Northern California Review: Orland Buttes

Posted by bubbasuess on May 13, 2021
Posted in: Hiking, Mount Shasta. Tagged: , . 2 Comments

The Orland Buttes offer a rugged break from the exceedingly flat Sacramento Valley.

When driving along Interstate 5 through California’s Sacramento Valley, the landscape the freeway is unrelentingly flat. Only in the distance is the valley interrupted and mountains can be seen hemming in the flat land. Indeed, for 430 miles, the Great Central Valley of California (of which the Sacramento Valley is the norther third) there is, seemingly, only the solitary interruption of the Sutter Buttes, an old volcanic core often referred to as “the world’s smallest mountain range”. That will be the subject of another Northern California Review someday. However, the Sutter Buttes are not the only bit of topography in California’s great agricultural heartland.

50 miles south of Redding, along the western edge of the valley is a little known formation named the Orland Buttes. The agricultural town of Orland, located along I-5 lies 7 miles to the east. The buttes are not tall, but they do offer an extensive, rocky series of outcroppings that break up the monotony of the valley. While speeding along on the freeway, they tend to blend in with the mountains of the coast range that rise to the west. Although they are often lost amidst the landscape, they remain an attractive and unusual feature that are worth exploring. Even better, much of the Orland Buttes lie on public land and are traversed via several interesting but little known trails, making them a good springtime hiking destination.

As noted, the Orland Buttes are located on the western side of the Sacramento Valley, roughly 50 miles south of Redding and 7 miles east of Orland. They suit on the edge of a transitional region, where the farms of the valley give way to the oak savannah that covers the Coast Range foothills. Further west, the valley floor begins to buckle and small ridges form along a north/south axis. However, the Buttes are distinct from this area, both in terms of geology and the physical space that separates them.

The area between the Buttes and the Coast Range foothills is now occupied by Black Butte Lake, an impounded reservoir on Stoney Creek. This creek begins high up on Snow Mountain, the Coast Range’s southernmost 7,000 foot peak. It flows roughly northeast, through rugged canyons and through the buckled ridges of the valley before reaching the Orland Buttes. A dam in Eagle Pass backs the water up and forms the lake. From there, the creek continues a short distance to the east before joining the mighty Sacramento River. It’s total journey is nearly 90 miles and drains an area of over 700 square miles. While the sight of Stony Creek passing between the ramparts of the Orland Buttes would have been a beautiful sight, especially in its spring fury, the truth is, Black Butte Lake is a beautiful addition to the Orland Buttes and does add a fair amount of interest to the area. The land around the lake, and therefore the Buttes themselves, is administered by the Bureau of Reclamation. This means that the land is open to the public and exploring the Buttes is welcome.


The Orland Buttes are broken up into three main formations. Anchoring the southern end is the Orland Butte, the largest and tallest of the three rock outcroppings. Rising 700 feet around the surrounding farmland, it is the most noticeable of the buttes from the freeway. Visible from far to the south as one drives north, it is a distinct landmark, if you are aware of its presence.

The central part of the Buttes is the longest, unbroken portion section of rock. This long ridge, called Eagle Ridge, is a nearly three mile long wall of basalt that, at its highest point, rises nearly 600 feet around the farms on its east side. The lake that occupies the area to the west, is 100 feet higher than the farmland, so the relief on the west side is a little less. Notably, Eagle Ridge is bookended by recreation areas at its northern and southern termini. Though the recreation areas are connected by one of the Orland Butte’s trails, these are primarily focuses on the lake and the aquatic activities that usually draws people to this destination. Some of the ridge is on private land but the western half is still with the land administered by the Bureau of Reclamation and can be explored legally.

The northernmost of the three Orland Buttes is named Black Butte and it is both the smallest and most geologically interesting of the three buttes. While the other buttes have plenty of exposed rock, none have it such extensive and easily explored proportions as Black Butte. It is also the only one of the three Orland Buttes that is entirely on public land. Forming a crescent reaching to the northeast, it has extensive basalt outcroppings that form an impressive series of walls, giving it an elevated feeling high above the water. A lower section, arcing to the northeast does not have the impressive basalt walls but it has numerous outcroppings, making this an intriguing area to hike through.


