Mount Shasta
Mt. Shasta is undoubtedly one of the best backcountry skiing locations in our area. During the winter and into summer, skiers and snowboarders can find endless opportunities for fresh tracks all over the mountain. On the lower parts of the mountain, endless glades and trees allow for fun, mellow exploration. While on the upper part of the mountain, steep couloirs and technical descents abound! Mt. Shasta is also one of the easiest places around to get into trouble. The mountain is large enough that it creates it's own weather. A cap can form on the summit in a matter of minutes making travel there virtually impossible. Also, Mt Shasta is avalanche prone. So much so in fact that the only avalanche forecasting happening in our area is on Mt. Shasta.
For a more front country day, there is also a ski area on Mt. Shasta's southern flanks. With three lifts and access to some side- and back-country, it can be a fun place to explore.
Terrain
Located at the southern end of the Cascades, Mount Shasta rises to 14,179 ft. This makes it the second highest peak in the Cascades and the fifth highest in California. Mt. Shasta is also a glaciated peak with seven named glaciers on its flanks. Rising almost 10,000 ft above the surrounding landscape, it is the most voluminous stratovolcano in the Cascade Volcanic Arc with an estimated volume of 85 cubic miles.
Skill Level:
Intermediate - Advanced
Directions & Map:
- From the Ashland Outdoor Store, head SE on Siskiyou Blvd/99. Stay on this road through town.
- Merge onto I-5, heading South, just South of town. Stay on I-5 South into California for about 68.4 miles.
- Take exit 740 towards Mt. Shasta City.
- Take a Left onto Ski Village Drive. Make sure to stay on Ski Village Drive until it dead ends.
- Take a Left onto Everitt Memorial Highway. Follow this for just over 10 miles.
- Park at the Bunny Flats parking area. In winter, this is as far as you can go on this road.
Recommended Equipment
- Day Pack (15L-35L)
- Layers
- Gloves
- Hat
- Active layer - soft shell or fleece
- Insulating layer - down or synthetic fill jacket
- Hard Shell pant and top
- Avalanche Gear
- Avalanche Beacon
- Shovel
- Probe
- Knowledge and practice using this gear
- A partner who also has this gear and knows how to use it
- A printout of current avalanche conditions from the local avalanche center
- First Aid Kit
- Backcountry repair kit
- Basic emergency/overnight kit
- Small foam pad for breaks
- Goggles or sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Camera
Food & Water
For water, 2L-3L per person for a day trip is recommended. As for food, several small snacks throughout the day are recommended. Big meals are fun but bog you down. Small snacks allow for a continual flow of energy to your body. For your snacks, try to balance sugars, fats, proteins, and carbs so your body is continually fueled. This helps reduce crashes in energy during the day.
Additional Info
- Trailhead Lat/Long: 41° 21' 14.58" N x 122° 13' 59.61" W
- Trailhead elevation: 6930ft
Resources & Links
Weather
Click Here for the NOAA weather forcast for this area.
