California Challenge
Trip Summary
Discover the awe-inspiring beauty of northern California with our 24-day adventure! Hike through the breathtaking Shasta-Trinity Alps, one of the coolest wilderness areas in North America. Cool off afterward with a thrilling whitewater rafting trip down the Trinity River. Challenge yourself with mountain biking and rock climbing in the scenic shadows of Mt. Shasta, and then prepare for a life-changing summit attempt of its iconic sister, Mt. Shastina. Afterward, enjoy three lively days of rafting and kayaking down the bouncy Rogue River! Cap off this incredible adventure with a hiking journey through the tallest Redwoods in the state, right on the beautiful CA coast, and an overnight rafting trip on the American River.
Itinerary
Hike in the Shasta-Trinity Alps
The Trinity Alps range was named after its more famous European counterpart due to its chiseled granite peaks and domes. Spend five days wandering through lush, green valleys carved by glaciers long ago, beneath one of the greatest conifer forests in the world. Black bear, bobcats, blacktailed deer, pine marten, wolverine, and many more species of wildlife call the Trinity Alps home. In the afternoon, cool off with a refreshing swim in one of the region’s hundreds of alpine lakes! At night, settle in with your new best friends, blanketed by the brightest stars you’ve ever seen.
Rock climb in Mt. Shasta
Gear up for a rock climbing adventure at the riverside crags near the behemoth Mt. Shasta! With routes for all abilities, you'll challenge yourself and progress at your own pace. Reach new heights as you climb against the backdrop of stunning natural beauty. When it's time to cool off, take a refreshing plunge into one of the sparkling swimming holes in the Sacramento River. Today combines the excitement of climbing with the fun of swimming holes in the forest.
Mountain bike in Mt. Shasta
The next day, you'll love riding the trails around Lake Siskiyou, nestled at the foot of Mt. Shasta. Choose your adventure: Zoom down thrilling flowy trails or take a mellower approach on beginner-friendly tracks. Wind your way through thick forests and enjoy wide-open trails that offer breathtaking views and a super-fun biking experience.
Summit attempt of Mt. Shastina
We’ll spend two memorable days on this mammoth, 12,335-foot mountain that commands the landscape of northern California. First, learn how to use ice axes and crampons in snow school. Then for our summit attempt, we’ll wake up when it’s still dark to start our hike—our reward is the most vibrant sunrise you’ve ever seen and the thrill of accomplishing an incredibly impressive feat.
Hike in Redwoods National and State Parks
Gaze in awe at the towering giants of California’s old-growth coastal Redwoods, some soaring over 300 feet high! Over several exciting days, you’ll hike through these majestic, world-famous forests, shaded by the tallest trees on earth. Walk through vibrant fields of wildflowers, including the iconic lupine and rhododendrom blooms. Keep your eyes peeled for hawks, bald eagles, osprey, and peregrine falcons gliding through the sky overhead. You may see Roosevelt elk and deer gracefully moving through the forest or grazing in the scenic coastal grasslands. And if you’re really lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of a playful fox or a sleek river otter! On the coast itself, peer into the tidepools for bright pink, purple, and green sea stars, anenome, sea urchins, crabs, and more! In the distance, you may see harbor seals, sea lions, and gray whales.
This is more than just a hike—it’s an unforgettable adventure in nature’s most awe-inspiring playground.
Whitewater raft the Trinity, Rogue, and American rivers
After your hike through the Trinity Alps, work together as a team to navigate the rapids down the Wild and Scenic Trinity River. If we're lucky, we might see river otters and beavers at home in the water, or black bear, foxes, deer, or elk on the shores! This area has a ton of bald eagles, so keep your eyes to the skies as well.
Spend three blissfully fun days bonding with your friends while paddling down another Wild and Scenic River: the Rogue in southern Oregon! Feel the rush as you navigate through thrilling rapids surrounded by pristine wilderness and rugged canyons. During the day, the adventure never stops with splash wars and laughter echoing across the water. In the evenings, relax on the riverbanks and share stories under a starry sky.
At the end of your trip, get ready for two epic days on the Wild and Scenic American River! Fueled by the fresh snow melt from the Sierra Nevada and surrounded by lush, vibrant scenery, this is the ultimate whitewater rafting experience. Ride the continuous rapids and feel the rush as you navigate the twists and turns of this exhilarating river.
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