The Shasta National Forest was established in 1905 and the Trinity National Forest in 1907 by proclamation of President Theodore Roosevelt. The two Forests were combined into one administrative unit in 1954. It is now one of 154 national forests in the nation and is administered as one of 18 National Forests in California.

Vegetation

Conifer species found in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest include ponderosa pine, Jeffrey pine, digger pine, knobcone pine, California red and white fir, douglas fir, cedar and pacific yews. Hardwood species including several varieties of oak, black cottonwood, pacific madrone, and pacific dogwood are also present. Other vegetation found in the forest includes deerbrush, snowbrush and ceanothus. The later forms dense brushfields on the sunny open slopes in the forest.

Outdoor Recreation

A myriad of outdoor recreation facilities have been developed to serve the recreating public. Facilities include: campgrounds, picnic areas, boat ramps, resorts, marinas and winter sports developments. The development standards offer a wide variety of facilities--ranging from primitive to modern. In addition to these facilities, over 1,400 miles of trails can be found in the Forests. There are also miles and miles of great biking trails traversing this beautiful forest.

The Whiskeytown National Recreation Area (NRA) was established by an Act of Congress in 1965. The 203,500 acre area is comprised of three separate units: Shasta Lake and Clair Engle- Lewiston Lakes administered by the Forest Service and Whiskeytown Lake administered by the National Park Service.

The NRA was set aside to recognize recreation opportunities provided by the four northern most reservoirs created by the Bureau of Reclamation's Central Valley Water Project. Objectives of the NRA are to provide recreation for present and future generations, and to assure conservation of lands having scenic, scientific and historic values.

The Pacific Crest Trail

The Pacific Crest Trail is the main north-south route for foot and equestrian travel extending 2,600 miles between the Canadian and Mexican borders. A 154 mile section runs across the Forests generally in a east-west direction from the Lassen National Forest near Lake Britton to the Klamath National Forest near Virginia Lake. Mt. Shasta, Castle Crags and the Trinity Alps dominate the view from many points along the way.

National Recreation Trails

The National Recreation Trails System was established by Congress to promote public enjoyment and appreciation of the Nation's outdoor areas.

Sisson-Callahan National Recreation Trail - Most of the nine mile Sisson-Callahan trail follows a historical route from the town formerly called Sisson (now Mt. Shasta City) to the early mining town of Callahan.

South Fork National Recreation Trail - This eight mile trail originates at the small community of Forest Glen and very gently climbs as it follows the South Fork Trinity River upstream to Smokey Creek.

National Wild and Scenic Rivers

Over 100 miles of rivers on the Shasta-Trinity National Forests have been designated as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The purpose of this designation is to preserve the river in a free flowing condition, to maintain the quality of the water and to protect the river and its environment for the benefit and enjoyment of future generations.

Wilderness

The Wilderness Acts of 1964 and 1984 established a National Wilderness Preservation System intended to preserve unique wild and scenic areas of America's public lands. Within the boundaries of the Shasta- Trinity National Forests are all or portions of five Wildernesses: Castle Crags (11,200 acres), Chanchelulla (8,300 acres), Mt. Shasta, (38,200 acres), Trinity Alps (517,500 acres and Yolla Bolla- Middle Eel (155,000 acres).

Wildlife and Fish

The two Forests are home to an estimated 400 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish. Wildlife includes blacktail deer, ringtail cat, raccoon, beaver, striped skunk, black bear, coyote, mountain lion, bobcat and fox. Birds in the Forests include Bald Eagle, Osprey, Owls, Hawks, Falcons, Western Tanager, Killdeer, Nuthatches, Breat Blue Heron, Kingfishers and a wide variety of song birds.

The lakes and streams of the Shasta-Trinity National Forests are a haven for the angling enthusiast. Alpine lakes within the forest including Boulder, Canyon Creek, East Fork, Ell, Forbidden, Grizzly, Lois and Papoose contain a variety of Brook, rainbow and brown trout. Hundreds of miles of clear, cold running streams provide anglers with an opportunity to catch native rainbow trout, steelhead, silver salmon and King salmon. Some good streams to try include canyon Creek, Grizzly Creek, North Fork Trinity River, Trinity River, New River and French Creek.

Towns Nearby

Big Bar, Mt Shasta, Hayfork, Weaverville, Platina, Redding and Lakehead

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