Wikimedia CommonsCalifornia & Pacific Northwest
Sierra Nevada Corridor
California's sacred peaks, ancient groves, and coastal creation sites
10-14 days~1,800 km10 stops
A journey through the volcanic peaks and old-growth forests that anchor the mythologies of California's Indigenous peoples and the Pacific Northwest nations. From the sky-spirit battleground of Mount Shasta to the Quileute homeland at La Push, this route traces the Cascade Range and the coast where oral traditions have preserved geological memory for thousands of years.
Route Timeline
Day 1-2California Indigenous
Mount Shasta
The volcanic peak where the sky spirit Skell made his home among the Klamath, Modoc, Wintu, and Achumawi peoples
Mount Shasta, CA
Start at Mount Shasta. Drive up to Bunny Flat trailhead for the alpine views and visit the headwaters of the Sacramento River at the base.
Day 3California Indigenous
Captain Jack's Stronghold
A lava fortress in the Modoc Lava Beds where 53 warriors held off 600 U.S. soldiers for five months — the last Indian war in California
Klamath Falls, OR (50 miles north)
Head east to Lava Beds National Monument for Captain Jack's Stronghold — the site of the Modoc War. Explore the lava tube caves nearby.
Day 4-5Pacific Northwest
Crater Lake
The collapsed volcano where Llao, spirit of the Below-World, met his defeat at the hands of Skell
Klamath Falls, OR
Cross into Oregon for Crater Lake. Drive Rim Drive if the season allows and hike the Cleetwood Cove Trail down to the water. Arrive early for the clearest blue.
Day 6Pacific Northwest
Bridge of the Gods
The natural land bridge that once dammed the Columbia River — remembered in oral tradition as a crossing built by the gods
Portland, OR (45 miles west)
Follow the Cascades north to Bridge of the Gods at Cascade Locks. The Pacific Crest Trail crosses here — walk the bridge if you can.
Day 7-8Pacific Northwest
La Push
The Quileute village at the edge of the continent, where the people were transformed from wolves
Forks, WA (15 miles east)
Drive west to the Olympic Peninsula and La Push. Respect that this is a living Quileute community. Walk the beaches and watch for sea stacks at sunset.
Day 9California Indigenous
Yurok Redwood Groves
The coast redwood forests of northern California where the Yurok people maintain a relationship with the tallest living things on Earth
Crescent City, CA / Eureka, CA
Head south along the coast to the Yurok Redwood Groves. Prairie Creek and Jedediah Smith offer the most accessible old-growth forest walks.
Day 10California Indigenous
Mount Konocti
The dormant volcano over Clear Lake where two Pomo chiefs fought to the death and became the mountain's twin peaks
Kelseyville, CA / Lakeport, CA
Inland to Clear Lake and Mount Konocti. The Pomo sacred mountain is best viewed from the lake shore. A quieter, less-touristed stop.
Day 11California Indigenous
Mount Tamalpais
The mountain the Coast Miwok considered the center of the world — whose profile is a sleeping woman visible from across the Bay
Mill Valley, CA (at the mountain's base)
Continue south to Mount Tamalpais — the Sleeping Lady of the Bay Area. Hike to East Peak above the fog line for panoramic views.
Day 12California Indigenous
Point Reyes
Where Coyote created the world from a flood, in the tradition of the Coast Miwok people
San Francisco, CA
Cross to Point Reyes National Seashore, the Coast Miwok creation site. Visit the lighthouse and walk Tomales Point for elk and wildflowers.
Day 13-14California Indigenous
Chumash Painted Cave
A small sandstone cave in the Santa Ynez Mountains bearing Chumash rock art that may record a supernova observed in 1006 CE
Santa Barbara, CA (12 miles south)
End with the Chumash Painted Cave near Santa Barbara. The cave is behind a gate but viewable. Pair with a visit to the Santa Ynez Valley.
See all 10 stops plotted on the interactive map.
View these sites on the map