The geologic map of California begins to tell the tale of the Orland Buttes’ fascinating geology. Though there are a few isolated volcanic areas on the west side of the Sacramento Valley, the Orland Buttes are the only exposed basalt in the region. The other volcanic presence, which is very little, is of a completely different rock composition. This is indicated on the map by the color of the rock (it is identifiable next to Black Butte Lake), which indicates its volcanic origin but its distinction from the nearby volcanic extrusions.


The formation of the Orland Buttes is quite unusual. It lies along a fault, and was likely, in some fashion, created by it. However, the type of basalt that composes the Buttes is part of a larger story, one that is both mysterious and fascinating and plays a larger part in the formation’s beauty. The Orland Buttes are composed of Lovejoy Basalt. This dense rock is particular to Northern California and is believed to have been produced by a volcanic vent near Susanville but flowed westward, covering a significant swath of the North State. It was subsequently eroded until only isolated islands of Lovejoy Basalt can be found. The Orland Buttes are the second furthest west and second most isolated occurrence of this rare rock type.


Lovejoy Basalt has a distinct appearance. It looks as though it is an agglomeration of chunks or blocks of rock. Blobs or blocks of rock seem to all be stuck together haphazardly. However, the chaotic appearance belies a solid strength, with the chunks welded together making the rock far more solid than it appears. It also make the appearance of the Orland Buttes very distinct, since this rock type can only be appreciated in a small handful of other places around Northern California. Indeed, the Orland Buttes are one of the easiest places at which to examine and enjoy the unique beauty of Lovejoy Basalt.


Examining and enjoying the beauty of the Orland Buttes is surprisingly easy to do. It is easy to get to off of I-5 and is served by a well-developed trail network. Three trails are spread throughout the area administered by the Bureau of Reclamation:

  • In the south is a trail the follows the narrow strip of land between Black Butte Lake and Eagle Ridge. It is about 2.5 miles long and offers opportunities to explore some of the crags along the ridge and some of the peninsulas that extend out into the lake.
  • At the northern end of the lake is a jumble of trails following the finger-like shoreline of the northernmost part of Black Butte Lake. This trail is furthest from the Buttes themselves but the formations are prominently visible, as is the looming presence of the Coast Range. Access to this trail is from the Buckhorn Campground or the Black Butte Trailhead.
  • The best trail at the Orland Buttes is the one that ascends Black Butte. The hike features a 5 mile lollipop that begins at the Orland Buttes Vista next to the dam that forms the lake. It crosses the dam and ascends the northeast corner of Black Butte and then proceeds to follow the formation’s spine, weaving through Lovejoy Basalt outcroppings. It then crosses a narrow neck, where it intersects a trail coming up from the Black Butte Trailhead. From this point it climbs to the highest part of the Butte, composed of solid outcroppings of Lovejoy Basalt, where a railing marks the end of the trail and a spectacular view of much of Northern California, stretching from Mount Shasta to almost down to peaks that border the northern end of San Francisco Bay (well, where the Bay meats the Delta, at least). The Coast Range foothills, occasionally dotted by clusters of oaks and nearly wild and undeveloped in this area, add a richness to the view from the summit.  You can return the way you came or take a northern part of the loop and follow along the foot of Black Butte back to the dam.


The Orland Buttes are not California’s grandest monument or its most well-known hiking destination. Yet, if a region has a destination like the Buttes as an obscure destination, it is richly blessed with natural beauty! When the mountains are covered in snow and inaccessible, the Orland Buttes are a perfect destination for a day of hiking. This is particularly true in spring, when the grass is lush and green, the lake is full and wildflowers abound. Then, hiking out onto the summit of Black Butte and observing the snow-covered mountains to the north, west and east, one feels like you have really seen and appreciated the Sacramento Valley anew, with a unique and unusual perspective on one of California’s most impressive natural features.

