Walk the beautiful Box Canyon trail that begins just north of the gorge. Castle Shore Trail Meandering along the lake shoreline along north side through pine forest, the trail ends at a sheer, impassable granite wall. You will pass the University at Davis Water Research Lab. Fairly level trail but watch for tree roots in trail. Castle Lake Trail Climbs steeply along forested granite bowl slope giving excellent views of Castle Lake and portions of Mt. Shasta.
Trails splits to either Heart Lake or Little Castle Lake over the ridge.
Heart Lake cut-off is unmarked and unmaintained. Strenuous at first, then moderate rocky path. Must ford shallow lake outlet to reach trail. Mt. Shasta rises to the east and Mt. Eddy lies to the north. No less spectacular are the view of Castle Crags to the south and the Trinity Alps to the west as seen from Deadfall Summit.