Shasta Siskiyou Loop

• This route should be mostly rideable from June-October, but the summers can get brutally hot and you can be greatly exposed to the sun at times. There will usually be snow and rain leading into the late fall and winter months. It may take a while for snow to fully melt away in spots in the spring. Earlier than June may be possible, but it really depends.
• The City of Mount Shasta provides public parking for up to 72 hours on the east side of the train tracks on the corner of E Alma Street. Signs are posted there.
• Tire width recommended at 2.2” or above. Some have done it with 47mm tires though. There are alternative route options, especially if you bypass the chunky railroad shoulder section. You will still hit sections of washed-out road and sandy spots.
• There are many free, primitive camping options along this route. Most of it is on Shasta-Trinity National Forest land. Please follow local laws and regulations accordingly.
• Find relevant trail information at Mount Shasta Trail Alliance.
• For forest service information, check out the Mt. Shasta Recreation Report.

• Primitive camping on Military Pass Road
• Lodging available in Mount Shasta, Weed, and at Lake Siskiyou
• Primitive camping or designated campground at Lake Siskiyou
• Lake Siskiyou Camp Resort

• There are many great eateries on your way in and out of Mount Shasta.
• Water and food is very limited on the north side of the mountain. Be prepared to be fully self-sufficient and pack accordingly!
• If you are interested in having very good Indian food, then I highly recommend a visit to Hari Om Shri Ram while in Mount Shasta. They offer homestyle meals with a cozy atmosphere.
• And although it isn’t on the exact route, The Wheelhouse in Dunsmuir is worth stopping by if you are passing it on the way to or from Mount Shasta. They have a good selection of bar food and international beers.

location Mount Chasta-Military Pass Road

Day 1 (36 mi +4,300 ft)

Leave the City of Mount Shasta as you pass the Headwaters Spring and get to the Gateway Trails. Once you hit Forest Road 31 via the trails, you will follow it all the way to Military Pass Road. This is where you will find a place to camp with a nice view of the mountain and night sky.

The ride begins in the town of Mount Shasta to the Headwaters Spring and the Gateway Trails. This section features a mix of singletrack and dirt roads, eventually merging onto Forest Road 31. You’ll find fresh spring water here before the road transitions to gravel, becoming increasingly rugged soon after it passes the ski park entrance.

The road gets chunky and washed-out in places with sandy sections and occasional hike-a-biking to cross creeks. The area’s glacial melt creates visible erosion, particularly around Mud Creek, where caution is needed to safely cross. As the name implies, the water may be unsuitable for filtration due to lots of sediment. As we passed Pilgrim Creek, we refilled water and could have camped, but we chose to press on.

After crossing Ash Creek, we camped along Military Pass Road near mile 36, with a breathtaking view of the mountain. Surprise Lake is nearby and could be an alternative camping spot, though it looked to be a challenging climb. At this point, Ash Creek was our last reliable water source until the next day. I recommend carrying enough water for the night and half of the next day, as we didn’t find more until we reached Weed.

location Military Pass Road-Lake Siskiyou

Day 2 (44 mi +1,600 ft)

Start the ride along a sandy gravel road that eventually hits the railroad or bypass option to Highway 97. There are chunky railroad shoulders and sandy side roads here. I was surprised that this was a part of the classic route, but many have traversed it this way. You’ll get to the town of Weed for a resupply and then follow scenic paved roads until you get to the gravel road and dirt trails alongside Lake Siskiyou to find camp. There is a general store and restaurant there as well.

You’ll encounter sandy sections of forest road after leaving camp and before reaching the railroad. The railroad section was the most challenging part of the ride. I could see the conditions varying greatly depending on the current weather and recent track maintenance. Expect a solid mix of chunky railroad shoulders and sandy side roads. If you prefer, you can bypass this section by taking forest roads to Highway 97, though this option does involve pavement and traffic.

As far as I know, the railroad section is open to the public, as it’s a known route that overlaps with forest roads. However, keep in mind that it is an active railway and use extreme caution. I’ve seen intel from other riders, like Kurstin Graham, who found this section rideable on 47mm tires when he did it. Originally, I planned this alternative route to cut through Weed and climb to Deadfall Lake, then descend the black-diamond Sisson Callahan Trail back to town. But ended up rerouting due to heat and sun exposure.

We opted for a more relaxed option, following N Old Stage Road to Lake Siskiyou. A rideable dirt trail runs around much of the lake. Once you get there, camping options are abundant. We camped near the Siskiyou Delta, where the Sacramento River begins. You can look at maps to see where the National Forest boundaries are in the area. If you continue along the shore trail, you’ll find a full campground with a general store, bar, and grill. After setting up camp and swimming, we enjoyed a meal and drinks to end the night.

Day #3

location Lake Siskiyou-Mount Shasta

Day 3 (6 mi +600 ft)

Short ride back into Mount Shasta.

The ride back to town is short. We parked at a friend’s home, but I confirmed with the local ranger station that public parking is available down the street from them for up to 72 hours. You can call the ranger station or police station for further details.