6 Stewart
Mineral Springs
Make all the jokes you
want about the name
of the little town of
Weed, but a visit to
Stewart Mineral Springs
(%530-938-2222; http://www.
stewartmineralsprings.com;
4617 Stewart Springs Rd;
mineral baths $28, sauna$18; (^) h10am-6pm Sun-Wed,
to 7pm Thu-Sat) will only
inspire a satisfied sigh. At
this popular alternative
(read clothing optional)
hangout on the banks
of a clear mountain
stream guests soak in
a private claw-foot tub
or cook in the dry-wood
sauna. There’s also
massage, body wraps, a
Native American sweat
lodge and a riverside
sunbathing deck. You’ll
want to call ahead to be
sure there is space in
the steam and soaking
rooms, especially on busy
weekends. While in the
area, tickle your other
senses at Mt Shasta
Lavender Farms (www.
mtshastalavenderfarms.com),
16 miles northwest of
Weed, off Hwy A12, on
Harry Cash Rd. You can
harvest your own sweet
French lavender in the
June and July blooming
season.
5 4 p147
The Drive » The lake can be
reached by driving south on I-5
and taking exit 736. Go under
the highway and the service
road to the north on the west
side of the highway to connect
with Crater Lake Rd. The lake is
approximately 7 miles beyond
Lake Siskiyou. Along the way
you’ll pass Ney Springs and
Faery Falls, both fun places to
pull over for a photo.
7 Castle &
Heart Lakes
Castle Lake is an
easily accessible yet
pristine mountain
pool surrounded by
granite formations
and pine forest. In the
distance you’ll see two
of Northern California’s
most recognizable rocks:
Castle Crags and Mt
Shasta. After you park,
orient yourself with the
signboards and put on
that swimsuit for the
half-hour hike to Heart
Lake – considered one
of the most rewarding
easy hikes in the region.
Heading east along the
shore, a trail crosses a
wildflower-lined creek
before coming to saddle
about 100 feet before a
small pond. Go right at
the saddle and follow an
unsigned trail southwest
for a half-mile to reach
Heart Lake. In the
summer months, this
is a dream come true,
as Heart Lake’s shallow
waters offer excellent
for swimming and a
spectacular view of Mt
Shasta.
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TRIP HIGHLIGHT
Start: 4 McCloud
Lava Beds National Monument (www.nps.gov/labe),
perched on yet another crater, is a truly remarkable
72-sq-mile landscape of volcanic features – lava
flows, craters, cinder cones, spatter cones, shield
volcanoes and amazing lava tubes. Nearly 750 caves
have been found in the monument and they remain
a comfortable 55°F no matter what the outside
temperature. Spy Native American petroglyphs
throughout the park too. From McCloud, go
southeast several miles on Hwy 89, then take Harris
Springs Rd north. The whole trip should take about
two hours.
LAVA BEDS
NATIONAL MONUMENT
DETOUR:
NORTHERN.CALIFORNIA
12
(^) VOLCANIC LEGACY SCENIC BYWAY