Orland Buttes Gallery (click to enlarge):

Fascinating Evidence Of A Deluge On A Creek

Posted by bubbasuess on May 7, 2021
Posted in: Cascade Range, Hiking, Mount Shasta, Trinity Divide, Waterfalls. 4 Comments

May is a month that I typically spend hunting for waterfalls. With the snow melting and the mountains opening up, yet the temperatures comfortable, it is the perfect season to track cataracts. It is surprising just how many creeks in the Trinity Divide are largely unexplored and unappreciated, especially when there is some pretty spectacular scenery waiting to be discovered. In many cases, though people have no doubt been there in the past, I often feel as if it has been a long while since anyone has set foot in these canyons and along these creeks. Such was the case recently, when a friend and I explored one of the Trinity Divide’s obscure waterways.

The creek in question was quite beautiful, flowing through primeval forest and choked with rocks of every imaginable size. Indeed, it was this rock that really caught our attention. At first something just seemed amiss but it soon came into focus that all the rocks were loose. They had not found a locked repose as riparian boulders typically do. Nonetheless, the creek was vigorous, wild and refreshing.

Eventually it became obvious to us that the creek had endured a massive deluge at some point in the not-too-distant past. Not only were the rocks loose along the creek but we began to notice the same rocks higher up the banks and in places where it would seem the water wouldn’t typically flow. This soon became so pronounced that we could see rocks on logs well above the creek’s channel:

Rock deposited on a log high above the creekbed.

Moreover, this was not limited to small pebbles or larger, fist-sized rock. Indeed, larger boulders had also been left stranded high above the creek:

Boulders left beyond the creek’s typical high water line.

We surmised that the creek had experienced an incredible flashflood at some point not too long ago. However, what mystified us was that the rocks often appeared to have been left on top of the leaves and duff of the forest floor. We assumed that this normal forest detritus would have been scoured away by the torrential waters. This was seemingly not always the case and rocks were left on top of the “leaf layer”:

Rocks seen lined up on a log that was already buried beneath the leaves.

It remains a mystery exactly what happened along this creek and when it occurred. What is certain is that the creek is a beautiful waterway that does great credit to the Trinity Divide and the Mount Shasta area. And yes, there were waterfalls:

High Desert Oasis: A Mount Shasta Sunrise And Sunset At Orr Lake

Posted by bubbasuess on April 22, 2021
Posted in: Boy Scouts, Cascade Range, Hiking, Mount Shasta. Leave a comment

Last weekend I had the opportunity to take the Boy Scout troop out for a weekend of camping at Orr Lake. The lake is on the northeast side of Mount Shasta and, for my money, one of the nicest places to camp in the area. Though the environs are a mix of high desert and ponderosa forest, the area around the lake is surprisingly lush. In addition to large meadows and and the meandering flow of Butte Creek, Orr Lake itself is an oasis amidst the sage and juniper that surround it. Large ponderosa also grow amidst the volcanic rocks that crop up on the slopes of Orr Mountain and the ridge that rises above the west side of the lake. Above all of this rises the awesome, icy tower of Mount Shasta’s Hotlum Cone, the massive eruption cone that composes the mountain’s entire east side (and summit). It is a beautiful place with an awesome view and perfect for taking a bunch of boys on a spring camp out.

Of course, I had to take the opportunity to capture sunrises and sunsets, given that I am not out there too often during that time of day. The results were quite pleasing.


From our campsite, we could look out across the lake at Haight Mountain (left) and West Haight Mountain (right). They were good gauges for where the sun was and when it was time to head over to the east side of the lake where the view of Mount Shasta was a little better.


With Mount Shasta in view, and augmented with a nice band of cloud, the sunset was sublime. Just enough color was visible on Shastina and the Bolam Glacier that the shadow on the east side did not diminish the incredible beauty of the sunset. I always associate Orr Lake with sunrises but this sunset made me rethink that as the best time to view the mountain from this position!


