Hike Mt. Shasta

In the past summer months in Mount Shasta are months for getting up into the high country and enjoying the alpine landscapes and sublime natural settings. Generally, they were not great months for enjoying the views of the mountain in spectacular weather conditions (which is often the key to capturing great images). July 2025 was certainly an outlier for that trend. The continuous stream of thunderstorms made the month memorable and numerous images were captured, highlighting awesome clouds and beautiful light augmented by the dramatic presence of lightning and rainbows. This trend continued right up to the very last sunset of the month, which was once again a spectacular one.

As with the last thunderstorm a few days earlier, there were more rainbows to be had. Mount Shasta was partially covered by cloud and not well lit but the rainbow was excellent and the light and cloud around it made for a rather sublime scene. The position of the clouds made the Shasta Valley seem like the best option for a good sunset.

By the time I got out to the valley, the clouds had opened up and fresh snow from the previous day was visible on Mount Shasta’s highest elevations. Even more interesting, however, was the enormous shadow being cast by something somewhere in the west. The clouds pulsated with color as they churned but no light touched the vast shadow.

Soon the shadow seemed to expand and the clouds turned very, very dark. At the same time Mount Shasta and the hills of the Shasta Valley glowed orange from the setting sun. The sunset color seemed to drench everything and a most surreal feeling permeated the landscape.

Though the glow on the ground continued, the clouds finally lit back up as the sun sank lower beneath the horizon. The brooding clouds looked ready to burst open with a deluge for the desert valley. Meanwhile, lightning continue to flash off to the south behind the mountain. Thunder could be heard faintly in the distance. It was an unusual sight and the perfect stormy ending to a magnificent month of storms.

August looks to be warming up. We’ll see if the higher temps last and it is finally time to abandon the desert and head up into the high country.