We found an even better view of Mt. Shasta as we drove along Hwy 97. We turned east on CA 44 in Redding and headed for Lassen Volcanic National Park but were turned away because the roads in the park had not been cleared of snow. Although this was the middle of July, the snow had still not melted and was still deep enough to require plowing. We left I-5 at Red Bluff and continued south on CA 99 through Chico and Oroville, to Marysville were we turned east on CA 20. The state of California was pursuaded to purchase the Empire Mine, which had been closed by its owners because of falling gold prices.
Some wags say the the state was taken in the deal.
Since you cannot go into the mine itself, but can only visit and inspect abandoned buildings and rusted equipment on the surface, it doesn't seem to be a good deal for the state of the visitors. We have been to the state capitol before, just two months earlier in fact, so we didn't plan on stopping. The capitol building itself is a handsome design surrounded by pleasant looking gardens. But Sacramento does not have a good feel to it. I don't care for the town much.