Memorable Cloud Theatrics Over Mount Shasta

Posted by bubbasuess on May 29, 2018
Posted in: Cascade Range, Hiking, Lenticular Clouds, Mount Shasta. 5 Comments

Wild clouds form over Mount Shasta.

I hope everyone had a good Memorial Day weekend. Here in Mount Shasta, the weather was good so for my family it was a weekend of gardening, playing outside and finally getting our kids out on the trail in the high country. My wife and I took our three kids on the Pacific Crest Trail and had a windy afternoon picnic on Gumboot Point. It was a small outing, but we have bigger things planned in June, including Yosemite, Lake Tahoe, the Wallowa Mountains and Hells Canyon. With my older kids starting to perceive more and my two nephews now attending the Naval and Air Force academies, we had some good opportunities to talk about what Memorial Day means. 

The kids enjoy a rocky vista of Gumboot Lake, Mount Eddy and Mount Shasta.

While the weekend was largely cloudless, today was quite different. The clouds formed quickly this morning and continued to spiral, swirl and swell all day. A little after noon some nice lenticulars started to form around the mountain. They persisted through much of the afternoon, giving me cause to hope for an excellent sunset. While the lenticulars ultimately disappeared, the rest of the clouds remained interesting and I was still holding out for an interesting evening. It was not to be however, as large plumes of cloud developed in the west and ultimately blocked the light. There was to be minimal color on the mountain tonight. It remained beautiful, even if it was not what I had hoped for.

With the summer hiking season upon us, the opportunities for great hiking are nearly limitless. I hope everyone has an opportunity to take advantage of the spectacular trails in this area. I will see you out there!

Click to enlarge:

Three Hikes For A Fantastic Memorial Day Sunset

Posted by bubbasuess on May 28, 2018
Posted in: Cascade Range, Hiking, Klamath Mountains, Mount Shasta, Scott Mountains, Trinity Divide. 1 Comment

This is the last day of a gorgeous Memorial Day Weekend. In the midst of reflecting on what the day commemorates, getting outside appreciating the beauty of the land that we have been blessed with is certainly appropriate. As this time comes to a close, it is a good opportunity to enjoy another spectacular Mount Shasta sunset. Of course, many of the most popular trails, like Heart Lake, can get pretty busy. If you want to enjoy solitude and still take in the stunning alpenglow display, there are still numerous trails in the Mount Shasta area from which to enjoy the spectacle.

Green Butte Ridge Trail

With all the people attempting to climb Mount Shasta right now, as well as hikers using the trailhead, Bunny Flat can seem like a real zoo. However, heading up on the Green Butte Ridge Trail will quickly leave the vast majority of the crowd behind and it is likely that you can have a grand seat to the sunset display from the ridge above Avalanche Gulch. Snow may still be lingering at the uppermost elevations of the path but one does not need to climb too high before getting a grand vista. It is a memorable way to watch the color on the mountain.

Pacific Crest Trail To Seven Lakes Basin

This is a popular trail but it is likely that most people will have headed home by the time one heads out in the afternoon to watch the sunset. The PCT from Gumboot Saddle is a gently undulating trail that heads along the spine of the Trinity Divide. Situated high above the headwaters of the South Fork of the Sacramento River, it boasts a prime vantage from which to watch the evening light on Mount Shasta. With its gentle grade and short distance to grand views, this is an easy hike to take kids on too, giving the little ones a chance to appreciate an alpine sunset.

Caldwell Lakes Trail

The Scott Mountains don’t get too much attention but they ought to. They extend many of the best characteristics of the Trinity Divide several miles to the west, connecting the might Trinity Alps. The easiest trail in the range to reach is also one of the least used, leading to the small but beautiful Caldwell Lakes. On the way up, the path features staggering views of both Mount Shasta and Mount Eddy. Climbing to the rocky knoll above the trail as it passes by Lower Caldwell Lake will bring hikers one of the finest sunset views around. You are guaranteed splendid isolation here, and a majestic setting in which to enjoy it!

 

 

 

A Mount Shasta Reader

Posted by bubbasuess on May 25, 2018
Posted in: Cascade Range, Castle Crags, Hiking, Klamath Mountains, Lakes, Mount Eddy, Mount Shasta, Rivers, Trinity Alps, Trinity Divide, Waterfalls. Leave a comment

Spring flowers highlight a fantastic view of Mount Shasta.

