LightBackpacking.com

While I have taken many long weekend trips that mean carrying a pack 30 miles, I have found it much more enjoyable — even with my ultralight backpack — to take trips where the pack-carrying is limited and day hiking to explore the wilderness is the order of the day. One of those short trips with a big payoff is Mt. Eddy, west of Weed, California, near Mt. Shasta, which is 14,179 feet.

I did this trip a few years back — climbing to the top with the goal of seeing Mt. Shasta in all its glory — only to find that smoke from forest fires in the Trinity Alps obliterated all but the tip-top. Next month, I’m returning with trail companions Wild Bill and The Duke in hope of clear skies and that promised view.

From a forest service website: “If you make it to the top of 9000-foot Mt. Eddy, which is only about 7 miles from the trailhead, you will feel like you are on top of the world with panoramic views of Mt. Shasta to the east, Mt. McLaughlin to the north (in Oregon), the Trinity Alps, Castle Crags and even Mt. Lassen to the south. Camping opportunities lie within 3 miles of the trailhead at Deadfall Lakes. This is an easy, level journey along the southern slope of the “Eddy’s” until you amble into a “U” shaped valley, most likely glaciated the same time that the Trinity Alps were carved out some 10, 000 years ago. From the Deadfall Lakes area you can hike up about 2500-3000′ to the peak. It’s not a difficult hike (in my opinion) with many switch backs and only a short distance (1 mile) of really steep terrain. I recommend, however, making this a backpacking trip rather than a day hike. The best part of this arid landscape is the rocks, which start with granite in the beginning and blend into green serpentine rocks as you ascend Mt. Eddy, squeezed deep from within the earth’s crust.”

Check it out. In the meantime: Be light. Be safe. Be one with the pack.