The best way to see the Mount Shasta [1] area is to get out of your car, onto your own two feet, and walk back into the wilderness. Some of the best hiking in all of California can be found on and around Mount Shasta.
This beautiful region abounds with waterfalls, pine forests, rivers, streams, and fascinating geology. Informal camping and backpacking (wilderness permits required) can create a wonderful multi-day hiking [2] trip.
Day hikes [3] offer everything from easy strolls great for kids and older travelers to strenuous miles that can take you up to minor mountain peaks for tremendous views of the whole southern Cascade mountain region.
The Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area (www.fs.fed.us/r5/shastatrinity/recreation [4]) encompasses quite a bit of land. Unlike many parks, the trailheads of Shasta-Trinity tend to be spread out. You’ll need to do some highway driving between many of them.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/california/lake-tahoe-and-the-northern-sierra/mount-shasta
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/california/lake-tahoe-and-the-northern-sierra/mount-shasta/recreation/hiking/backcountry-hiking
[3] http://www.moon.com/destinations/california/lake-tahoe-and-the-northern-sierra/mount-shasta/recreation/hiking/day-hiking
[4] http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/shastatrinity/recreation