Wilderness Land Trust transfers 160 acres in the Mt. Shasta Wilderness

The Wilderness Land Trust recently announced the permanent protection of 160 acres of formally private property within the Mt. Shasta Wilderness in Siskiyou County, California, northeast of the city of Redding and east of the communities of Weed, Dunsmuir and Mt. Shasta.

The property was one of the few remaining inholding properties in the Mt. Shasta Wilderness, which surrounded the privately held land on three sides. 

When approached by The Trust, the owners were excited to have the opportunity to receive a fair value for their property and to permanently protect its wilderness values.  The Trust purchased the property in 2007.

“Forest Service staff were concerned about the possibility of a roaded destination within the Mt. Shasta Wilderness and considered the opportunity to protect this inholding important to pursue and vital to protecting wilderness values in the surrounding Mt. Shasta Wilderness.  The Trust was happy to work with the Forest Service to make this acquisition happen and eliminate another threat to our cherished wilderness.” said Reid Haughey, President. 

"We are greatly indebted to the Wilderness Land Trust for their contributions to our Wilderness lands," Sharon Heywood, Shasta-Trinity National Forest Supervisor, said. "Their efforts to acquire these pristine areas and turn them over to us for protection and management demonstrates a genuine commitment to Wilderness preservation. Our partnership with the Trust ensures future generations will be able to enjoy and appreciate these lands in their wild and primeval state."

The United States Congress designated the Mt. Shasta Wilderness in 1984 and it now has a total of approximately 34,000 acres, due to the recent addition donated by The Trust.

Mount Shasta dominates the landscape for several hundred miles in all directions, the mountain looms 14,162 feet, a beautiful snow-cloaked massif, second only to Mount Rainer in height among the Cascade Range volcanoes.  Although the last documented eruption occurred in 1786, geologists classify Shasta as an active volcano. Below the seven glaciers that drape the mountain’s slopes, there are ancient lava flows, a hot sulphur spring, and waterfalls tumbling down deep canyons cut through rugged buttes. 

Picturesque red and white fir and whitebark pine grow near the treeline (around 8,000 feet).  They preside above a forest of red fir and mixed conifers that include hemlock, cedar, sugar pine, Jeffrey pine, white fir and Douglas fir, with an understory of shrubs.  On the north side, where lava once flowed, aspen, mountain mahogany and juniper thrive.