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Some places you visit and some places you
experience, but staying at Cave Springs Resort
you’ll make history…family history
and memories of a lifetime to pass on generation
after generation. We did.
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Visiting
Cave
Springs Resort
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Since the 1920’s, weary travelers have rested their tired bodies at this
magical spot situated right on the Sacramento River in Dunsmuir, California at
the bottom of majestic Mount Shasta. A lot has evolved since those beginning
days before Interstate 5 was built. But in many ways, not much has changed at
all, as Cave Springs still creates a haven for families to bond, relax, and enjoy
the best the Shasta area has to offer all ages. Things like fly fishing and horseback
riding in the spring and summer, ice fishing in the winter, skiing, snow mobiling,
shopping, ice skating, hiking, snow shoeing, cross country, jet skiing, and exploring
are still favorites. Cave Springs offers accommodation choices ranging
from tiny modest cabins overlooking the river,
to fully furnished manufactured home rentals.
All are modest yet cozy
and comfortable. Many of the cabins include extras like full kitchens, multiple
bedrooms and bathrooms, and even a Jacuzzi and view looking out at the awe-inspiring
mountain and raging river. Best of all, Cave Springs is central to all the fun.
It's the perfect hub from which to experience it all. Owner Louie Dewey’s parents took over Cave Springs in the 40’s and
Louie has kept the tradition alive continuing to offer warm hospitality and kindness
to the guests who call his home their home away from home.
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Mount Shasta |
On our arrival day we were a bit early and
had plans to snowmobile just north of Shasta
at Deer Mountain Snow Mobile Park. When we
arrived, our rental home
was almost ready but we were kindly offered another unit to use to change into
our snow mobiling garb.
A quick drive north and we embarked on our
first family adventure. All three generations
donned helmets and underwent the safety briefing
and then we were
off on the most gorgeous winter wonderland trek exploring breathtaking vistas
and outlooks throughout the Klamath national forestlands. We were accompanied
by our gracious and knowledgeable guide, long time resident and outdoor enthusiast
Michele Valdez. My kids are still begging to “play in the snow again with Michele.” None
of us will ever forget the memory of our three generations of family trekking
through the pristine wilderness on gorgeous groomed trails and off the beaten
path, enjoying the vast outdoors, enveloped in a blanket of white.
Michele was the perfect hostess, stopping us
to offer us bits of history and fact as we
soared like eagles over the pristine hills,
powdered mountains, and
snowy meadows. With patience and gentleness, she made the kids feel right at
home. The snowmobiles and safety gear only enhanced the experience for everyone.
Michele has won safety awards through the California Nevada Snowmobile Association
and countless families are amazed at what an unforgettable experience she makes
for kids of all ages.
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Dunsmuir is located in Northern California (red dot on this map) |
After an unforgettable afternoon, our clan,
ranging from toddler to senior citizen, enjoyed
a delicious steak dinner at the Black Bear
Diner in Shasta City. The
food was of great quality and enormous portions as it always is Black Bear Diners
throughout California. With some adorable souvenirs the kids purchased in the
gift shop, we were ready to retreat back to our little home away from home at
Cave Springs where the 24 hour a day Jacuzzi felt great on our exercised muscles.
After a restful night’s sleep on comfortable beds followed by a leisurely
steak and eggs breakfast we whipped up in our full kitchen, we were ready to
explore the historic and charming towns of both Dunsmuir and Shasta City. We
spent hours browsing gift shops and eclectic book stores. We then headed up the
gorgeous mountain of Shasta to the Bunny Flat recreation area to let the kids
sled and play in the snow. At the bottom of the mountain we stopped to
enjoy the headwaters of the Sacramento River
where it all begins with the purest crystal
mountain water coming right
out of Shasta. There’s a great park and museum there for all ages to enjoy. In both the towns of Shasta and Dunsmuir one
would be surprised how many gorgeous parks,
botanical gardens, fish hatcheries, waterfalls
and points of historical
interest wait to entice, educate, and entertain everyone in the family all within
just minutes of Cave Springs resort. There’s so much to do, or not do. Talk about friendly, the small town atmosphere
of both towns makes me yearn for the days
when growing up was so sweet and simple in
so many small California
towns. A short stop to visit Hedge Creek Falls proved
fascinating also. It’s just
one of many hidden and little known gems of the area. Later, we hiked along the river and explored
Cave Springs. The kids loved climbing into
the cave dripping with the natural soda water
that gave the place its name.
