Sisson-Callahan National Recreation Trail landscape

Photo: Photo by Furrukh Jaffar on Unsplash

Sisson-Callahan National Recreation Trail

~2 days · 9.7 mi · moderate · Point-to-point

Quick facts

Distance9.7 mi
Days out2
Elevation gain4,544 ft
Gain / mile468 ft
High point8,018 ft

What the Sisson-Callahan National Recreation Trail is known for

The historic Sisson-Callahan National Recreation Trail climbs about 10 miles from the North Fork of the Sacramento River near Lake Siskiyou to the PCT at the Deadfall Lakes below Mt. Eddy, with steady views of Mount Shasta. Point-to-point (often linked with the PCT), usually an overnight.

Route map & campsites

Route map of the Sisson-Callahan National Recreation Trail on OpenStreetMap terrain Open in Planner →

Route shape from OpenStreetMap geometry. Start · End · Camp

Elevation profile

Elevation ranges from 11,581 ft to 26,220 ft over 9.7 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).

  • Uphill 8.3 mi · 86%
  • Downhill 1.4 mi · 14%
  • Flat 0.0 mi · 0%

Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.

Frequently asked questions

How many days does the Sisson-Callahan National Recreation Trail take?

Most backpackers hike the Sisson-Callahan National Recreation Trail in about 2 days (1 nights out) over its 9.7 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.

How high does the Sisson-Callahan National Recreation Trail go?

The Sisson-Callahan National Recreation Trail tops out near 8,018 ft over its 9.7 miles.

Related trails

Sources & attribution

Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.

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