Looking for an easy hike with panoramic views of Whiskeytown Lake? Head west on Highway 299 (where you’ll see thousands of California poppies), and just before you get to the Whiskeytown Visitors Center, make a right-hand turn onto South Fork Lookout Road. There is a locked gate ahead, so find a wide spot and park. Normally, you’d need a Whiskeytown visitor’s pass to park here, but passes and fees have been waived during this Covid-19 pandemic.
My dog Baxster and I hiked up the gently inclined dirt road for about two miles and gained approximately 500 feet of elevation before we turned around. At about one mile, beautiful vistas of Whiskeytown Lake and Shasta Bally come into view.
Unfortunately, this area was thoroughly burned during the Carr Fire, but I’ve never seen more flowers along this road. Especially spectacular now are the Indian paintbrushes and lupines. The Indian warriors and shooting stars are numerous, as are Tolmie’s mariposa-lilies. Lemmon’s ceanothus and deerbrush are just beginning to bloom, as are woolly sunflowers. It looks like the California snowdrop bushes will soon be in bloom, too.
Enjoy the hike! -Chris Harvey
