Spring snowshoeing on Mt. Shasta and Castle Lake

Broadway from Bunny Flat by Dawn Patrol Images

Spring is on it’s way, but there’s still time, and snow, to score a snowshoe adventure. Early spring outings are most often characterized by sunny days, landscapes and wildlife buzzing with energy. In the Mount Shasta area we’re blessed with plenty of options for snowshoe hikes, and it’s a wonderful way to take an intimate look at your surroundings.

Rolling terrain, a gentle traverse, or a heart-pounding climb can all be found on and around Mount Shasta. On the slopes of Mount Shasta or up at Castle Lake you’ll find trails where you can feel the sun on your face and get your heart pumping as you bliss out on a snowy trek. If something a little less strenuous suits you, the trails at the Mt. Shasta Nordic Center can offer some traverses through the forest.

On the slopes of Mount Shasta, the Bunny Flat trailhead, Sand Flat trailhead, and McBride Springs Road areas offer great uphill excursions. At McBride Springs you can follow a road through a lower elevation, more heavily treed area. Sand Flat is higher up on the mountain, just off Everitt Memorial Highway, where the woods are a bit more open and the hiking still not too strenuous as you hike into the flat via a road. Up at Bunny Flat  you’ll be following paths made by others through the snow or choosing your own route in mostly exposed areas that are above treeline. From Bunny Flat you can hike up to the Sierra Club cabin at Horse Camp, where you can take a break and savor the view.

Castle Lake sits across the narrow valley from Mount Shasta, so hiking at Castle Lake provides beautiful views of the mountain. You’ll be hiking up and around the lake in an area with fairly steep elevation gains. This is an area with varied terrain that can quickly become steep, so hire a guide or stop by one of the local shops (The Fifth Season or Shasta Basecamp) to ask for details and route and terrain conditions.
If you’re visualizing a beatific, carefree romp under stunning blue skies with snow crunching under foot, keep a few things in mind. Education is a must – to avoid potential avalanche danger, to be prepared should the weather turn nasty – and some basic techniques and preparation will help you reach your bliss. Even on well-used routes, like the trail from Bunny Flat to the Sierra Club cabin on Mt. Shasta, the danger for a slide exists. To learn about avalanche hazards check out the
informational clinics offered by the Mt. Shasta Avalanche Center, or take a winter skills class from a guide company. Check with local guide companies, such as Shasta Mountain Guides, Sierra Wilderness Seminars, Shasta Vortex Adventures, and the Mt. Shasta Fun Guide about booking a full or half day snowshoeing trip.

Dog sled rides start Dec 11th on Mt. Shasta

Dogsled rides on Mt. Shasta

Dogsled rides start this weekend, Saturday, Dec 11th on the shoulder of Mt. Shasta. If you’re coming to Shasta this winter, be sure to call in advance to schedule your trip with Dogsled Express. Pat Campbell, owner and musher at Dogsled Express, says call early to book your trip for a ride through the woods off Ski Park Highway. You get to bundle up in the sled and enjoy the smooth power of a team of dogs pulling you through the wilderness.

Summiting Mount Shasta: A Video

Summiting Mount Shasta remains the goal of many would-be adventurers. Here, one person records their odyssey and created a nice video. Enjoy!

Summiting the Volcano, Mt. Shasta California from Ryan Commons on Vimeo.

Test your mountain climbing skills – Where is your Summit?

First time visitors to Mt. Shasta are drawn to the 14,179’ mountain that towers over the town, and while some are content to watch the mountain, others choose hiking and climbing adventures on the slopes of the popular mountaineering destination.

Whether you’re a first time climber, an experienced alpine enthusiast, or a family looking to enjoy the lower slopes, you can find an option to suit you. First time climbers should climb with a guide service. The popular beginners’ route, Avalanche Gulch, is often climbed in two days, with a base camp established at Lake Helen and a steep climb up to Red Banks that requires crampon and ice axe skills.

Shasta Mountain Guides (SMG) takes climbers all over the mountain, from beginner routes in Avy Gulch and the West Face to more difficult routes. Steep, exposed Casaval Ridge and the Hotlum Glacier, with big crevasses, seracs, and ice falls, prepare climbers for conditions on Mount Rainer or Denali.

