Six hearty souls accompanied Shasta Environmental Alliance President and longtime CNPS member David Ledger on a beautiful hike beginning at the Waters Gulch Trailhead, Lakehead, and ending with a steep trek back to the parking area via the paved Packers Bay Road.
This ~4-mile hike has one of the most diverse collections of plant species in the surrounding Redding area. The mostly well-shaded trail features a forest canopy dominated by ponderosa pines, black oaks, canyon live oaks, and Douglas-firs. The understory is home to many flowering shrubs including deerbrush, the California snowdrop bush, and the rare Shasta snow-wreath shrub. Smaller blooming plants include western columbine, violet draperia, western starflower, and Tolmie’s mariposa-lily. This moderately difficult hike (with several steep grades) offers nice views of Lake Shasta along much of its length.
To find the Waters Gulch Trailhead, drive north from Redding on Interstate 5 for ~14 miles. Take Exit 695. At the stop sign, turn left to cross under the freeway and get back on Interstate 5 going south. After ~1 mile, take Exit 693. At the stop sign, turn right onto Packers Bay Road and drive ~1 mile to arrive at the Waters Gulch Trailhead parking lot.
There is no parking fee. Be sure to carry plenty of water, sunscreen, and insect repellent, too. Sturdy hiking boots, as well as hiking poles, are advised! A bum leg kept me from doing most of this hike, but I managed to take several photos and walk my dogs a short distance before reluctantly leaving the group. I hope you enjoy the following slideshow of some of the photos I took! ~Chris Harvey
