The Dogwoods Of Black Butte

Posted by bubbasuess on May 14, 2018
Posted in: Cascade Range, Hiking, Mount Shasta. Tagged: . Leave a comment

This image of Mount Shasta has little to do with dogwoods or Black Butte but I captured it as I was about to head home from documenting the flowering trees.

I can’t imagine that they have not been there every year, but I confess I have never noticed the dogwoods on Black Butte before. I have lived in my house for almost 10 years now and we have a great view of Black Butte and not once, in the entire time that we have lived here, has my wife or I observed them. However, this year, when they blossomed, it was almost unavoidable, since they stand out so prominently. At first, we thought they seemed too high up on the little mountain to be dogwoods, since that particular tree seems to thrive at lower elevations. This is no doubt a false assumption and repeated viewings removed all doubt from our minds that these were, in fact dogwood trees. Oddly enough, once we observed the plants on the western slopes of Black Butte, I noticed that they were quite common on the north side as well. That shaded side of the mountain seemed to have for more, in fact. Correspondingly, the south side, which gets significant sun exposure, does not seem to have a single dogwood tree on it.

The trees that we can see are obviously large and are not recent growth. Perhaps this has been a particularly showy year for the dogwoods and they have consequently revealed themselves. Other spectacular blooms have been spotted in other areas around Mount Shasta, so it may be that the dramatic blooming this year has finally exposed their presence on the slopes of Black Butte. No matter what the reason, it is subtle but attractive bit of color on Black Butte, a mountain which spring color seemed to have passed by.

Click to enlarge:

Lake Siskiyou Inlet Update

Posted by bubbasuess on May 10, 2018
Posted in: Cascade Range, Hiking, Mount Shasta. Leave a comment

The Sacramento River flows into a very full Lake Siskiyou.

As we progress into May, the temperatures and the rate of the thaw have both increased. The swiftly melting snow at the higher elevations of the Trinity Divide swell the Sacramento River and have resulted in Lake Siskiyou remaining exceedingly full for quite a while. Unlike the last several years, the area where the Sacramento flows into the lake has remained fairly stable, with no significant alterations to the landscape during periods of high water. Consequently, the Lake Siskiyou Trail is essentially the same as it was last year.

The bridges are normally installed at the left end of the image.

This then begs the question as to when the seasonal bridges over the river will be installed. This is difficult to predict, but the current rate of flow is too significant to contemplate the installation of the bridges. The bridges initially had gabions installed in the middle of the river, allowing the bridges to be placed earlier than they are now. The gabions were wiped out a few years ago when the river produced a major deluge and significantly altered the landscape. Currently, the river is wide at the most easily bridged point, so it must go down a bit before the bridges can be placed in the currently makeshift manner. The situation is exasperated by the high level of Lake Siskiyou. The impounded waters reach all the way to the point on the river where the bridges are placed, meaning that the lake may need to recede before the bridges are in position.

While it is nice have a full, beautiful river, it will be great when the loop around Lake Siskiyou is completed again. Of course, it would be nice to build a permanent bridge upstream, so the loop can be hiked all year and the more remote and beautiful stretch of the river can be enjoyed. More on that in the near future…

Click to enlarge:

 

Wild Clouds And…Wildfire On Black Butte?

Posted by bubbasuess on May 8, 2018
Posted in: Cascade Range, Hiking, Mount Shasta. 1 Comment

Storm clouds break up over Mount Shasta as the sun sets.

It certainly was an interesting weather day here in Mount Shasta. It began as a beautiful sunny morning but by mid-morning the sky was filled with a spectacular array of wavy clouds above the Trinity Divide. It was a really remarkable display, enough that it caused me to stop and capture a couple of images. Later in the day, the clouds closed in and a big thunder storm rolled through. The afternoon was filled the the boom of the thunder and a little bit of rain. Most of the clouds eventually cleared, but Mount Shasta’s summit remained shrouded by a large plume that seemed intent on covering the mountain for the rest of the evening.