In the morning I headed back to the east side and caught the mountain in all of its sunrise glory. The birds (which are ubiquitous at Orr Lake) were already up and active and were cacophonous. There was just enough wind to keep the reflection getting too clear but the bright color of the sunrise still looked great against the water.


A wispy layer of fog swept over the water, dramatically waving across the lake’s surface. It added a ghostly quality to the reflection that really embellished the spectacle.

The weekend was filled with a ton of fishing, as well as groups hiking to the summit of Orr Mountain as well as out to Butte Creek in the vast meadow south of the lake. Bird watching, especially of a pair of bald eagles occupying a nest near the lake, was also a welcome activity throughout the weekend. Plenty of other camp hijinks were afoot and a great time was had by all.

The red line is existing trail. Yellow lines are proposed routes.

Time spent camping at Orr Lake over the weekend set me to thinking about the recreational opportunities at the site. It is a place that is generally off the radar, as are most places in the Klamath National Forest’s Goosenest Ranger District. There is one trail, which leads from the group camp out toward Butte Creek. While cross country travel and road hiking are pretty easy, given the excellence of the location and quality of the campgrounds, I think the area could benefit from a few more trails. In particular, a route up the ridge on the west side of the lake, forming a loop with the Butte Creek trail would be fantastic. A well-graded trail up to the summit of Orr Mountain would also be a great addition to the area. Between those hikes, exploring the meadow and fishing or kayaking the lake, I think Orr Lake would be a first rate destination. As it is, it is already fantastic.

A Mount Shasta Pelican?

Posted by bubbasuess on March 28, 2021
Posted in: Cascade Range, Desert, Hiking, Mount Shasta. 4 Comments

Saturday was the nicest day of 2021 thus far. No doubt days will be getting better as we plunge into spring. The nice weather meant it was a moral imperative to get outside. The morning was spent tracking unnamed waterfalls in the Castle Crags but evening meandered into an unanticipated trip out to Trout Lake in the Shasta Valley. Though there were no clouds of any kind in the sky over Mount Shasta, I thought the high desert terrain and the (hopefully) still water of the lake might make for an interesting sunset.

When I arrived at the wildlife refuge I first went to check on Bass Lake, which was rather low. No doubt if the winter had received more precipitation it would have been full. I proceeded to Trout Lake, which was full. Though there are views of Mount Shasta from everywhere in the Shasta Valley, the vista from the Trout Lake parking lot is among the best and certainly ranks as one of the best drive-to vistas of Mount Shasta. As it turned out, there was no one there, which meant, since no one was at Bass Lake or any of the other parking areas along the route to Trout Lake, I was the only visitor in the refuge.

I set up my camera and enjoyed the changing light on Mount Shasta. As to be expected, there were a lot of birds around the lake, including geese, ducks, seagulls and the oddly-footed coots. However, one avian denizen stood out as it swam back and forth across the lake. A large white pelican and decided to take up residence in Trout Lake. Although I have seen pelicans many times at Orr Lake, I have never seen one in the Shasta Valley. I invariably associate pelicans with the sea, so seeing one happily swimming through a reflection of Mount Shasta, I find it unexpected and somewhat out of sorts.

The pelican seemed quite content swimming back and forth, from the east to the west and back again. Coots would periodically come and visit the large bird but other than these small encounters, the pelican was on its own. At first I was frustrated because its swimming marred the already imperfect reflections I was getting. However, after a few minutes I decided my perceived incongruence of seabird and Cascade volcanos made more interesting pictures anyway so I relented and allowed myself to enjoy it.

I must confess that I am not much of a wildlife guy. Unless it is a bison (for which I have an abiding appreciation), wildlife does not generate a lot of excitement for me. The geology is always my first interest and the flora is my second so birds are typically pretty far down on my interest totem pole. Yet, for some reason seeing the pelican turned out to make an ordinary, cloudless Mount Shasta sunset (still a magnificent thing!) much more appealing. Perhaps my interests are broadening!

