Castle Crags Wilderness, CA

This hike within the Castle Crags Wilderness had a lot of natural beauty packed into its short 3-mile distance. I started at the shore of Castle Lake and then began to climb the rocky ascent along one side.


Castle Lake
Castle Lake

Castle Lake
Nature's Reflection


The higher I rose, the more there was to see in the immediate area and farther in the distance.


Mountain
Shaggy Mountain

Black Butte
Black Butte


I crested the ridge and came to Heart Lake serenely set in its rocky bowl.


Heart Lake
Heart Lake

Heart Lake
Rocky Cliff Rises above Heart Lake


While many hikers stopped at Heart Lake, I continued on another quarter mile to a spot on the ridgeline which gave me a spectacular view of the territory I had just covered and beyond. I made sure to share its location with many others during my return to the trailhead.


Amazing View
Black Butte, Mount Shasta, and Castle Lake

Mount Shasta
Mount Shasta


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