Are you a climber? Do you want to conquer the world’s highest mountains? Then, You surely choose Mount Shasta as your destination. One of the most popular hacks for Mt Shasta hiking at cheap. Its challenging route attracts maximum climbers.
Also, this can be a great start if you’re new to hiking. Last August, I went Mt Shasta hiking at the request of one of my mountaineer friends. It was a very unique feeling. But learned a lot from my friend while hiking. I feel that if one wants to come without a guide, it is very important to know many things.
Don’t Fear because Mt Shasta hiking takes a lot of courage, and I know you have that courage. I had my friends with me, and I am here for you. So today, I bring you a complete guide through Mt Shasta hiking for beginners. After reading all these things, I hope you will find hiking very easy.
1. Six Things About Mount Shasta Area:
One of the highest peaks in Northern California is Mount Shasta. It is called the 2nd highest in the Cascades and is also known as the 5th highest peak in the state. In addition to being the highest peak in California, it is also an active volcano.
1.1 Geology:
The height of this mountain is 14179 km, and the volume is 85 cubic miles. Mount Shasta is also known as the largest stratovolcano in the Cascade Volcanic Arc. More than 15,000 people every year, start their journey on the way to Mt. Shasta hiking.
This mountain has ten glaciers, and the surrounding area belongs to the Shasta Trinity National Forest. In a word, this area provides magically powerful energy for the mountaineer.
Close-ups of rocky outcrops, crazy divides, and snow-packs on a line through the trees are even more captivating. This is accessible through hiking trails, inspiring mountaineers to climb Mt Shasta hiking.
Looking at the nature of Mount Shasta, it can be seen that it consists of four volcanic cones, which overlap each other.
These four volcanic cones are Shastina, Misery Hill, Hotlam, and Sargent’s Ridge. The mountain comprises four overlapping dormant volcanic cones, forming a complex shape, with the main peak and the prominent and conical summit of Shastina visible at 12,330 feet (3,760 m).
On this surface, so many are relatively free of deep glacial erosion. Conversely, it runs parallel to the Sargent’s Ridge U-shaped avalanche to the south.
This mountain has so many large glacial valleys. Although it currently has no glaciers. Whitney Glacier, a glacier on this mountain, is the longest glacier.
Hotlam Glacier is the largest glacier in the state of California.
During Mt Shasta hiking, you can see, especially on a clear, cold day, that the mountain rises 140 miles (230 km) southward from the Central Valley floor.
However, before you start hiking, you should know that there are not many C trails to the top of Mount Shasta.
Gasse what? Here, you will find 10 maintenance duty trailheads. You must go through the Mount Shasta Wilderness to get to these trailheads.
But do you know what the funniest thing about Mt Shasta is? None of it leads directly to its summit.
1.2 Volcanic Status:
The dormant volcano Mount Shasta has erupted on average every 800 years for the past 10,000 years but has erupted on average every 600 years for the past 4,500 years.
Now that the volcano has been relatively quiet for at least the last 15 years, with only a few minor earthquakes and no demonstrable ground deformation, you can safely go Mt Shasta hiking for now. But here’s one thing that will double the fun of your adventure. That is Fumarel, and there are fumaroles on the mountain, which prove that Mount Shasta is still alive.
The United States Geological Survey rates Mount Shasta as an extremely high-threat volcano. Did you increase your enthusiasm after hearing it? But along with crampons and ice axes, hikers need a strong will to make their way.
This is especially important to keep in mind for new riders. For those planning or wanting to go, September is the end of Shasta’s peak climbing season. However, I expect you’ll find several hiker-trampled trails to the top.
1.3 Castle Lake:
You can have an amazing experience at this place while hiking Mount Shasta. The location of this Castle Lake is located on the west side of Mount Shasta City and Shasta Peak. This beautiful glacial lake is spread over about 47 acres of land and has a depth of 110 feet.
During Mt Shasta hiking, the trails lead from Castle Lake to Castle Crags Wilderness and Castle Crags State Park. You can go camping beside this lake, and you enjoy fishing too. This magical environment will give you a feeling of heaven.
1.4 Castle Crags Trail :
Castle Crags is a well-known rock formation in Northern California along the Sacramento River. The crags along the river have elevations of up to 6,500 feet. You can choose it for hiking as well if you want.
1.5 Castle Crags State Park:
Located along the Northern California Sacramento River, this park is great for camping. Entry is free, but overnight stays are $30. The best time to visit here is spring.
In summer, it is very hot, and in winter, this place is completely covered with snow.
1.6 History of Mount Shasta:
There was a time when Mount Sasta was the center of interest for writers, poets, and scientists even more than mountaineers. Originally from the 1860s to 1870s, there was a trove of scientific and literary interest around the mountain.
Elias Peirce first climbed this challenging, mysterious, and beautiful mountain in 1854. His climb was the result of many failures.
The California Gold Rush brought the first American European settlement in 1850 to this area.
There is a local saying that they consider this mountain as a holy place. They think there is a spiritual power or energy here. They also think that going to this mountain will make them mentally strong.
They also believe that this mountain is the house of God. Hence, more mountain climbing is seen among the people of the area.
2. Backpack For Mt Shasta Hiking:
Backpacking is the most important aspect of climbing Mount Shasta. This is very important for those who want to climb for the first time. The list must be checked before you pack.
- It’s common for you to wear winter clothing when hiking snow-capped Mount Shasta.
- For that, you can choose a fleece jacket or vest and pants. In addition, anti-cold gloves and hats. If you want good sleep, you can choose a Wuqing long-sleeved T-shirt and underwear.
- Along with clothes, shoes are essential for Mt Shasta hiking. Use hiking boots for my Mt Shasta hiking to move forward without difficulty. Don’t even think about taking normal boots. And don’t forget the socks. And yes, take synthetic or wool socks.
