Lake Shasta

From Redding, Lake Shasta is a short drive north on I-5.

Lake Shasta is California's third largest body of water after Lake Tahoe and the Salton Sea. Lake Shasta--along with two other area lakes: Whiskeytown Lake and Trinity Lake--is part of a National Recreation Area.

Lake Shasta is serviced by several seasonal campgrounds and boat rental companies. It is often called the houseboating capitol of the world. It is also very popular for fishing. The lake contains several species of trophy fish: salmon, trout, even white sturgeon!

During my visit, Lake Shasta's waterline was extremely low. A steep brown bank of mud, between the tree line and water, ringed the entire lake. Water levels do not effect the two main attractions: Lake Shasta Caverns and Shasta Dam.

Lake Shasta Caverns is a privately run cave tour. The caves are accessed by bus and a short boat trip across Lake Shasta. The tour includes several extraordinarily large rooms. In addition to the usual stalactites and stalagmites, Lake Shasta Caverns also has excellent examples of flow stone, cave bacon, cave drapery, cave popcorn, and helictites. There are even a few examples of pure white calcium carbonite crystals. Ask the tour guide to put his flashlight or laser pointer against them...they will glow white or red!

Shasta Dam has a free daily tour run by the Bureau of Reclamation. The dam was built between 1935-1945 to regulate the water supply to our nation's new bread basket: the Central Valley of California. Shasta Dam also provides about 600-700 megawatts of clean hydroelectric power!

Shasta Dam is the second largest gravity dam in the United States (after the Grand Coulee Dam). After a scenic walk to the middle of the dam, visitors are whisked into it's underbelly. Tour guides provide a detailed history of Shasta Dam's construction: a massive undertaking that eventually required presidential intervention to assure completion.

The tour concludes with a brief glimpse of the gigantic and noisy electro-magnets as well as an awe inspiring view of the spillway. Once you're back on top, don't forget to look north for great views of Mt. Shasta!