The sound of thunder was replaced by the hum of a helicopter. When I finally took notice of its repeated flights over my house, I observed it was carrying a bucket for putting fires. With all the lightning that had come down, this was not a surprise. It kept flying to the northwest but I could see no plumes of smoke in that area. It turns out that the fire was actually on Black Butte and the helicopter was presumably refilling its bucket at the pond over at Hammond Ranch. I was able to pop over near the south face of Black Butte and catch a few images of the fire. It was small, but seemed to be expanding. The helicopter seemed to be done at that time, so we will see if the fire has grown when morning comes. It’s not a big fire, but seeing things burning that high on the peak was certainly noteworthy. While capturing images of the small fire, the breaking storm clouds to the south and north presented beautiful scenes, making the entire evening quite memorable.

Click to enlarge (especially for the fire images!):

Avalanches In Avalanche Gulch

Posted by bubbasuess on May 1, 2018
Posted in: Cascade Range, Hiking, Mount Shasta. Leave a comment

Bunny Flat view of Avalanche Gulch and the numerous avalanches along Casval Ridge.

Today I took my kids up to Bunny Flat on Mount Shasta to do some erosion investigations for school. Most of our experiments include investigating how different types of rocks (igneous, metamorphic etc) react differently to a rock tumbler. However, with the warmer weather and the snow melting rapidly, the conditions at Bunny Flat present some interesting opportunities to see how the running water impacts variety of surfaces. While we were up there, I could not help but find myself observing Mount Shasta and I noticed the traces of several large avalanches lining the west side of the large valley. Most of the slides came off of Casaval Ridge, with one large slide being released from the upper flanks of Misery Cone. None of this should be surprising, but it is still fascinating to recognize important aspects in the workings of Mount Shasta.

For what it is worth, the new interpretive display at Bunny Flat is quite nice. I was preoccupied dealing with the fallout from the fires in Sonoma County when the sign was completed and it has been obscured by snow for some time now. However, it is now, fully, completely visible as the snow has receded away from it. The USFS, the Sierra Club and Marrone Construction, all of whom had a hand in its installation, deserve commendation. It is “national park caliber” and certainly makes for an attractive and appropriate welcoming point to visitors of this spectacular spot. Well done.

For those interested in a closer look at the avalanches visible from Bunny Flat, the following images show the slides in greater detail. Also note the ski trails. Click to enlarge:

Mount Shasta Landmark Locator Compilation

Posted by bubbasuess on April 28, 2018
Posted in: Cascade Range, Hiking, Mount Shasta. Leave a comment

A classic west-side view of Mount Shasta from Lake Siskiyou.

With its immense size and great height, Mount Shasta is almost a mountain range unto itself. Consequently, it has a mountain range worth of landmarks to observe and recognize. While some of the landmarks, such as Shastina and Shastarama Point are prominently visible and easy to distinguish, others are more subtle and don’t initially stand out without some sort of visual aid.

The purpose of the landmark locators is straight forward: to make it possible to learn and recognize the geography, prominent features and landscape of Mount Shasta. With these guides, it should be easy to distinguish what is where on the mountain. The lcators are broken up into for cardinal perspectives on Mount Shasta, with a couple of additional locators included to provide more detail when necessary. It is my hope that these tools will be useful for both visitors and longtime residents of the Mount Shasta area alike. It is a magnificent mountain and it is good to have an understanding of its landscape.

West Side

The western side of Mount Shasta is probably the most recognizable due to its position near Mount Shasta City. The presence of Shastina, and to a lesser extent, Shastarama Point, give the mountain a less conical shape and it appears to have over-sized shoulders. Nonetheless, this distinctive perspective is a spectacular sight above town, inspiring awe in all who visit.

North Side

When seen from the Shasta Valley, the north side of Mount Shasta is one of the most visually distinct and pleasing perspectives. The balance between the main summit and Shastina is excellent and this side is graced by the presence of the Whitney and Bolam Glaciers, the 2nd and 4th largest glaciers in California.