As it turned out, the rest of the sunset was also beautiful, if devoid of the long-beaked seabird. The moon was full and some thing clouds to the east and west captured more of the sunset’s light, all of which was reflected on the still waters of Trout Lake. The entire Shasta Valley has turned green with the onset of spring, though it is still a little too early for the lupine to have sprouted. That is not too far off now. Things are looking up.

 

 

2021 Mount Shasta Spring Hiking Round Up

Posted by bubbasuess on March 27, 2021
Posted in: Cascade Range, Desert, Hiking, Mount Shasta, Off Season Trails, Spring Trails, Winter Trails. 1 Comment

A springtime sunset on Mount Shasta.

We are a week past the 2021 vernal equinox and moving right into spring. Though we will no doubt have some more precipitation (I sure hope!) for now we are blessed with a week’s worth of spectacular spring weather! It is prime time to head out and explore the low and mid-elevation trails around Mount Shasta. For me, that means it it peak time to dive into the Castle Crags and do some waterfall hunting. There are a lot of hidden jewels in that massive pile of rock.

Though the weather is perfect for hiking, the winter’s snow means we will have to wait a while longer before the high country trails are clear of snow. Thankfully the Mount Shasta area is blessed with an abundance of trails at lower elevations, which means that hiking and enjoying the fantastic scenery that surrounds us is in full swing. 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 Gateway Trail is also a good option for spring hiking, with good views of the mountain and a sense of solitude in the near-town but remote backcountry of the trail. 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 Hiking On The Gateway Trail

Located just outside of Mount Shasta City, the Gateway Trail is an impressive and soon-to-be-expanding network of trails that wind their way through the wooded flanks of Mount Shasta. The first couple miles of the trail, however, are largely in the open, passing through rocky terrain that features great perspectives on the white mountain looming over 10,000 feet overhead. Once the trail plunges into the deep forest, numerous loop options exist, along with a few rocky outcroppings and some good vistas of Trinity Divide. Read more here.

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.

The Winter Snowpack Thus Far In Mount Shasta

Posted by bubbasuess on March 17, 2021
Posted in: Boy Scouts, Cascade Range, Hiking, Mount Shasta. 6 Comments

Unusually snowy hills of the Shasta Valley lie beneath alpenglow-bathed Mount Shasta.

As we near the end of winter (at this point, I can’t wait!), it is worth considering the snowpack that has developed and how things look going into the warmer months. This can be done both anecdotally and with data and both are useful at this point. The water that falls here in the mountains at the far northern end of the state has considerable bearing on the water fortunes of the rest of California as well as helping prepare for the kind of fire season that may manifest. Both are critically important both locally and statewide.

I want to first address the data that is available at this time. According to the National Resource Conservation Service, which is part of the US Department of Agriculture, as of the beginning of March, the Mount Shasta area was at 88% of normal snowpack. This figure was averaged from the snowpack percentages of both the Upper Sacramento River and Klamath River watersheds.

Western watersheds and snowpack conditions. Mount Shasta marked with red dot.

That data is available on this map, which has a ton of resources and is worth exploring. Of those two watersheds, the Upper Sacramento is more pertinent to Mount Shasta, since the SNOTEL stations and California Cooperative Snow Survey sites that are in the Mount Shasta vicinity are located in this watershed. According to the map, the Upper Sacramento watershed was at 94% at the beginning of March. This area includes the western Trinity Divide, the southern half of Mount Shasta, the Sacramento River down to the Shasta Dam, the McCloud River watershed and the entire Pit River watershed, which notably contains the high country of the Warner Mountains.

The Upper Sacramento River, as per NRCS data, is marked in blue. Mount Shasta marked red.

