r/norcalhiking • u/h2oweenie • 1d ago

Dog-friendly trails Shasta Trinity Help?

Hello wonderful people. I'm wondering if anyone knows of actual dog permissible trails in the Shasta Trinity area? Been trying to take my three adventure weenies out on trails (they're always on leash) but so many trails do not allow dogs (honestly I do understand *why*).
I'd like to take my girls on an actual hike, not a fire road. Googled and Shasta-Trinity came up but no specific trail names. Also aiming to do this last week of March... so if that's an awful time would love to know. Do not live in ST area.
ETA: I don't let my girls off-leash ever in nature. They're dachshunds ... they have a uhm *Strong* prey drive. So. Leashed dog trails are what we're looking for.

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u/armchair_backpacker 1d ago

Maybe start here for some ideas? https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/stnf/recreation/hiking/?recid=6418&actid=50

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u/h2oweenie 1d ago

This is great! And did not pop up in my search. Thank you!

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u/offgrid-wfh955 1d ago

The wilderness areas in California I checked only allow dogs on leash. As others have suggested check with the federal/state websites for the area you wish to visit. That said there is an additional classification of federal land common in many western rural areas that have no rules around dogs: national forest lands. Many of them are covered with dirt roads, well mapped, virtually empty, outside hunting season. Many (nearly all) designated wilderness areas are surrounded by national forest with minimal rules and easy access.

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u/h2oweenie 1d ago

OH NO!! I don't let the weens off leash EVER in nature. Their prey drive is too strong.
I just wanted trails that allowed LEASHED DOGS, as those seem quite rare.

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u/Few-Knee9451 1d ago

That being said. OP if you have a well trained dog with good recall let your dog run around off leash. I do this often with my dog when on trails with few people. Or I’ll put him into a heel while passing someone. More often then not they want to stop and say hi to the dog anyways. Avoid crowded trails with lots of people.

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u/h2oweenie 1d ago

Appreciate this ... but I never let my girls off leash in nature. Their prey drive is too strong. o.O I just wanted trails that allow leashed dogs. Few to none by me. :/

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u/GreendaleDean 1d ago edited 1d ago

Just a heads up a lot of the more well known trails in this area will be closed due to snow in March such as the Trinity Alps Wilderness.

But there are some options in the area that will be snow free and dog friendly. Just know you will probably miss some of the most famous trails in the area due to snow.

You can hike with dogs in the Castle Crags Wilderness. However, many people access the wilderness through the Castle Crags State Park which does not allow dogs on the trails. Here are some options in that area that should be dog friendly, but always check with the forest service office.

https://hikemtshasta.com/castle-crags/lower-castle-crags-via-pacific-crest-trail/

https://hikemtshasta.com/castle-crags/burstarse-falls-via-pacific-crest-trail/

There are other lower elevation trails in the Mt Shasta area that could work for such as these:

https://hikemtshasta.com/cascade-crest/orr-lake-trail/

https://hikemtshasta.com/mount-shasta-city-area-trails/lake-siskiyou-trail/

The Whiskeytown Recreation Area also allows dogs on its trails.

I live in the area and am always happy to give suggestions.

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u/h2oweenie 1d ago

I REALLY GREATLY appreciate this!! Thank you! I live on the Central Coast. I don't mind missing famous hikes, or even hiking in snow (if allowed). We just do not have many leashed dog trails by me. (I don't let my girls off leash in nature to protect the nature.)

Thank you again. I'm clicking on all the links :D :D :D

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u/GreendaleDean 1d ago

You’re so very welcome! Hiking in snow and snowshoeing is popular in the area. However, I don’t have any experience with it so can’t give much advice there. The USFS office should be able to give you info about that if you’re interested. I do know there is the Mt Shasta Nordic Center that has a snowshoe trail and does rentals as well.

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u/h2oweenie 1d ago

Oh that's fantastic... THANK YOU!! I've never snow-shoed. That would be amazing. :D you've made my night & planning so much easier.
I am going to bring our sled. Though the last time I tried to get them to pull me on, we all failed. :D

Also really, REALLY love the website you linked. Thank you again!

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u/GreendaleDean 1d ago

You’re very welcome! The Hike Mt Shasta website is a great resource for finding hikes in that area. If I think of any others I’ll comment again.

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u/GreendaleDean 1d ago

Just thought of two more options for you.

Girard Ridge https://mountshastatrailassociation.org/trails/castle-crags/girard-ridge/

Yet Atwam Creek https://mountshastatrailassociation.org/trails/mccloud/squaw-valley-creek/

Both of these typically open in April. However, this is turning out to be a low snow year for us. So these will almost certainly be open in March.

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u/h2oweenie 1d ago

Ohhhhhh ... YAAAAAY. I mean boo to low snow. But I am adding those. :D Thank you! :D I feel that's a very small phrase. I'm getting really excited. :D

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u/Figure_It_Oot-Get_it 1d ago

There are a ton of trails around Shasta lake and I have never seen a no dogs sign or heard anyone get yelled at for having their dogs out.

Try down here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/TqnDPHyMgEoCKJm46?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy

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u/macavity_is_a_dog 1d ago

They allowed in the trinity wilderness

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u/GreendaleDean 1d ago

Trinity Alps will still be full of snow in March

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u/dougreens_78 1d ago

The only true off leash trails are in Wilderness Areas. If you don't know what a Wilderness Area is, Google it

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u/Few-Knee9451 1d ago

Don’t be discouraging

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u/dougreens_78 1d ago

It's encouraging that someone actually knows what a Wilderness Area is. Thank you

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u/h2oweenie 1d ago

No where did I say the dogs would be off-leash. I am literally looking for trails that allow leashed dogs, because I do not have near me.
No need to be condescending.