The Mount Shasta area is vast and varied. It is a delight to all those who love the natural world and yearn to enjoy it. However, exploring Mount Shasta and its environs can be a daunting task, especially to admirers who have not spent much time in the area or have not had the opportunity to dive into the literature that records many of the areas blessings. This reader is intended to pull together several articles and resources that have appeared on Hike Mt Shasta over the years and place them together in an easy-to-access setting. It is my hope that this will be a useful tool for deepening knowledge and appreciation of Mount Shasta, the surrounding mountains and all of Northern California!

Northern California Geography Orientation

California is probably the most geologically diverse state in America. This in part naturally flows from it’s size but there is also an immense amount of diverse geology packed within its borders. The North State, which is the uppermost part of California, maintains this pattern and presents a confusing array of rock types, numerous mountain ranges and a wide variety of geologic forces at work. This series, “Breaking Down The North State”, offers a good introduction on the geography, geology, and various regions that surround Mount Shasta.

  1. Introduction
  2. Seven Major Regions
  3. The California Cascades
  4. The Klamath Mountains Pt. I
  5. The Klamath Mountains Pt. II

Mount Shasta Landmark Locator

Mount Shasta nearly a mountain range unto itself. There are dozens of landmarks and features waiting to be identified, though there are few easy to use resources to help. The Mount Shasta Landmark Locator can be helpful in learning the mountain’s geography. The Locator has detailed guides to the 4 cardinal orientations of the mountain. This is particularly helpful considering how distinctly different Mount Shasta appears from these perspectives.

The impressive number of landmarks on Mount Shasta is indicative of the mountain’s complex geology. The fact is, Mount Shasta has experienced 4 distinct eruptive epochs, each adding a major quadrant to the volcano’s geography. This has heavily influenced Mount Shasta’s distinct appearance. Read more about these 4 eruption cones here. This article is an excellent companion to the Landmark Locator and helps explain many of the features identified there.

An article that puts Mount Shasta into the broader perspective of Cascade volcanoes does so by comparing the elevations of treeline on numerous mountains found in the range. This emphasizes Mount Shasta’s incredible size.

Neighboring Peaks

Mount Shasta may be the dominant peak in this corner of the country but there are other noteworthy summits that should not be overlooked. The two most obvious are Mount Eddy and Black Butte. The former is the highest point in the Klamath Mountains and the entire coastal ranges of the coterminous states. Dotted with lake basins and boasting spectacular views, it is a premier destination in its own right. The latter of the two peaks is the westernmost summit of the California Cascades. The distinct shape and prominent position make Black Butte an unmissable presence. The trail to the summit is a Mount Shasta area classic.

Other articles on summits around Mount Shasta are:

–The Five Tallest Peaks Around Mount Shasta

–Five Trails To Peaks Around Mount Shasta

Rivers Around The Mountain

Three rivers flow around the base of Mount Shasta. The Sacramento River, California’s largest and longest river, begins nearby, while the McCloud and Shasta Rivers also begin in the area. Flowing through deep canyons, over large waterfalls and through broad valleys, these rivers are beautiful contrasts to the towering spire of Mount Shasta. They also offer diverse recreational opportunities that include hiking, fishing and kayaking. In addition to the rivers, there are dozens of beautiful creeks flowing through the area. Wagon Creek and Castle Creek are probably the most notable but many others yield beautiful and refreshing destination. For those looking to explore, these are 5 of the best trails along rivers and creeks in the area.

See the Mount Shasta Area Rivers Gallery.

Seldom Seen

There are a variety of places around Mount Shasta that don’t see many visitors but still offer spectacular scenery and fascinating geology. The tiny number of people heading to these places is in not indicative of how magnificent they are. This series of articles attempts to pique the reader’s interest and encourage hikers to get out and explore areas beyond the trail.

History

The Mount Shasta vicinity has a long and interesting history. Native Americans lived in the area for millenia before the arrival of Americans. Resource utilization set in early but it was not long before Mount Shasta had gained the attention of many conservation luminaries. Most notable of these was John Muir himself, the father of the modern conservation movement. He had a long and important relationship with Mount Shasta, making several trips to the area. He strongly advocated the mountain be preserved as a national park:

“The Shasta region is still a fresh unspoiled wilderness, accessible and available for travelers of every kind and degree. Would it not be a fine thing to set it apart like the Yellowstone and Yosemite as a National Park for the welfare and benefit of all mankind, preserving its fountains and forests and all its glad life in primeval beauty?”
– John Muir, “Picturesque California”, 1888

Read more about John Muir’s thoughts about Mount Shasta here.

