Spiritual pilgrims at Mount Shasta, California

Even the casual visitor cannot fail to notice unusual activity on the slope s of Northern California's Mount Shasta. Prayer flags, altars, and crystals are found in the meadows; drumming, chanting, and meditation are commonpla ce. Non-indigenous spiritual pilgrims have found Mount Shasta a sacred plac e, An amorphous group of spiritual seekers, these are sometimes referred to as "New Age" adherents or "Crystal People." Within the Shasta-Trinity Nati onal Forest, the situation of this sacred site exemplifies the difficulties of reconciling nonsecular claims to public lands with secular management m andates. Spiritual activism at Mount Shasta includes recently successful op position to development of a Forest Service-endorsed ski area. Using a ques tionnaire survey and interviews, we compare the characteristics, activities , and attitudes toward resource management of spiritual pilgrims and others who visit Mount Shasta's meadows. Conclusions are drawn about the environm ental values and concerns of all visitors and of spiritual pilgrims in part icular, including some that bear on pilgrim activities and ecological resto ration efforts.