Castle Dome
Photo: theforestprimeval, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)- 2.2 mi
- round trip
- 1,056 ft
- climb
- 4,686 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- Apr–Oct
- best months
Castle Dome is a moderate hike of about 2.2 miles with an elevation gain of about 1,056 feet, set in Castle Crags State Park in California. The trail is an out-and-back that starts and ends at a low point of about 3,612 feet and reaches a high point of about 4,686 feet. The trail is a natural-surface route, and bikes are not allowed on it. It is managed by California's State Park and Recreation system and is open year-round. Late spring and early fall tend to be the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Mt Shasta show May highs around 68°F and September highs around 78°F, while July and August average highs in the mid-80s and winter brings the most wet days. That station sits about 1,000 feet below the trail's high point, so temperatures up top run cooler. Pin Cushion Wall and Super Crack Spire, two climbing areas, sit about 0.2 miles away. Root Creek Trail and Bob's Hat Trail are close by, and Castle Lake Campground is about 5.6 miles off.
- Pin Cushion WallRock climbingPhoto: theforestprimeval, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)0.2 mi
- Super Crack SpireRock climbingPhoto: theforestprimeval, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)0.2 mi
Root Creek TrailHikingPhoto: theforestprimeval, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)0.4 mi
Bob's Hat TrailHikingPhoto: Orin Zebest, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)0.7 mi- Little Castle CreekCanoeing2 mi
- Girard Ridge LookoutCamping3.5 mi
- Castle CreekCanoeing4.1 mi
- Castle Lake CampgroundCamping5.6 mi
Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)
- Root Creek TrailHiking · Next doorPhoto: theforestprimeval, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
- Bob's Hat TrailHiking · ~1 min drivePhoto: Orin Zebest, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
Flume TrailHiking · ~2 min drivePhoto: AlishaV, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)- Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail #2000Hiking · ~9 min drive
Vista Point TrailHiking · ~2 min drivePhoto: steinbdj, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
Root Creek TrailHiking · ~1 min drivePhoto: theforestprimeval, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)- Tom Neal Trail 3W08Hiking · ~10 min drive
- Pacific Crest TrailHiking · ~5 min drive
- Pacific Crest TrailHiking · ~2 min drivePhoto: steinbdj, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
Milt Kenny TrailHiking · ~2 min drivePhoto: inkknife_2000 (7.5 million views +), CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
Also worth it near here
Best time to visit Castle Dome
Best months: April–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
44° / 27°
13 wet
Feb
48° / 28°
12 wet
Mar
53° / 31°
13 wet
Apr
59° / 34°
11 wet
May
68° / 40°
9 wet
Jun
76° / 46°
5 wet
Jul
85° / 51°
2 wet
Aug
84° / 49°
2 wet
Sep
78° / 44°
3 wet
Oct
64° / 38°
6 wet
Nov
50° / 31°
11 wet
Dec
43° / 27°
13 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Mt Shasta, CA, 10.7 mi away at 3,613 ft. The station sits about 1,100 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