Chris Carr, co-owner of SMG, said that most of their clients are first-time climbers and that Mt. Shasta is the perfect peak for newcomers to the sport. If you’re thinking of climbing the mountain, Carr recommends a diligent training routine to prepare for the physical demands of climbing.

Plenty of families climbing together, and Carr said, “for the adventurous family this is a great challenge and experience for them.” This year’s climbing season is likely to extend well into the summer. Carr said Avalanche Gulch should be good through July, if not longer, and the Hotlum-Bolam route will be ideal June through September.

“It’s going to be a great season. All of the routes that we climb and guide are in excellent condition,” Carr said.

If learning to use crampons doesn’t appeal to you, explore lower elevations of the mountain by hiking. Day hiking from Bunny Flat to the Sierra Club cabin will take you into the tall trees and delicate landscapes of the sub-alpine forest. You can also hike to Hidden Valley, which Carr called “an incredible location to spend the day, and a reasonable hike in the summer from Horse Camp.”

The Weekend Skiing Forecast: 1/28/2010

After last week’s record-setting snowfall, the Mount Shasta Ski Park is operating everything – and the snow is fabulous.

With 12 feet of snow on the mountain, clear skis, and everything operating, it’s a perfect time for skiers to pack their gear and head to Mount Shasta for some seriously perfect ski conditions.

Backcountry skiers are advised that while conditions are generally good, there is still avalanche danger, and a visit to the Avalanche Center’s Web site is probably in order before heading up the mountain.

That said, there are tons of new (and fast) snow waiting for those willing to earn their turns on Mount Shasta.

The town and the ski park – after suffering some power outages last week – are operating again, and ready to make your stay in Siskiyou County a wonderful experience.

Snow Falls On Mount Shasta, Skiers Rejoice, But Cautious

Siskiyou County’s skiers wait for the first snow of the season the same way children wait for Christmas.

Several inches of snow fell in Mount Shasta on Friday, and rumor has it a few hardy souls made their way up the mountain and carved a few turns.

First real snow of the year.

It’s far too early to declare ski season open (this snow could easily melt off, and early storms are often not followed by any more snowstorms for a month or more), but the backcountry skiers are happy, and it’s an encouraging sign.

Moonrise, Mount Shasta (Timelapse Video)

A nice timelapse video of the moon rising over Mount Shasta – Siskiyou County’s 14,179′ stratovolcano:

Winter Mountaineering, Skiing Yet to Begin on Mount Shasta. Here’s Something to Tide the Powder Hounds Over…

Though the first real snowstorm of the winter is yet to hit Mount Shasta, backcountry skiers are already getting antsy – waiting for the snow to fall, the mountain to turn white, and the epic days to begin.

For those who can’t wait for a fix, we present a YouTube video filmed in 2007. Nice footage, great soundtrack, and plenty of the precious white stuff:

Video: Mountain Biking Mount Shasta (The Weather Station)

Mountain biking in Siskiyou County continues to grow in popularity – especially the downhill runs of Mount Shasta.

This video does an excellent job of capturing the speed and excitement – but don’t think mountain biking up here is all high-speed descents.

Plenty of singletrack and dirt fire/logging roads offer challenging climbs, stunning views, and plenty of solitude for those riding cross country style mountain bikes. Whatever you ride, enjoy!

Spa Beauty Bash at Sacred Mountain March 27th

Our friends at Sacred Mountain Spa in Mt. Shasta are hosting a Spa Beauty Bash Friday, March 27th from 5:30 to 7pm. Scotty is promising free brow design, chair massage, spray tanning, and makeup application featuring Bare Escentuals, along with music, champagne and chocolate.Yummy.

Sacred Mountain is the place to go, whether you want to soak in a tub, let go of your troubles in the sauna or turn your body over to one of their skilled massage practitioners (everybody has their favorite). They’re also offering a “Stimulus Special” – a 30 minute sauna and a 30 minute chair massage for only $30. I highly recommend it if you’ve only got a little bit of time and you need a pick-me-up. If you’ve got more time, check out the slew of packages the Spa offers, designed to put your in a state of bliss that will last the rest of the day. Let yourself be pampered.

Sacred Mountain is located in downtown Mt. Shasta at 412 N. Mt. Shasta Blvd. Call them at 530.918.9229.