Castle Crags State Park Scenic Overlook
N 41° 09.548 W 122° 18.315
10T E 558288 N 4556655
Located within Castle Crags State Park (fees apply) is a scenic overlook that offers spectacular views of the glacier-like Castle Crags rocky outcrop as well as Mt Shasta in the distance to the north.
Waymark Code: WMJD30
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 11/01/2013
Views: 4
Visitors to
Castle Crags State Park are welcomed to a very nice state park that offers a campground and many hiking trails for the outdoor enthusiast. One of the highlights within the park is a short trail to a scenic overlook that offers spectacular views of Castle Crags, a very large rocky outcrop as well as views of majestic Mt. Shasta to the north.
After a winding drive to a parking lot at summit of Kettlebelly Ridge and then a short hike along a trail are two binoculars that greet visitors and offer spectacular views of Castle Crags, a rocky glacier-like outcrop to the west of the vista point. One of the binoculars is situated much lower to the ground for handicap visitors or children. Also visible at this vista point is the majestic Mt. Shasta to the north.
From a placard that sits near the binoculars are a few excerpts that read:
The spectacular Castle Crags are made of granite that cooled slowly deep within the earth. Over time, this granite pluton was uplifted and the rock above it worn away. Once the granite was exposed to the elements, water and ice have taken over as the main sculpting forces, breaking fractures in the rock, creating the castle-like features.
Mt. Shasta reaches the impressive height of 14,179 feet. It is by far the oungest geologic feature in the area. Mt. Shasta is volcanic, forming in episodes beginning 530,000 years ago and last erupting in 1786. Considered dormant for now, Mt. Shasta will become active again in the future.
If you get the chance to visit Castle Crags State Park, definitely make it a priority to drive up to this vista point and get a first-hand appreciation of the awe of nature that lies in store.