Shasta Cascade is Where It’s At

California’s best peak color is being found across the Shasta Cascade in the northeast corner of California.

From Plumas County (this past week’s peak, drive and hike of the week), through Shasta, Siskiyou and Trinity counties, peak is everywhere.

In the American Valley surrounding the Plumas County seat of Quincy, peak orange, red and gold tumble down the hillsides and light up the town like molten precious metals.

(click to enlarge photo)

This past week’s rain only intensified the color. To quote Jeri Rangel, a long-time color spotter from Trinity County, “It’s 100% … now would be the time to go. There is a lot of color this year!”

That’s great news for a region that suffered through suffocating smoke and haze from late summer fires. Now, it’s crystal clear up north.

From Redding, CA-44 travels west through Shingletown to Lassen Volcanic National Park. The entire route is at or Near Peak and “just lovely right now,” reports Peter Robbins who found ponds ringed with color in Viola.

Along the way, volcanic explosions of dazzling color are seen. One of our favorites is Manzanita Lake just inside the National Park with its mirror-like reflection of Lassen Peak.

Right now and for another week beyond, the Shasta Cascade is where it’s at.

• Quincy (3,342’) – Peak (75 – 100%), GO NOW!
• Lassen Volcanic National Park (7,300’) – Peak (75 – 100%) GO NOW!
• Shingletown (3,491’) – Peak (75 – 100%) GO NOW!
• Redding (564’) – Near Peak (50 – 75%), Go Now.
• Coffee Creek (3,068’) – Peak (75 – 100%), GO NOW!