Mount Shasta looms majestically over Orr Lake.
Holy kinarsey, where did the time go? The past two months have been exceedingly busy between business, kids and other challenges. I had originally intended to post these shots of Mount Shasta in the latter part of April and early May. At the time the area was experiencing a fair amount of precipitation, giving the snowpack a most welcome but barest of cushions against the summer heat. Enough snow fell at the lower elevations that it felt like the mountain had been reset. Though gladly accepted, it really wasn’t enough to offset the dry January, February and March. We are thankful nonetheless!
The precipitation did make for some beautiful scenes around the mountain. Before moving into summer, I wanted to clear my docket and put up the last few pictures of the white mountain during spring.
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- During the storms, there were a few small lenticulars. One had some great cloud cloud iridescence at sunrise.
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- A lenticular gives indication that the weather patterns are changing and precipitation is incoming.
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- Another look at the constantly changing lenticular and the deeper snowpack the spring weather had left on Mount Shasta.
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- At sunset, the clouds were closing in on Mount Shasta but some cool streaks of light sliced across the mountain’s flanks.
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- On the last weekend in April/first weekend in May, I took the Boy Scouts camping at Orr Lake. Sunset there was gorgeous!
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- Though it initially looked like the mountain would be covered by clouds, it managed to clear just as the sun was setting, yielding a spectacular evening vista.
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- Morning, on the other hand, was very frustrating, as the clouds would not budge from the mountain. The lower flanks were visible and reflected in the water but the entirety mountain was obscured.
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- By late morning the clouds had cleared, revealing Mount Shasta’s glorious icy tower jutting high over all the other peaks in the area. Orr Lake was still calm enough for a reflection, though a warm breeze was picking up. The birds were abundant and loud!
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- In the midst of the last round of precipitation, Mount Shasta cleared long enough to capture a spectacular sunset. Though not quite a lenticular, the clouds were pretty cool.
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- Mount Shasta after the storms had cleared. Though the snow wasn’t deep, it look almost midwinter on the mountain.
Now, as we approach Memorial Day, the summer weather can begin in earnest. No doubt Mount Shasta will be bare by July but that is a lot better than last year! Now if we can just keep the fires at bay…
Hike Mt. Shasta 
Beautiful pictures and lovely post! We are praying for rain for all of the western US.
Hope to come out soon to climb and to enjoy just being there. It has been 2 years and I miss the intoxication of the area.