The train occasionally rolled by, adding to the ambiance of a great family destination.
The kids played on the playground and investigated the area. Back at our rental,
we enjoyed movies, games, and a delicious dinner together.
On our final day, we arose to try our hand
at ice fishing just outside Shasta at Castle
Lake.
A short drive north, and a beautiful hike over a knoll in the snow, revealed
a breathtaking taste of wilderness as we walked out onto a serenely peaceful
frozen Castle Lake. Rods and bait in hand, we began dropping our line in a few
of the small ice fishing holes drilled by locals into the deep snow and ice.
Within minutes the fish were biting and we caught our fist German Brown trout
with several rainbows to follow. The kids were tickled and Nana was equally pleased.
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Castle Lake |
On the sheer mountains surrounding Castle Lake,
an occasional cross country skier or snowshoer
waved hello and inquired as to our luck.
I was surprised how safe it was for small kids
as the holes drilled in the ice were very
small and the ice itself was extremely thick
and strong. Be sure to
wear lots of sunblock. We did and we still got too much sun. Trout in hand, we romped through the snow back
to our vehicle, a bit tired but ecstatic
from our morning fishing. We only had three days in the Dunsmuir area
but can’t wait to go back in
the spring and learn fly-fishing with area fishing expert, guide, and instructor
Chris Raine. He makes gorgeous works-of-art by creating fly fishing rods out
of raw bamboo. Even in the winter you must stop by and see his beautiful masterpieces
that are truly objects d’art and things of beauty to behold for anyone,
fisher person or not. Chris and Mayor Mike Lucia are instrumental in working
to extend the sport-fishing season in the area to an all year schedule. Soon
Dunsmuir may be an all season fly fishing family destination. “The idea is self-serving to a certain extent,” fishing and river
fanatic Chris said. “But the river is one of the main reasons I moved here.
We have something special to offer here.”
Special and magical are two ways I’d certainly describe Dunsmuir, California.
The locals are friendly, accommodating, and willing to share a little of the
town’s history and magic that has made it such a special place for so many
for so long. A sense of community that seems to have vanished in much of the
state, still flourishes in Dunsmuir. Locals rally together to volunteer in maintaining
the botanical gardens and making the area a better place to live and visit. Local and outdoor lover, Pancho Fairhurst,
who’s been leading groups ice
fishing for years, went so far as to loan us some gear and help draw us a map
to the best ice fishing spots. All his tips proved beneficial and valuable. This
is the kind of old-fashioned generosity and hospitality we encountered everywhere
we visited. It’s refreshing to see some things don’t change too much. Although we only had a few days, we felt surprisingly
refreshed and invigorated from our little
Shasta area getaway. All the fresh air and
sunshine had something
to do with it, I’m sure. Sad to leave, at least we could look forward
to going back in the late spring and enjoying
the other wonderful recreational activities
the area offers like
hot air ballooning, fly fishing, dinner train ride, and hiking. If your family likes adventure, fishing, history,
and enjoying life at a leisurely pace, or
any combination thereof, then Dunsmuir is
your next must-visit family
destination. It’s the kind of place where you’ll make priceless family
memories, bond, and come back renewed and planning your next visit! Any time
of year, it’s great. Visit before the snow and ice melts so you can enjoy
the best winter and early spring fun around.
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At
the base of Mount Shasta, the Cave
Springs Resort and the town of
Dunsmuir beckon weary travelers
and city-dwellers. Escape for a
nature infused adventure, or just
quiet relaxation. There is plenty
to do, even if you wish to do nothing
at all.