here is Lisa and Damien. Our new friends from Santa Cruz. Nice meeting you both. Great fun !

Here I am at the summit getting ready for the decent. We booting it up to the summit. The best way of travel at this time. Just head up the trail.

Carol tearing it up. What a great trip.
Thanks everyone. Another sucessful ski adventure.
And as always~Have a great weekend everyone!

PCT Hike along the McCloud River, Scott Valley Tour including Kangaroo Lake

This is McCloud Lake. The lake is turquiose blue color from the glaciated waters of the mountain and pretty full from the recent rain we've received.

Lake McCloud at the boat ramp.

This is known as Penstemon. There are many varieties of this wildflower. It grows along the Pacific Crest Trail along the McCloud River.

Here's my friend Dee making sure we don't get lost. We didn't.

I took this picture to show what poison oak looks like right now. It was hard for me to get a very clear shot. A little blurry. See the berries. That's a good indication that it's poison oak. It's out in thickets right now.

I took a drive through Scott Valley with a few well worthy stops. I went to Kangaroo Lake. As I walked down to the lake, a bald eagle flew right in front of me. In this picture if you look close, you can see the picture of the Osprey I took. Tried to get the Eagle but it's in my memory forever.

Here is Kangaroo Lake located in the Klamath Mountains.

This is known as Lover's Leap. Scenery along the Gazelle-Callahan Road. Check out the Scott Valley Tour in "Mount Shasta Guide to Fun".

This is the famous Etna Brewery located in Etna part of Scott Valley. Stop by and try out their awesome selection of micro beers and their famous rootbeer. The Etna Brewery dates back to the 1870's.

As always, Have a great weekend!

Stewardship Award 2009

Tonight has been a very special night for me. I was nominated for the Stewardship Award through J.E.D.I. which stands for Jefferson Economic Development Institute...Where potential becomes prosperity. They have been a major influence and motivation in the process and making of my book, "Mount Shasta Guide to Fun".I was very surprised and elated to hear the announcement of my book winning the stewardship award. I have many people to thank for the contribution of their work and efforts towards the process of completion and helping getting my book published. I would like to thank everyone personally for all your help. Thank you so much. I feel very honored to have great friends and live in such a supportive community.
Thank you again,
Robin Kohn

Skiing Lassen Peak in May

Spent the past couple days skiing Lassen. The road is plowed to Bumpass Hell Parking Area on the South side. They may open the road soon but not sure.

This is the south side of Lassen. Still good skiing to be had. We ended up booting it instead of skinning it. The conditions at this time makes it easier to boot it up the trail.

Ed Shredding it. Excellent skiing from the top down the southeast side at 10:00 a.m.

I took this from the summit looking towards Mt. Shasta. It was a beautiful Clear day.

This is the summit of Lassen Peak 10,457 ft.

Have a great Memorial Weekend!

Castle Crags and Waterfalls of Northern California

Spent the past couple days enjoying all the beauty the Mt. Shasta area has to offer.

These are the Castle Crags located 15 miles south of Mt. Shasta. Castle Crags State Park is open year round and offers many trails throughout the park. All trails are clear of snow and accessible at this time.

Hedge Creeks Falls located at the North Dunsmuir Exit is glorious right now. A short 10 minute walk down to the falls.

I took a drive this afternoon to the spectacular Burney Falls. It flows over 100,000 million gallons of water daily. Theodore Roosevelt considered it the 8th wonder of the world.

This cliff, along Hat Creek is known as "Diatomaceous Earth". It is chalk like sedimentary rock that is easily crumbled into powder. It is fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of algae. It is used to make tooth fillings, pool filters, cat litter, etc.

These are Fall River Falls flowing at top flow. A nice hike.

This was taken at 9400' Thursday Morning. It marks my 100th day of skiing this season and still counting...

Looks like we are going to have very warm temperatures this weekend. Go out and enjoy the Mt. Shasta Area. And as always have a great weekend!

Spring Time Avalanches, Basic Snow School

This weekend has been about warm temps and avalanches.

This slab avalanche that occurred happened Thursday afternoon. This was at about 8,000' right on the moraine. Not a place that avalanches happen very often.

Spent the weekend teaching Ice Axe and Crampon Clinics. Very important skills to have for climbing Mt. Shasta. Good job Jason, Joel and Chris. Good luck to the summit!

More info about clinics at swsmtns.com/mtshastaclinics.html

Another avalanche off of s.e. slope of Casaval Ridge. This happens quite frequently off the ridge.

This is Sun bowl. Known for avalanches. It set off Friday afternoon. The bowl next to it is Powder Bowl. Another nortorous bowl for avalanches. Skiers paradise with the perfect corn conditions.

Just want to say "Happy Mother's Day"