In the northeastern corner of California lies one of the country's most beautiful regions—the Shasta Cascade.

Covering an area roughly the size of Ohio, unspoiled, breathtaking vistas enthrall visitors with towering mountains, volcanoes, glaciers, waterfalls, whitewater rivers, dense lush forests and glistening lakes. The Shasta Cascade region contains seven national forests, numerous national and state parks, the Trinity Alps and the California Cascade range—including two giant glaciated volcanoes, the dormant 14,162 foot Mt. Shasta and the still active 10,457-foot Lassen Peak.

With a population of less than 450,000, it is difficult to believe that this area could be part of one of the most populated states in the nation, California. The Shasta Cascade is where people go to get away from the frantic city pace, appealing to those who like a leisurely approach to the outdoors as well as those who enjoy adventure.

The varied terrain of the National Forests offers endless opportunities for mountain bikers. To help introduce you to these forests, a handful of Forest Service riders, along with people who have an intense interest in mountain biking, have put together a number of rides to share with you.

A note on the difficulty ratings—remember, these are subjective ratings only, everyone's riding ability will differ somewhat, so keep this in mind when choosing a ride.