This article collects several other discussions of vintage Mount Shasta subjects.

Visiting Mount Shasta

Hiking is naturally a favorite way of appreciating Mount Shasta. Hundreds of miles of trail course across the mountain’s flanks and through the surrounding ranges. This map shows most of the trails on and around Mount Shasta:

Other articles that might be helpful:

–The Perfect Weekend: Three Days In Mount Shasta

–Three Spectacular Drive-To Vistas Of Mount Shasta

–An East Side Glacier View

–Sacramento River Scrambling

–Five Fantastic Mount Shasta Vistas

 

I hope this is a helpful resource to all those looking to enjoy Mount Shasta. Thanks for investing your time in Hike Mt Shasta!

Gumboot And Parks Creek Passes Open

Posted by bubbasuess on May 25, 2018
Posted in: Cascade Range, Klamath Mountains, Lakes, Mount Shasta, Scott Mountains, Trinity Alps, Trinity Divide. 1 Comment

 

Mount Shasta makes a dramatic sight from near Gumboot Saddle.

This is probably old news to some but I figured I ought to make sure that the news is out there. I confirmed today that both Parks Creek Pass and Gumboot Saddle are open. This has several implications for hikers this weekend and beyond. Most importantly, several fantastic hikes on the Pacific Crest Trail are now wide open and hikable. This includes the Seven Lakes Basin, Porcupine and Toad Lakes, Deadfall Basin and Mount Eddy as well as some trails in the Scott Mountains such as the PCT to Bluff Lake and the scramble up to China Mountain. Each of these is a fantastic hike and worth the time this weekend.

Another implication of the opening of the passes, specifically Parks Creek, is the quick availability of trails in Trinity Alps. The closest to the Mount Shasta area are the hikes to the Bear Lakes and Tangle Blue Lake. Other nearby trails include the routes to Stoddard Lake and to the summit of Billys Peak Lookout. Other destinations can be accessed from some of the trailheads, opening up the possibility of longer backpacking trips. The trails themselves should all be wide open and snow free by this point, so the Trinity Alps are open for business.

With the passes open, scenic driving is also a possibility. The loop up South Fork Road to Gumboot and then around to Horse Heaven Meadow and down into the Castle Creek drainage offers awesome views of the Trinity Alps, southern Trinity Divide and the Castle Crags. Driving up to Parks Creek Pass has awesome views of Mount Shasta, the Scott Mountains, Mount Eddy and the Trinity Alps.

All in all, this is perfect timing for the long weekend. With all the trails opened up (except for those at the Old Ski Bowl), there is more room for everyone to spread out and enjoy the Mount Shasta area without feeling like everyone is on the same trail. It is one of the (few) blessings of a light winter.

 

Stormy Valley Sunrise

Posted by bubbasuess on May 23, 2018
Posted in: Cascade Range, Hiking, Mount Shasta. Leave a comment

A Shasta Valley sunrise view of storm clouds around Mount Shasta.

As usual, I was up early this morning and, seeing the clouds about, decided to head out and see what the sunrise offered. Yesterday was warm but large clouds persisted around the mountain so I was not surprised to see that they had grown significantly during the night. As I set up my camera, I realized that not only was it cloudy, it was actually getting rather stormy. The wind was blowing swiftly and rain began falling.

I know thunderstorms are a common occurrence no matter where one goes but for some reason the feeling in the air and the rain falling reminded me of being back in the Pecos Wilderness in New Mexico. Though that particular wildland is high elevation and alpine, the land at it’s feet is high desert, much like the Shasta Valley. This was not a landscape that I was initially attracted to but I came to have an immense love and appreciation for it during my time in Texas. I am thankful that the Mount Shasta area has a good portion of this kind of terrain.

The sunrise this morning was not unusually spectacular. Rather, it was a demonstration of how mundanely exceptional the landscape around Mount Shasta is. The clouds around the mountain were alight with the rising sun but the really interesting views were further north. The sun rose in between Sheep Rock and Whaleback, dramatically illuminating the lands beneath the peaks. The juniper-studded hills were glowing from the dawn light while the Goosenest rose dramatically above the valley. There was nothing particularly memorable about it but it was all typically amazing.

Click to enlarge:

 

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. 2 Comments

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.