Heart Lake Trail

Heart Lake Trail (also named Twin Meadows Trail) is a short, high-reward hike in the Castle Lake area near Mount Shasta, climbing from the Castle Lake parking area to Heart Lake for big mountain views.

Route style is a steady uphill through forest and alpine terrain, with switchbacks used as the trail rises above Castle Lake before it opens onto higher, meadow-and-rock country near Heart Lake.

The approach follows Castle Lake’s eastern shore for the early part of the climb; when the route reaches the alpine zone it avoids old decommissioned paths and continues with a gentle climb and contours around rocky points above the lake.

Near the destination, the trail passes through small meadow areas and then continues along rocky sections marked with cairns before dropping into the final basin at Heart Lake.

At Heart Lake, the water is tucked into the rocky cliffs and provides views of Mount Shasta and the surrounding Castle Crags area; there are also small ponds/camp areas nearby, but Heart Lake itself is not described as having established campsites.

Seasonality runs May–Nov for the main trail, with winter use noted as snowshoeing.

More information: Visitor information, Heart Lake Trail | Hike Mt. Shasta, Heart Lake Trail | Trail Map and Directions - Adirondack Nature