Liability waiver info:
California Native Plant Society requires all field trip participants to sign an annual waiver of liability. Once signed, you will be covered for all events in the applicable year. Thank you!
- Shasta Chapter CNPS’s 2026 waiver can be signed here: WaiverSign.
In February, join us for hikes in the west Redding area, and anticipate a special March hike! See you on the trail!
Trail 58 Field Trip
Iron Mountain Road, Keswick
Saturday, February 7, 2026, 9 AM
- Shasta Chapter CNPS and Shasta Group of the Sierra Club are co-sponsoring this hike on a trail that follows an 1850’s gold mining water ditch from Iron Mountain Road to Old Shasta. Roughly following Middle Creek, the trail includes one foot bridge across a seasonal stream. Some sections of the trail may have water in the ditch, so we may have to walk on the banks. This is an easy- to moderate-difficulty, 3½-mile hike. The terrain is mostly level, but a steep section requires some balance. The area was burned in the 2018 Carr Fire, but is revegetating nicely. We should see early-blooming wildflowers, and winter is a great time to learn to identify arroyo willows. We will have a list of trail plants for participants. Meet at the Trail 58 Trailhead on Iron Mountain Road, just 1/4 mile off of Highway 299, west of Redding. Wear boots, dress in layers, and bring water and a snack. If there is drizzle, bring an umbrella; heavy rain will cancel. Dogs on leash OK as long as you pick up after them. For more information, contact walk leader David Ledger at dsledger49@gmail.com. Be sure to sign the waiver (see opening paragraph).
Swasey Recreation Area Trail
Monday, February 23, 9 AM
- On field trip, we will hike to a pass at the base of Mule Mountain. Creek levels will determine which trail we hike, but you can expect a moderately difficult hike of about 5 miles, with an elevation climb of ~850 feet. Due to intensive mountain bike use, we are hiking this area on a Monday to avoid weekend crowds. The habitat is varied, and was burned moderately during the 2018 Carr Fire. It’s a very beautiful area with a lot of native plant diversity. The trail we choose may have uneven sections, so you may want to bring walking poles, and should bring water and lunch, and dress in layers. Heavy rain cancels, but for intermittent sprinkles or drizzle, bring an umbrella. Dogs on leash OK as long as you pick up after them. For the location of the meeting spot or for more information, contact walk leader David Ledger at dsledger49@gmail.com, and be sure to sign the waiver (in the opening paragraph) before the hike.
Dye Creek Preserve Field Trip
Los Molinos Area
Saturday, March, 28, 8 AM
- We have led numerous field trips up Dye Creek Canyon, which is a remarkable place with unique geology and plants. This year we will hike it again when there should be many different wildflowers to see. Expect a moderate to difficult hike of about 5 miles, with one creek crossing. Dye Creek Preserve is 37,000 acres of wild land, lightly grazed by cattle, and managed by The Nature Conservancy. This hike is co-sponsored by Shasta Chapter CNPS, Shasta Group of Sierra Club, and The Nature Conservancy, each of which requires the signing of a waiver (Shasta Chapter CNPS’ waiver is above, in the opening paragraph). Limited to 20 people; must RSVP. This hike fills up fast! For more information and to reserve your spot, email dsledger49@gmail.com. More details to come in March!
For more information about any of the above events, please email me at dsledger49@gmail.com. ~David Ledger, Field Trip Chair