South Side

The south side of Mount Shasta stands shoulder to shoulder with the north side as the most pleasing perspective on the mountain. Shastina is less prominent from this angle and the main bulk of the mountain is more conical. Though the small Konwakiton Glacier is visible,it lacks the grand glaciers of the north side. However, the presence of the Mud Creek basin, with all of its grand spires and the deep Mud Creek Canyon provide a spectacular visual focal point.

 

East Side

The enigmatic east side of Mount Shasta is by far the least viewed. With no settlements or major roads to the east, very few people venture into the area to appreciate this unique perspective on the mountain. Notably, this is the only side of Mount Shasta where Shastina is not visible. Consequently, the mountain takes on a more “normal” appearance for a Cascade volcano, with a single, massive conical form. The east side is also notable for the presence of the Hotlum and Wintun Glaciers, the 1st and 3rd largest in California. The diminutive Watkins Glacier is also recognizable from the east. For the few who venture into the remote eastern regions, this spectacular and unusual perspective of Mount Shasta is a magnificent reward.

 

A Morning And Evening Around Mount Shasta

Posted by bubbasuess on April 26, 2018
Posted in: Cascade Range, Hiking, Lenticular Clouds, Mount Shasta. 1 Comment

 A variety of cloud formations cluster around Mount Shasta sunset.

I got up much later than I normally do Thursday morning, only to find that there was a fine set of lenticular clouds in the sky on the north side of Mount Shasta. Of all the mornings to sleep later than normal, I had to miss the lenticular at sunrise. Not to be defeated, I headed to the southern side of the mountain, in the hopes of getting the clouds in the frame alongside Mount Shasta. The view from the south was as impressive as I anticipated it would be. I managed to capture a couple of interesting shots of the mountain with the cloud formations and then I headed back into town. Once there, I got one more shot to show a different perspective on the most distinct disk in the group. These clouds seemed rather stable so I planned to head out in the evening and try to get pictures of them at sunset.

As I suspected, the lenticular cluster lasted through the day, but right as the sun began to set, the distinct shapes began to dissipate. One of the lenticulars seemed to have caught a wind current and stretched out across the sky as a rather dramatic spread. I had taken my three kids with me after dinner and they scrambled on the rocks at Castle Lake before I got into position for the sunset. As happens frequently, they played contentedly while I played with the camera. Of course, they practically ignore the magnificent sunset taking place right behind them, instead being quite focused on the rock obstacle course they set up for their cars. These kids really have no idea how fortunate they are. In the end, it was another stunning sunset. It may have lacked the great lenticulars that were present in the morning but the unusual clouds and great light made for a memorable evening nonetheless.

Click to enlarge:

Nevermind the sunset, there’s rocks to play with!

 

2018 Spring Hiking Round Up

Posted by bubbasuess on April 22, 2018
Posted in: Cascade Range, Hiking, Mount Shasta, Off Season Trails, Spring Trails. Leave a comment

A spectacular spring sunrise on Mount Shasta.

After the long winter, spring is finally upon us. Warmer weather is taking hold, the snow is melting, trees are coming back to life and flowers are beginning to emerge. This is the time to head out and enjoy the great bounty that the Mount Shasta area holds for hikers looking to stretch their legs, enjoy the natural world and feel the warm sunshine once again. Though the winter threatened to be a bad one in terms of snow, March came through and delivered a fair amount of precipitation, including a few feet of snow at the lower elevations. This means that the high country trails are still inaccessible, for the most part, though they should largely open up earlier than usual (or at least much earlier than last year!). In the mean time, we have a host of great trails in the low lands that are prime hiking areas. The best spots to explore this time of year are along the McCloud River and in the Castle Crags. Despite the lower elevation, they still offer great mountain experiences. The high desert of the Shasta Valley is another great place to explore right now. Of course, all the other areas usually considered good winter destinations are also fantastic places to hike right now. Summer may be coming but the time to get out and hit the trail is now!