This is encouraging data. The large storm we had in January went a long way towards establishing a quality snowpack. The area to the north and west, in the Klamath River watershed, is slightly less well off, with 82% of normal as of the beginning of March. This area contains the preponderance of the Klamath Mountains and the east side of the Cascades deep into Oregon, reaching just north of Crater Lake. Obviously this area is pretty diverse and the data for the whole region can be skewed by one area having more or less snow.

Here’s another way to look at the data (be sure to check this page out, which shows annual Snow Water Equivalent all the way back to 1981). Thus far, by mid-March, we are approaching the 30 year (1981-2010) median for water content of the snow that has fallen. We are still off about 2 inches of SWE from the median peak. Again, we are not really at average yet, but this winter has not been a total disaster. For example, the graph below shows this winter (black line) compared to the wretched drought years of 2014 (purple line) and 2015 (orange line).

Obviously we are doing significantly better than those severe drought years. While I would be happier if the winter had produced a deeper snowpack, it has certainly not been a bust and there is a good accumulation of snow. We still have two weeks of March (and rain/snow imminent as I write this) as well as a good chance for more precipitation in April. Naturally, I am ready for some warm spring weather (and Castle Crags exploration!) I won’t argue with more water padding the totals we have gotten thus far.

Though it does not seem to correlate with the data on the NRCS, the numbers according to the Mount Shasta Herald’s site paints a much starker picture. It states that downtown Mount Shasta has only received 12.67 inches. I am not certain what the annual average is but that seems low. In addition, the report lists Stouts Meadow, which is often one of the wettest places in Northern California and its 39.66 inches is lower than what other years have produced. Other areas look lower than normal as well, though none of the averages are cited.

While some of these numbers are pretty good, they don’t necessarily reconcile with the MSH’s numbers. The NRCS data looks good but the MSH numbers seems bleak. This leads to the anecdotal aspect of this snowpack assessment. It is my observation that the winter seems just about normal. With the big storm we had in January depositing a lot of snow in the mountains (especially the Trinity Divide, whereas Mount Shasta’s snow was seemingly blown off by some pretty violent winds), I suspect a good base was laid down. That was reflected with the NRCS numbers that only ran up to the beginning of March. Since then, we have had three notable weather systems pass through the area. Between the three storms, we have had a considerable amount of snow dropped. The accumulated depth (at least at my house) was upwards of three feet of snow. Consider these images from around my house and cabin:

I don’t know if these images do the accumulation justice but it was a lot. In these cases, the snow dropped, settled, melted a little and then had more piled on. The last two storms in particular left over 2 feet between them. Between the lateness in the winter and the slight warming trend we had been enjoying, I had not mentally prepared myself for the amount of snow we got. Both of the latter storms required significant snow clearing.

In the middle of all that, I also managed to take the boy scout troop for which I am scoutmaster on the annual snow camping trip on Mount Shasta. I am grateful that I am able to get these guys out there, even when so many are missing out on so much of life due to virus conditions. Many of these boys would still be stuck at home without something like boy scouts giving them some great memories and experience. Thankfully, the snow is there too. Winter may be coming to an end, but there is still plenty of snow to enjoy for the time being!

To summarize what I have looked at here, according to the NRCS, at the beginning of March the Upper Sacramento and Klamath watersheds had 94% and 82% of normal snowpack, respectively. Since that time, three weather systems have dropped significant precipitation in the area. Consequently, I have to assume that, at the least, the Upper Sacramento watershed might be approaching 100% of normal snowpack as of mid-March. The Klamath, which was lagging, must have improved significantly and if it is not at 100% of normal must be near to it. The one caveat to this is that, for as much snow fell, it was fairly dry and did not have a big water content. Nonetheless, considering how much snow actually fell, it is a positive addition to the snowpack.

The winter may have started later than normal but once it got going, we have done pretty well. A good storm in December, a big one in January and some strong systems in March have helped build a decent snowpack that looks to be close to a normal winter’s accumulation. There is still room in the wet season to pad that out with more snow and rain too. This is good news for the Mount Shasta area and for California!

