Looking to do a 9,000 ft. mountain but find McLaughlin (9,495’) and Thielsen (9,182’) too technical, then 9,025’ Mt. Eddy is for you. Often overlooked in the shadow of neighboring Mount Shasta, Mount Eddy is a trifecta for me—a triple divide peak, uncrowded, the tallest mountain in the Klamath Mountains (5,100 ft. prominence). But it is a hike the entire way. The only thing I use my hands for is water and lunch.

Eddy has everything I covet in a trail: variation, challenge and earned views. It’s a 9.5 mile round trip, 6.6 if you take the steeper and more interesting Deadfalls Meadows trailhead. The longer, more popular Parks Creek route doesn’t afford the better views of the many small, pristine lakes and stunning Trinity Alps vistas. Either way you will encounter lush mountain wild flowers and grassy meadows.

The last .6 miles to the summit is a series of switchbacks with each turn offering one smashing view after another. Mt. Eddy loses its definition the closer you get as the surrounding peaks come into focus. Suddenly, without warning, there she is right before your eyes—Mt. Shasta as you have not before seen her. In your face.

Once on top, a large footprint, as magnificent as Lady Shasta might be, you are now treated to a vast, sweeping panorama. Whaleback, Goosenest and Willow Creek Mountain to the north, with distant Mount McLoughlin in plain sight.

Gazing northwest, Scott Valley, the Marble and Russian mountains are easily spotted. Turning to the west is a post card view of the Trinity Alps, with nearly every major summit of the eastern, higher part of the range visible.

Southward the remaining Trinity Divide is easily visible. Feast on major peaks, including the Grey Rocks, the Castle Crags—Castle Peak, Grey Rock Dome and Harry Watkins stare back at you. Off to the south, Lassen Peak and Mount Tehama are a distant but distinct horizon.

This is a dream outing for photographers like myself. Even on the hottest days in the Valley it rarely hits 80 on this trip considering it is all above 6,000’ which also makes it rattler and poison oak free. Add in dog friendly and it’s just about as perfect as it gets in the summer. Snow makes it impassable from about November to late April.

It is often very windy on top. And in July can be 50º so I save lunch for one of the crystal lakes or lower bluffs.