Spring Hikes In The Castle Crags

The Castle Crags are one of the most majestic mountain features in California. However, their lower elevation means they are often accessible when higher terrain is still smothered in snow. Still, the granite spires and great rock walls stand shoulder to shoulder with some of the most rugged terrain in the state. Though best hiked in spring, when the creeks are gushing and the weather, especially on the south side where most trails are found, is perfect, the winter may still be a good time to get out and enjoy this gorgeous mountain playground. Read more here.

Spring Hikes On The Upper McCloud River

The McCloud River is one of the great attractions of the Mount Shasta area. With great fishing, a trio a awesome waterfalls, and beautiful forest surroundings, it is a popular destination. The waterfall along the river is a great hike and ought to be considered during winter if the access road is open. However, the McCloud River Trail follows the river for 15 miles and any section of this makes a great hike as long as snow is not covering the ground. Read more here.

Spring Hikes On The Lower McCloud

The Lower McCloud River sees far less activity than the upper section. Separted by Hearst property and the McCloud Reservoir, the two areas are strikingly different. The upper section flows through volcanic terrain while the lower part passes through an outlier of the Klamath Mountain. The terrain is very rugged and can be difficult access during winter. However, when it can be reached, solitude a beautiful scenery await! Read more here.

Spring Hiking At Orr Lake

The area around Orr Lake is a mix of high desert and ponderosa pine forest, surrounding a large, lush meadow fed by remote Butte Creek. It’s higher in elevation than the high desert of the Shasta Valley, which means it is often not a good place to go in winter. However, in spring, it is ideal. The lake is full, the creek is running strong and Mount Shasta, visible beyond the lake, is white. Other than portions of the trail being closed at times for nesting birds, it is a great place to get outside in the months before summer. Read more here.

Spring Hikes In The Shasta Valley

North of Mount Shasta, the desert landscapes of the Shasta Valley offer a strikingly different environment than what is found along most trails in the region. The only conifers here are junipers and sagebrush is ubiquitous. For those that like the desert, the beauty of this area needs no explanation. For those less familiar, there is ample wildlife, beautiful rock formations and magnificent 360 degree views, crowned by some of the best views of Mount Shasta to be found anywhere. Read more here.

Spring Hikes In The Shasta Valley Wildlife Refuge

At the northern end of the Shasta Valley lies a large parkland administered by the State of California. The Shasta Valley Wildlife Refuge was once a working ranch but is now a haven for a variety of wildlife, especially birds. It is also a refuge for hikers looking for incredible vistas. Though it can be closed at times during winter, there are still opportunities to explore it and once it is reopened completely, it is a place of great beauty, beckoning to be explored! Read more here.

Three Spring Trails Near Mount Shasta City 

Mount Shasta City is blessed with a number of great paths within and just outside of its city limits. Three of the best are the Box Canyon, Ney Springs and Spring Hill Trail. These offer solitude, Mount Shasta Vistas, unique history, spectacular geography and even some excellent waterfalls. These all lie just minutes outside of town. Also, don’t forget that Mount Shasta City has some great short trails right in town! Read more here.

Spring Hikes On The Lake Siskiyou Trail

The Lake Siskiyou Trail is an incredible recreational resource just a couple minutes outside of Mount Shasta City. During the summer and fall, a loop trail encircles the lake. However, in winter the seasonal bridges over the Sacramento River are removed. While the loop can’t be hiked without fording the river (extremely dangerous after storms and during high runoff), several sections of the trail still make great out and back hikes. They feature beautiful forests, the lake itself and incredible views. Due to the relatively light winter, the bridges should be places over the Sacramento sooner rather than later this year. Read more here.

Spring Hikes On The Sacramento River

Most people in California think of the Sacramento River as the wide, winding waterway that lazily flows through the Central Valley. Here just below the headwaters, however, it is a swiftly flowing mountain river. Deep in its canyon, the lower elevation means it is often free of snow and the trails are easily accessed. Hiking along the river in winter is a treat that offers a taste of wild mountains for minimal effort. Read more here.