A frozen sunrise in the Shasta Valley.

Mount Shasta Was On A Roll This Week (Plus Fresh Snow)

Posted by bubbasuess on March 6, 2021
Posted in: Cascade Range, Hiking, Lenticular Clouds, Mount Shasta. 1 Comment

Alpenglow on Mount Shasta beneath a massive lenticular wave.

I have noted on a few occasions that the current lenticular season has been somewhat lackluster. Though there have been a few events scattered throughout the past several months there haven’t been any really massive formations, the kind the tend to punctuate the season and really make you stop and marvel when they do occur. That all changed this past week. In the first 5 days of March, beginning Monday, there were 3 excellent clouds. Though their quality did lessen as the week progressed, they all still far outperformed what had preceded them.

As if that weren’t enough, the storm they had all been prelude to swept through and dropped 4-5 inches of snow at my house. While we were all hoping for more, that is still a welcome burst of snow. The skies are clearing even now and whoever heads up to the ski park is in for a gorgeous bluebird day!

Monday

The first lenticular of the week was by far the most impressive. Large, stable and stretching across the sky, it was one the most massive cloud events over Mount Shasta I have seen. It’s beginning didn’t quite augur its true proportions but those were revealed rather swiftly and maintained an immense presence throughout the day. It ended up coalescing into a staggering wave, similar to those that form over the Sierra Nevada. At sunset, the cloud didn’t quite light up as I had hoped but Mount Shasta managed to catch the alpenglow and it was an utterly spectacular scene.

Thursday

A few days later Mount Shasta again generated another interesting formation. This time it was a large stack to the northeast of the summit. At dawn it highlighted a really fiery sky, though the upper half of the stack was left totally in the dark. Like the wave from Monday, it stuck around all day. However, by sunset, though still extant over Mount Shasta, it was thin and wispy, hardly noticeable or catching light. However, the cloud clinging to the summit of Mount Shasta added some interest and it was still a beautiful end to the day.

Friday

The final lenticular of the week was also a fine one but was positioned further away from Mount Shasta, making it a bit frustrating to photograph. Nonetheless, like its predecessors, it was stable enough to stick around all day, though it was most interesting first thing in the morning. By noon it had flattened out but managed tighten up again for sunset. Unfortunately it never really got any vivid light. In spite of this, it was another spectacular formation to end the week!

Saturday

And now we have some fresh snow, just in time to do a little camping on Mount Shasta!

Chasing A Titan: A Day With An Evolving Mount Shasta Lenticular

Posted by bubbasuess on March 3, 2021
Posted in: Cascade Range, Hiking, Lenticular Clouds, Mount Shasta. 1 Comment

A pair of lenticulars, one massive one a simple disk, hover over Mount Shasta.

Seemingly out of nowhere, a titanic lenticular event manifested over Mount Shasta on Monday, kicking off March with a bang. The sky was basically cloudless at sunrise but by mid-morning it was already getting interesting. Naturally I could not resist heading out and documenting the spectacle, which I did at various times during the day, trying to catch it in its many iterations painted across the sky.

It was obvious from the beginning that this was the big event I have been waiting months for. From the west side of Mount Shasta the clouds seem to stretch from the mountain itself west to Mount Eddy. At times it was a series of lenticular disks while at other times the individual clouds seemed to merge into a single band of wavy formations. However, it was only when traveling to the north that the full scope of the cloud could be appreciated, as it could be seen extending east beyond the Whaleback. It is difficult to gauge the scale of the cloud from a fixed spot low down on the ground but just the linear distance between Mount Eddy and Whaleback is approximately 22.5 miles. That’s a big lenticular!

