Last weekend, 12 members of the All About The Bay community set out for an unforgettable camping trip to Mount Shasta. Over the course of three days, we shared incredible experiences—meditations, hikes to majestic waterfalls, and meaningful conversations around the campfire. The trip was more than just exploring the natural beauty of this sacred place; it was about deepening our connection to each other and the land. Here’s a recap of our adventure-filled weekend and the special moments that made it unforgettable.
Arrival: Setting Up Under the Stars
We arrived on Thursday evening, just as the sun disappeared behind the horizon. The twilight glow set a magical tone as we set up our tents and prepared a delicious communal dinner around the campfire. The air was filled with excitement, and despite the darkness, we bonded quickly over food and stories. With Mount Shasta looming in the distance, we felt both grounded and energized, eager to see what adventures awaited us in the coming days.
Day 1: Holy Water and Karen’s Grounding Meditation
Our first full day began with a trip to the Headwaters of the Sacramento River on Friday morning. Known for its spring-fed, crystal-clear waters, this spot is believed by many to have healing properties. As we filled our bottles with this sacred “holy water,” we could already feel a sense of renewal washing over us. The peace and serenity of the surroundings made it the perfect start to the day.
At the Headwaters, Karen Barbarick-Collins—a Certified Ayurvedic Technician, Yoga Teacher, and author of Mars Warrior Salutations—shared a brief history of Mount Shasta. She explained how the mountain is considered one of the Earth’s most powerful energy centers, believed to be the “Earth’s Root Chakra.” Spiritual seekers from around the world are drawn to its grounding energy, and Karen’s insights gave us a deeper appreciation for the sacred land we were exploring.
After our history lesson, Karen took us higher up the mountain to a peaceful spot where she led us in a special grounding meditation. Using her instrumental tool, she performed sound healing, and the soothing vibrations blended with the natural sounds of the mountain, creating an atmosphere of deep calm and connection. As we sat quietly, the resonance of her music and the energy of Mount Shasta grounded us, leaving us feeling centered and attuned to the natural world around us.
Unfortunately, Karen had to leave after the meditation to attend to her business, but her presence and the grounding energy she shared with us remained a powerful force throughout the rest of the weekend.
At the Headwaters, Karen Barbarick-Collins—a Certified Ayurvedic Technician, Yoga Teacher, and author of Mars Warrior Salutations—shared a brief history of Mount Shasta. She explained how the mountain is considered one of the Earth’s most powerful energy centers, believed to be the “Earth’s Root Chakra.” Spiritual seekers from around the world are drawn to its grounding energy, and Karen’s insights gave us a deeper appreciation for the sacred land we were exploring.
After our history lesson, Karen took us higher up the mountain to a peaceful spot where she led us in a special grounding meditation. Using her instrumental tool, she performed sound healing, and the soothing vibrations blended with the natural sounds of the mountain, creating an atmosphere of deep calm and connection. As we sat quietly, the resonance of her music and the energy of Mount Shasta grounded us, leaving us feeling centered and attuned to the natural world around us.
Unfortunately, Karen had to leave after the meditation to attend to her business, but her presence and the grounding energy she shared with us remained a powerful force throughout the rest of the weekend.
Day 2: Hedge Creek Falls, Mossbrae Falls, and Faery Falls
Saturday was all about waterfalls. After a hearty breakfast, we made our way to Hedge Creek Falls, a charming waterfall that allowed us to walk behind the cascading water. The cool mist from the falls was refreshing, and the peaceful surroundings made it feel like a perfect escape from the world. We took our time here, appreciating the beauty of the waterfall and the tranquility of the forest.
Our original plan was to hike from Hedge Creek Falls to Mossbrae Falls, but we soon learned that there is no direct trail between the two. The City of Dunsmuir is working on raising funds to create a public trail to connect them, but until then, access remains tricky. Undeterred, Weihaur and Amy decided to tackle the challenge head-on. They bravely navigated their way by walking through water and climbing over slippery rocks to reach Mossbrae Falls. Their perseverance paid off as they finally arrived at the stunning Mossbrae Falls, known for its multiple streams of water flowing over moss-covered cliffs into the Sacramento River.
The rest of us, however, had trouble finding Mossbrae Falls via a drivable route. Instead of wasting time, we decided to explore Faery Falls, a hidden gem tucked away in the forest. True to its name, Faery Falls had an almost magical quality, with gentle waters and a peaceful ambiance that made us feel as though we had stepped into a fairytale. We spent time here reflecting and soaking in the calm before heading back to meet Weihaur and Amy at Hedge Creek Falls.
