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These trails are maintained by the Forest Service and Mt. Shasta Sno-mobilers Inc. Also there are several hundred other trails that are marked but not maintained.
Each park has a warming hut, restroom, loading ramp, parking area, garbage service and firewood, you will need to bring a maul.
Before your trip, contact the Forest Service for the most current snowmobiling conditions.
No Snowmobile You Say, No Problem:
For your snowmobiling rental needs, the Fun Factory, Snowmobile & Water Craft Rentals will help you out. They meet 10 miles North of Weed at Deer Mountain Snowmobile Park, offering guided and unguided tours, kids too. Their tours cover all types of terrain and for people with all types of skill levels.
When you rent a snowmobile you receive a helmet and a 20 minute training session. Ask them about one hour rides, half day rides, full day rides, full moon rides, club rides and others rides as well.
Local Snowmobiling Areas:
- Deer Mountain/Chuck Best Memorial Snowmobile Park: Take Highway 97 going 10 miles North of Weed to USFS Road 42N12, Deer Mountain Road. Go 3 miles SE to Park. This park is only 30-40 minutes from Shasta Ranch Lodge. This is the most popular park in the area.
- Pilgrim Creek Snowmobile Park: Take Highway 89 going East. Go 33 miles past McCloud to Pilgrim Creek Road. Go 5 miles North to the Park. The park is approximately 55 minutes from Shasta Ranch Lodge. For current conditions contact the McCloud Ranger Station at 530.964.2184.
- Doorknob Snowmobile Park: One and a half miles south of Lava Beds National Monument, on Forest Road 49. This park is approximately 85 miles from Shasta Ranch Lodge. For current conditions contact the Doublehead Ranger Station at 530.299.3215, 530.667.2246.
- Four Corners Snowmobile Park: Take Highway 97 from Weed, turn off right outside of McDoel. Take Red Rock/Forest Road 15; go 28 miles to Park.
Be aware that each park does not provide any water, electricity, or fuel, there may be minimal cell phone service.
Also, the sheriff will be monitoring these parks. Keep it legal. A few examples of citations the Sheriff will issue are no helmet, expired sled registrations, and riding in non-snowmobile areas.
You are bound to have a great time on your winter snowmobiling vacation, and what better place to stay than Shasta Ranch Lodge. What a great combination, lodging and snowmobiling.
The lodge is centrally located to all four parks, it is one of the premier winter vacation homes available in the Mount Shasta area and provides plenty of parking for your trucks and snowmobile trailers. Just click the "SRL" brand above to inquire about your reservation.
Guest Comments:
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Great place to stay, you've done wonders with the place. We had a great time snowmobiling at Mt. Shasta with our friends!
The Theobalds |
Snowmobile Safety
Check the weather conditions prior to departing.
Dress appropriately.
Buy a current map, compass, and GPS for snowmobiling. Learn how to use them before your winter snowmobiling vacation.
Know the area you're riding in.
Learn proper riding skills from an instructor or a qualified rider and practice those skills.
Ride in a safe and responsible manner. Know your limits and do not exceed them.
Always bring a buddy. It's just safer.
Always leave your snowmobiling plans at home with family or friends. The plan should include what time are you leaving, what time you are returning, and what trails you plan to use, and your party's medical conditions. If your plans change on the trail, try to phone the changes home.
Be aware of potential hazards.
Watch for hanging wire that is covered by snow, low strung wire, fences, and tree stumps,
Make certain you have plenty of fuel, at the half tank be certain that you are on your way home.
Keep headlights and tail lights on at all times.
Dust headlights and taillights off frequently.
Each individual needs to carry everything that they will need, this includes a first aid kit. You can purchase small first aid kits or make your own.
Consider taking a FIRST AID/CPR course through the American Red Cross. The life saving measures you will learn will be invaluable in a crisis situation.
The two largest problems snowmobilers face are hypothermia and frostbite. Hypothermia is a serious and very dangerous problem for snowmobilers. It can result in unconsciousness followed by death.
Exhaustion, wind, wet, and cold can cause hypothermia. As a body's temperature decreases, a person starts to lose coordination and good judgement. They may slur their words, experience uncontrollable shivering, fumble with things in their hands and stumble while they are walking.
To treat someone that is suspected of suffering from hypothermia first remove them from the inclement weather. Remove their cold and wet clothing. Replace it with warm and dry clothing or a dry sleeping bag. Get in the sleeping bag with them to add addition warmth to the victim. Give the victim warm liquids and foods high in sugar content, never give them alcohol, and get them to medical help as soon as possible.
Frostbite often affects the ears and nose as they are usually not protected and the fingers and the toes as the flow of blood to those areas is reduced.
Symptoms of frostbite include the loss of sensation to the affected area and the area may turn "dead white" in appearance.
Frostbite treatment includes covering the entire affected areas. Try to restore body temperature as quickly as possible, either sit near a campfire or take a warm bath. Do not rub or apply pressure to affected areas, thaw areas in cold water, or apply snow to them.
Avoid bodies of water. Snow acts as an insulator and prevents strong, thick ice from forming. If you must cross a frozen body of water, fan out, distribute your group, do not cross in a single file. Your chances of staying above the water, instead of in the water, will be increased.
If you go through the ice, stay calm. Even a non-buoyant suite and helmet will keep you afloat for a few minutes. Extend your arms straight out and use anything sharp, knife, keys, pick, to help you dig into the ice.
Never take your gloves off, kick your feet and lunge onto the ice. If the ice keeps breaking, keep kicking and lunging. When you get out of the water, do not stand up, crawl or roll away because that ice can break again. It's safest just to stay off the ice.
Obey the laws. Snowmobiling laws change from state to state. Some states require wearing helmets, trail permits, registration, ect ... It is up to you to know the laws.
DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE. It is a bad idea; it slows your reaction time, increases the risk of hypothermia, and decreases the chances of making good decisions. It is also punishable by law in many states. Slow Down. Drinking, Drugs, and Speeding are usually the contributing factors in most fatal snowmobile accidents.
Snowmobiling EquipmentSpare Ignition Key
Flares
Flashlight and Extra Batteries
Fire Starting Materials
Knife or Leatherman
Before, during, and after each ride, keep your machine in top condition. Always be prepared. Breakdowns and accidents will occur. Being prepared however, may keep a simple event from becoming a major disaster.
Bringing along extra parts like spark plugs and a drive belt wouldn't be a bad idea either, along with a cord made for manual start snowmobiles, and a tow strap.
You are going to need a few tools too, flat head and philips screw drivers, pliers, hammer, spark plug wrench, adjustable wrench, electrical tape, rag, and anything else you fell is important.
Be safe and enjoy your snowmobiling vacation.
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Winter Snowmobiling Vacation or Home
