It’s hard to be anything but inspired when admiring the great Mt. Shasta in Northern California. The Mt. Shasta Wilderness is a popular option for adventurers wanting to explore the iconic mountain, as it’s loaded with gorgeous scenery and a plethora of hiking trails. A place called Horse Camp is an especially beloved spot that’s maintained and cared for by the Sierra Club. Although many use Horse Camp as a jumping-off point into the wilderness, the trek to the camp and its historic alpine lodge makes for a fantastic little adventure in itself.
Horse Camp is a 720-acre property on Mt. Shasta that's owned and managed by the Sierra Club Foundation. A popular base camp for climbers and hikers, reaching the camp and its historic lodge makes for a fun, moderate adventure in beautiful Mt. Shasta Wilderness.
The out-and-back trail to Horse Camp is 3.5 miles with 954 feet in elevation gain. The trail begins at Bunny Flat and is well-signed, making it easy to find and follow.
After starting at the trailhead, you'll be led into an area of sparse pines. You'll come across a few junctions along the trail, so be sure to pay attention to the signs that point the way. All in all, the trail is relatively easy with some steeper sections as you get closer to Horse Camp.
At one point, the trail breaks into a meadow and opens up to spectacular views of Mt. Shasta. This area is simply breathtaking! Keep on going - Horse Camp is just less than a mile away.
Located at an altitude of 7,884 feet, Horse Camp is a real hidden gem in the mountain wilderness. The area offers low-impact campsites, a seasonal source of freshwater, and knowledgeable caretakers during the climbing season.
The hut itself is very charming. It was built in 1922 with local materials like volcanic rock and Shasta red fir. Inside, you'll find a guest register, a small library of books, and a lost-and-found board.
You could easily spend an hour or two moseying around Horse Camp and checking out the hut. From here, you can continue to explore the mountain or wrap it up and head on back to the trailhead. However you decide to spend your time at Horse Camp, it's bound to be time well-spent!
