Wintu

The mountain gets its name from the local Shasta tribe, but they're not the only native population living in the mountain's foothills.

In fact, the area is home to the Shasta, Wintu, Achumawi, and Modoc people, among others.

And unsurprisingly, many of them have legends about the prominent peak.

According to the Wintu, the very first members of their tribe emerged from a sacred healing spring right there on Mount Shasta.

To this day, they hold a ceremony by that spring every August.

Meanwhile, the Wintu claim that there were once giants living within the mountain and that spirit beings dwell above the tree line.

In fact, humans should never go above the tree line at all, they say, except for rituals, advice that the Shasta people insist upon as well.

In Modoc mythology, the great creator himself resides on the mountain, and as such, Modoc people bring offerings like water or tobacco whenever they visit.