Shingletown - 2017

Image from reddingarearealestate.com

Our travel schedule is picking up a bit as we leave winter behind us. This past week, we've been up north to Shingletown. Nothing like a long weekend in the mountains, with the fresh scent of pine trees and crystal clear skies. Where is Shingletown? Its about 32 miles east of Redding and about 18 miles from the Northwest entrance to Lassen Volcanic National Park.

Well, we thought we were leaving winter but our Shingletown weekend was a little bogged down with rain and snow. Despite the less than ideal weather, we enjoyed our mountain visit. The early morning view of newly fallen snow was particularly beautiful and a great way to wake up.

© 2017, R. Ono

There was no snow on the cabin when we arrived.
© 2017, R. Ono

Shingletown has a population of about 2,200 and has a long history associated with logging. The area offers numerous fishing, hunting and hiking activities. As a bit of trivia, the owner of In-N-Out Burgers, a favorite burger stop for many, has a 115 acre ranch in this area. There's not a lot of grocery shopping options in this area (nor an In-N-Out), so we were advised to load up groceries from home before heading to this area or pick-up food supplies in Redding or Red Bluff on the drive up. We stopped at the Reed's Market in Shingletown and were surprised at the broad grocery - and hardware - items that were available for purchase. A wide variety of fresh produce and meats could be found at Reed's. We did notice that there weren't many restaurants in the area, so when visiting Shingletown you need to be prepared to cook and/or BBQ.

An acquaintance provided us access to his five bedroom/four bathroom log cabin, sitting on an expansive 20 acres. It was a little too early for creek fishing (and wet), but we were able to do some hiking and mountain biking in the area on our one sunny day.  Our accommodation was very comfortable, with plenty of room to spread out. The cabin offered many diversions, wildlife viewing, water access via McCumber reservoir and Bailey Creek, snow shoes, mountain biking, DVD watching, ping-pong and, of course, Internet access.

From Shingletown it's an easy drive, via Highway 44, to the northwest entry to Lassen Volcanic National Park. National Park facilities at this entry area are pretty much closed for the winter until mid-May. That said, there are easy to intermediate level snow-shoe and cross country ski trails from the Manzanita Lake entry point to the National Park.

McArthur-Burney Falls State Park is another close destination in this area. Driving up eastbound on Highway 44, to Old Station, the drive take you north on Highway 89. This state park is the second oldest in the California State Parks system.

While visiting the state park, we've enjoyed a short hike to McArthur Burney Falls. The 129 foot falls is reachable via a short hike. The falls are fed by underground water and the water ultimately feeds Lake Britton.

© 2017, R. Ono