Click to enlarge:

The wave never quite lit up the way I had hoped but it was a spectacular end to a staggering day nonetheless. The mountain had good color at times and the alpenglow’s subtle illumination of the clouds was still gorgeous if not grand. The totality of the scene was grand enough and then some. I had hoped that a formation as large and durable as this one would still be manifest in the morning. Some form of lenticular was still visible in the moonlight well after midnight. However, with only the surging winds signaling its departure, the titanic formation dissipated into the night. When I headed out the next morning, hoping to capture a lenticular sunrise, there was not even a remnant of it. Such is the will of the mountain. It is unpredictable!

The massive lenticular having vanished , it was just another morning on Mount Shasta.

This was indeed the lenticular I had been waiting for all season. There have been plenty of formations for months but none ever really elevated themselves into the rarified company of the great events. This one did that. I don’t want to be greedy but I hope we get another before summer gets here!

Mount Shasta: Morning, Noon and Night

Posted by bubbasuess on February 27, 2021
Posted in: Cascade Range, Hiking, Lenticular Clouds, Mount Shasta. 3 Comments

A sunrise-lit lenticular seems to be grabbing for Shastarama Point.

Friday was another interesting day around Mount Shasta. Like the day before, the forecast called for partly cloudy skies, which meant that there was a chance something interesting might show up around the mountain. While the day before had been a bit of a disappointment since the promising morning gave way to an essentially cloudless day, Friday promised to offer something completely different. Indeed, the interesting weather persisted through the day and into the night. While the eventful conditions made for a frustrating day at the ski park (too windy for some of the chairlifts), it made for a pleasant day looking through the lens of my camera.

Click to enlarge:

Mount Shasta’s Show Fleeting But A Fine One (And Mount Eddy Too!)

Posted by bubbasuess on February 25, 2021
Posted in: Cascade Range, Hiking, Mount Eddy, Mount Shasta, Trinity Divide. Leave a comment

Though Wednesday proved to be clear-skied Thursday morning offered something altogether different. The forecast called for clouds in the morning. With that in mind, I headed out yet again, but I had slept longer than normal so I only had a few minutes to get to a vantage point before the color really set in. The destination was one only a few minutes from my house and it is a classic standby. I generally try to avoid this one these days but when time is short, it works in a pinch. This turned out to be a good morning to go there, since the color on Mount Shasta was good and the clouds were interesting but the real show was over Mount Eddy. This spot has a good perspective on both, which really paid off.


The summit of Mount Shasta was partially obscured in the clouds but the clouds themselves were quite nice. They soaked up the light of the rising sun in fine fashion. It was hard to distinguish but there was actually a bit of a lenticular in a higher layer of cloud. Though it would have been challenging to really appreciate from the north, the mountain also cast a nice sunrise shadow. Overall, a nice sunrise, but not one as grand as I had hoped.


While Mount Shasta lacked really interesting clouds, the peaks to the west were graced with lenticular-like clouds. Peak 7,869 was light up brightly by the morning light. Over the summit a stream of cloud coursed in layered urgency. It too was alight. This prominent peak is surprisingly nameless and I have come up with various names in the past but that will have to be the subject of another post. If you have a name for this peak, leave a comment. I would love to hear other ideas for this one.


Mount Eddy was the real star of the morning. Even though the eastern side of the mountain is not its best visage it is still higher and larger than anything to the west and the rugged, treeless upper flanks are still quite scenic. Thursday morning saw the mountain overshadowed by a layered lenticular that was highlighted by the sunrise glow. It was hard to get the entire scene into frame and the cloud extended well south of Mount Eddy but the best parts were captured and it ended up being one of the better cloud formations I have captured over that mountain.


Without warning, the color began to fade as the sun rose and the clouds blocked out the light. It grew really overcast before all the clouds blew away, leaving only a small lenticular over Mount Shasta. That too was gone before noon, leaving clear skies for the rest of the day. It was a short performance but it was a good one.


By evening the clouds had not made a return but, on the way home from renting some skis for my son, I saw the moon had risen over Mount Shasta. That was worth a stop to capture with the mountain starting to light up with alpenglow. Considering there were no clouds over the mountain, it was a nice way to end the day. We’ll see what tomorrow brings…