When Weihaur and Amy rejoined us, they shared tales of their adventurous trek to Mossbrae Falls. Although the rest of us hadn’t made it there, we all appreciated the beauty of the waterfalls we had visited and the sense of accomplishment that came from our explorations. That evening, we gathered around the campfire for another shared meal, enjoying the camaraderie that had developed over the past couple of days.
Our original plan was to hike from Hedge Creek Falls to Mossbrae Falls, but we soon learned that there is no direct trail between the two. The City of Dunsmuir is working on raising funds to create a public trail to connect them, but until then, access remains tricky. Undeterred, Weihaur and Amy decided to tackle the challenge head-on. They bravely navigated their way by walking through water and climbing over slippery rocks to reach Mossbrae Falls. Their perseverance paid off as they finally arrived at the stunning Mossbrae Falls, known for its multiple streams of water flowing over moss-covered cliffs into the Sacramento River.
The rest of us, however, had trouble finding Mossbrae Falls via a drivable route. Instead of wasting time, we decided to explore Faery Falls, a hidden gem tucked away in the forest. True to its name, Faery Falls had an almost magical quality, with gentle waters and a peaceful ambiance that made us feel as though we had stepped into a fairytale. We spent time here reflecting and soaking in the calm before heading back to meet Weihaur and Amy at Hedge Creek Falls.
When Weihaur and Amy rejoined us, they shared tales of their adventurous trek to Mossbrae Falls. Although the rest of us hadn’t made it there, we all appreciated the beauty of the waterfalls we had visited and the sense of accomplishment that came from our explorations. That evening, we gathered around the campfire for another shared meal, enjoying the camaraderie that had developed over the past couple of days.
Day 3: Returning to the Holy Water and Cavern Tour
On Sunday, our final day, we made one last trip to the Headwaters of the Sacramento River to collect more holy water before heading out on our next adventure. The cool, refreshing water felt like a blessing as we prepared to bid farewell to Mount Shasta, and we savored the quiet moments spent by the springs.
Our last stop was the Cavern Tour, where we explored Mount Shasta’s fascinating volcanic history. The tour took us deep into the lava tubes, offering us a glimpse of the mountain’s hidden, ancient world. The cool darkness of the caverns was a sharp contrast to the sunlit trails we had been hiking the previous days, and the natural formations inside the lava tubes were awe-inspiring. Learning about the geological processes that shaped Mount Shasta added a whole new layer of appreciation to our adventure.
After emerging from the caverns, we packed up our campsite, feeling a mix of fulfillment and reluctance to leave. The Cavern Tour had brought our experience full circle—from the sacred waters of the Headwaters to the depths of Mount Shasta’s volcanic past.
Our last stop was the Cavern Tour, where we explored Mount Shasta’s fascinating volcanic history. The tour took us deep into the lava tubes, offering us a glimpse of the mountain’s hidden, ancient world. The cool darkness of the caverns was a sharp contrast to the sunlit trails we had been hiking the previous days, and the natural formations inside the lava tubes were awe-inspiring. Learning about the geological processes that shaped Mount Shasta added a whole new layer of appreciation to our adventure.
After emerging from the caverns, we packed up our campsite, feeling a mix of fulfillment and reluctance to leave. The Cavern Tour had brought our experience full circle—from the sacred waters of the Headwaters to the depths of Mount Shasta’s volcanic past.
Final Reflections: A Journey of Connection and Exploration
As we drove away from Mount Shasta, a shared sense of gratitude and fulfillment filled the air. This camping trip had been more than just a weekend in nature; it was a journey of personal discovery, connection with others, and a deep bond with the sacred energy of the mountain. We had arrived as individuals, but we left as a tight-knit community, forged through the experiences we shared over the course of the weekend.
Karen’s grounding meditation, the daring trek to Mossbrae Falls by Weihaur and Amy, the peaceful beauty of Faery Falls, and the awe-inspiring Cavern Tour all left lasting impressions on each of us. Mount Shasta’s energy had touched us in ways we hadn’t anticipated, allowing us to reconnect with nature, each other, and ourselves.
As we made our way home, we reflected on the magic of Mount Shasta. It had offered us an opportunity to unplug from the daily grind, to recharge, and to strengthen the bonds between friends new and old. The mountain’s sacred spirit will stay with us long after our tents are packed away, and we all left with the same feeling: we would return one day to experience its magic again.
Until next time, Mount Shasta—we will carry your spirit with us. 🌲✨
As we made our way home, we reflected on the magic of Mount Shasta. It had offered us an opportunity to unplug from the daily grind, to recharge, and to strengthen the bonds between friends new and old. The mountain’s sacred spirit will stay with us long after our tents are packed away, and we all left with the same feeling: we would return one day to experience its magic again.
Until next time, Mount Shasta—we will carry your spirit with us. 🌲✨
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