Hike Mt. Shasta

As we near the end of July, we are moving into the heart of summer. It feels a long way away from the Long Winter but the impact of that epic season is still with us. Mount Shasta still has a substantial amount of snow on its western aspect, despite the high temperatures that have prevailed over the last few weeks. The wildflowers are profuse and the grass is higher than I have ever seen it in the valley. The forecast for the next week tops out in the mid 80’s so warm is the word, not hot, which is perfect for getting out and enjoying the high country.

I was out of action for a few weeks (taking boy scouts to summer camp etc.) but have now returned and been able to spend a few evenings out enjoying the sunset. The one negative about summer is that, absent a good thunderstorm, the sky around Mount Shasta can be a bit bare. However, every now and then a great sunset comes out of nowhere. Getting out and enjoying these is a real treat and a few days ago, my wife and I left the kids at home and went out into the Shasta Valley to watch the spectacle. It was magnificent.

Though the sky was full of clouds, none seemed to be catching any light while the mountain still clung to the last shades of alpenglow. However, once the light had faded on the mountain, the sky light up.

It was an awesome Shasta Valley sunset. I love the mountains’ high country but more and more I find myself longing to be out in the desert, gazing up at Mount Shasta’s glaciers. The contrast of permanent ice beyond the arid land is sublimely satisfying. The ring of peaks that stretch out from Mount Shasta renders a stunning horizon and the broken braids of the valley hills (post on this subject coming soon!) offer mystery and detail all at once.

A second sunset a couple days later seemed like it might have another array of clouds to catch the sunset’s light. I headed out to see what there might be to see.

I eventually found my way to one of my shamefully-easy-to-reach vistas which is right on the side of the road. It is ridiculously easy to reach and quite conspicuous but it is honestly the best spot from which to capture images of the mountain with the perspective from town. Of course, some of my friends drove by, spotted me, and gave me a justly deserved ribbing for being a blatant tourist. I deserve that but I hope I always look at the mountain with the wonder of someone who may be seeing for the first time and perhaps only time.

It is gratifying to see so much snow on the mountain this time of year. Here at the end of July Mount Shasta has nearly as much snow on it as it has had in June or even May in some recent years. The Long Winter persists at the higher elevations. Long may it last!

Of course, just as the light was getting good, the clouds decamped for parts unknown and I was left with just a few wisps around the summit. Though fleetingly frustrating, who can argue with still witnessing an andesite sunset? Certainly not I.