Not far south of Mount Shasta in the southernmost Cascades of far northern California, there is an amazing granite formation known as Castle Crags, within aptly named Castle Crags State Park.

Driving north on Interstate 5 just beyond Shasta Lake, it appears suddenly, towering above the freeway on the west side.

On a recent trip to the area, I photographed the crags from near and far. They are amazingly beautiful from any angle!