By: Anna Jaumandreu
Coming back to the routine after Spring Break can be tough for some. Homework, work, and practices can be stressful after being home or traveling with friends. Luckly, here are a few places to go here in Shasta County for those who are looking to escape the routine.
Starting in Redding, the Sundial Bridge, at Turtle Bay, crosses the Sacramento River, and it is the perfect place to walk around at any time, day, and night. Moreover, there is a trail to walk around and enjoy the beauty of Redding. Next to it, there is the Turtle Bay Exploration Park, a 300-acre campus that has educational and entertaining activities such as the art gallery in the museum, wildlife exhibits, forest camp, an amphitheater and arboretum and gardens. Sandra Berrocal, who is a Simpson student stated that,
“Going to the Sundial for a walk helps me a lot to disconnect, and now that we have nice weather I would encourage everyone who needs to take a break to go and take a walk.”
For those who like outdoor adventures there are several waterfalls to check. Whiskeytown Falls are next to Whiskeytown Lake, just outside Redding the hike follows the James K. Carr Trail for a 3.4-mile loop to see the 220-foot-tall waterfall. There is also space to sit down and enjoy the day next to it. An hour away from Redding, there are the Burney Falls in State Park, located in Burney. The water comes from underground springs above it and there is also a trail to walk around and see the flora and vegetation around it. Mossbrae Falls in Dunsmuir is an easy hike that follows the train track. It is considered one of the most scenic waterfalls, due to the multiple layers of water that come from the spring-fed waterfall.
Thanks to its multiple landscape variety, there are hikes to check as well. One hour away from Redding the Lassen Volcanic National Park is a must-see. According to the National Park Service, it is one of the only places in the world that has four kinds of volcano and it is characterized by its steamy geothermal features.
“Lassen Volcanic National Park is home to steaming fumaroles, meadows freckled with wildflowers, clear mountain lakes, and numerous volcanoes. Jagged peaks tell the story of its eruptive past while hot water continues to shape the land.“ National Park Service websit.
There is a lake, trails, and it is possible to go to the peak and enjoy the view of the nature surrounding it. For those looking to hike in Redding, there is a 38.2 mile-trail from the Sundial Bridge to the Shasta Dam.
And finally, there are the Caves of the Shasta Cascade located 19 miles north of Redding. It offers “Three Adventures in One '' which includes a scenic catamaran cruise across the Shasta Lake, a fun bus ride to the cave entrance and an information-filed tour of what some geologists consider one of the most beautiful limestone caves in the U.S.
Coming back to the routine can be hard, but there are always adventures to go with good company and make fun memories.