Southern Cascade Mountains: Plumas NF, Lassen NF, Lassen Volcano NP, Shasta-Trinity National Forest

maps m and n and o: and the halfway mark!!
After Sierra City the trail enters Plumas National Forest. We will pass the beautiful Gold Lake, cross the Middle Fork Feather River, and head up to Bucks Lake.

We will then head into an area called the crossroads; where granite meets active volcanic region. We will see Mt Lassen, the southern most peak in the Cascade Volcanic Range and the largest plug-dome volcano on the planet. It last erupted in 1915. Lassen National Forest has signs of volcanic action with boiling springs lake (below) and steaming areas.

We go from the pine and fir filled national forest to Lassen Volcanic National Park. Here we will get into some pretty hot territory in the sun and pretty scary territory in a thunderstorm. It's known as Hat Creek Rim. It is a long 27 mile stretch with volcanic rock underfoot and no water in sight. Unfortunately, I have gone 24 hours without a water source before while hiking. It isn't fun, especially in heat and sun, but it is doable. I will probably hike to Old Statioin the morning, eat and resupply there, head to Subway Cave until it cools and then hike until the water cache or beyond depending on how I feel. Some people say this is the hardest section of trail, others seem to pass by it without making a stink. Staying positive and hoping for an overcast but not raining day is all you can hope for. Remember, it's only one or two days of hiking.
Mcarther-Burney Falls State Park ends map n. It is within the Cascade Range and the Modoc Plateau. The Modoc Plateau describes a flat area with pine forests and grasslands with conical mountains. There are wild horses that roam the Modoc Plateau, they probably will not be seen. It is wonderful that wild horses still exist, they are a relic from a time when the planes of North America were filled with herds of wild animals. Mcarther-Burney Falls State Park was designated as such because Samuel Burney bought the land including falls and donated it to the state.

From here the trail heads west into Shasta-Trinity National Forest. This NF is gorgeous and huge and we will see great views of Mt Shasta, but we will also be going south of all the areas that are usually visited. This is both good and bad. I will have to make a trip back down to this area to climb Mt Shasta and rock climb/live around there for a while.
We end map o with Castle Crag.

I will scrambling and climbing about, exploring some route options and then continuing on my way.

Rock Climbing:
Outside of Sierra City there is the bouldering spot Free for All. I will hopefully be moving through these three maps rather quickly. Then I will spend a little time (maybe a long lunch) at Castle Crag. The Cosmic Wall looks like a good route to quickly free climb as long as there is an alright descent.