Hike Mt. Shasta

The first part of December has been one of the most beautiful runs of conditions around Mount Shasta in recent memory. It started off with a November-ending lenticular that was among the best we have had in a while. That inaugurated a week of incredible spectacle around the mountain that included more lenticulars and other beautiful conditions, especially around sunrise and sunset. This was documented in the first post reviewing the beginning of December, 2025. I had to split that up though, because the end of that run of weather was so stupendous, in demanded its own post. Suffice to say, I think this was the best single lenticular display above Mount Shasta in a long time.

Like some of the other lenticulars that formed over the week, this one came out of clear sky. It seemed to crawl out from some alternate dimension around noon, starting off as a single disk then growing into a fine stack. By late afternoon, it was hovering beautifully above Mount Shasta. At the same time, a small secondary cap was careening over the summit, indicative of the great turbulence in the sky around the mountain.

I headed up to the vista near Castle Lake. I had considered the view from the north, but a bank of clouds was partially obscuring the view, making this a less than desirable option. This turned out to be a good option. It yielded a grand view of the mountain, the summit cloud and the large stack to the south, all lit up in spectacular fashion, first by the afternoon light and then by the alpenglow. This was what I have been waiting for…

The massive amount of disruption in the airflow that produces these clouds is mind boggling. The currents and temperature differentials that allow the water vapor to coalesce, flow and then dissipate are incredible. To see it on a scale that is measured in miles rather than feet is even more astounding. The way the light dances on these monumental formations is just a crowning gift. The whole terrific pageant is unforgettable.

Even after the sun had set, the show was not over. The clouds kept churning as the night set in. There was just enough afterglow to get an amazing shot with a little longer exposure. It ended up being an epic punctuation mark on a stellar lenticular event. Thank the Lord for this one!

This particular lenticular was so awesome, I am including two time lapse videos. One is from the south on Girard Ridge, the other from the Shasta Valley. Note how the cloud comes out of nowhere.

Girard Ridge perspective: I could have cut this one shorter, but I liked the sunrise and the effect of the fog dancing in the Sacramento River’s canyon. The way the lenticular just pops up out of the clear sky is incredible.

Shasta Valley perspective: This one starts off great but as the clouds gather in the north it is harder to see the lenticular. Still, it is a fascinating video for a phenomenal cloud formation.

By the next morning, the lenticulars were gone. A beautifully colorful sunrise ushered in a few days of warmer weather and clearer skies. After that, a week plus of rain…and maybe some snow. In the meantime, could something interesting happen around Mount Shasta if the sky is clear?