- A GPS, map, and compass for caution, but keep them in your backpack. The danger comes without saying.
- The danger comes without saying. Carry sunscreen, sunglasses, and anti-glaciation goggles for the warmer weather or for the winter. Don’t forget to have lighting when you are going Mt Shasta hiking. So remember to keep a flashlight or headlamp in your bag.
- Along with some extra batteries. So a first aid kit should be kept first. A fire source is not forgotten to survive in the snow region. So take a fire starter, a waterproof container, and several match lighters.
- Another thing that I had forgotten to take but didn’t have to suffer because of my friend. And the thing is repair items, like knives, duct tape, and multi-tools.
- Don’t forget to carry food. You must need too much food supply for about 3-4 days. And with that, you must make provision for drinking water so that you don’t have to face problems during Mt Shasta hiking.
- While hiking on Mount Shasta, you need to have some sort of shelter. For this, tents are essential to carry.
2.1 Some Extra Important Things to Carry in a Backpack:
- Pack cover
- Tent, tarp, or bivy purse (with stakes, guylines)
- Tent-pole restoration sleeves
- Napping bag
- Stuff satchel or compression sack
- Napping mattress
- Cushions or stuffable pillowcases
- A multifunction watch with an altimeter
- Hiking poles
- Ice ax
- Stamina-building food (bars, gels, chews, trail mixes) and energy drinks or drink mixes
- Fuel
- Cookset (with utensil holder)
- Dish or bowl
- Cup (for measuring cup)
- Beer canister
- Nylon rope (50′ for hanging food)
- Backup water treatment
- Collapsible sink or receptacle
- Packable lanterns
3. Wilderness Border:
Mount Shasta’s Bess Skirt covers about 34,000 acres. It is called the highest point of Mount Shasta. Many hikers who climb the 8,000- to 8,500-foot elevation to the 14,161-foot summit are believed to succeed in conquering the Cascade Range’s second-highest peak.
This peak extends north towards Caldor into British Columbia. The ride includes an 11-mile round-trip course up Avalanche Gulch. This avalanche gulch trail is a great starting point for beginner hikers looking at Mt Shasta hiking. It is still a popular trail today for new hikers or experienced.
The reason is that you will get the closest to the summit via this route. Labeled a Grade IV trail, the technical climbing and steep snow-packed hikes can take hikers all day.
However, many hikers complete it in two days as well. There is also a camping spot called Horse Camp at an elevation of 6,880 feet from the Access Bunny Flat trailhead.
4. Subordinate Peaks:
4.1 Shastina:
The third-highest peak of the Cascade Range is Shastina. At the top of this peak is a large crater known as Clarence King Lake. When no ice is in the lock, the water looks a bright turquoise color.
If you want to reach it, you have to go through Hidden Valley to Bunny Flat Trailhead. Then, move on to the Cascade Gulch Trail or the more challenging Lightning Bolt Trail. Other attractions on this peak include Sisson Lake, another small body of water in the saddle that joins Shasta and Shastina.
4.2 Shastarama Point:
If you go hiking in Mount Shasta, be sure to visit Shastarama. If you go to Shastaram, you can reach this peak only if you proceed toward the south side of Mt Shasta.
A more challenging hike than Shastarama because of the snow-layered trail, Shastarama Point is located along Sargent’s Ridge.
You can reach this place by taking the Old Ski Bowl Trail. The Sergeant’s Ridge Trail to Shastarama Point offers some of the most memorable views of the mountain.
Don’t forget to stop at Southgate Meadows on the east side of the ridge.
4. Green Butte:
At 9,193 feet is an old ski bowl parking lot. This route is completely unmaintained.
So, Green Butte Hike is considered more challenging than Shashtina. You can reach there from a 1.3-mile trail if you want to go.
5. Waterfalls:
If you want to see the upper falls on Mount Shasta, I’d say give up hope because Mount Shasta doesn’t have a waterfall. However, several of its surrounding trails have some incredible waterfalls. For that, you have to take the McCloud River route.
Then the trailhead, just 20 minutes from Mt Shasta, takes the round-trip trail to a fairyland of three waterfalls — each different, no less compelling, enough to make you happy.
The hike starts near Lower McCloud Falls, and then it’s a 1.2-mile hike to Middle McCloud Falls.
Middle McCloud is considerably wider than Lower Falls. Here, you can take some rest if you want because the next stage of the hike is more demanding and challenging. There is a pencil-shaped upper fall.
To see it, you have to overlook the flats on the edge of a canyon. But in addition to the waterfall views, Mt Shasta has seven active glaciers, many of which can be reached on the main trail.
They are mainly covered by about 5 billion cubic feet of ice. They are the only glaciers in the United States that are still growing year after year. These glaciers, not yet recognized by the US Geological Survey, flank the mountain above its tree line.
6. Weather:
While going Mt Shasta hiking, you will encounter mostly cool natural weather and sometimes challenging rocky trails.
Most hikers’ biggest problems are heavy avalanches and poor weather conditions caused by lava.
While you are hating, the temperature drops from 90 degrees ℉ to -1°F the higher you go from the mountain’s base.
On one side of the mountain, heavy snowfall and foggy conditions can be seen there. This is usually due to the vertical surface of the mountain influencing the airflow.
Mount Shasta has a microclimate that can predict the weather. So definitely know the weather from there before you go Mt Shasta hiking.
7. What is the Perfect Time to Go to Mount Shasta Hiking?
If you want to know the right time for Mt Shasta hiking. So I would say summer is the best time. But you can go on Mt Shasta hiking all year round. Most climbers choose the period from May to September. Therefore, This time is very busy.
During this time, most of the Campgrounds are open. If you desire to climb to the top, then I must say that you need the blessing of God.
Because only if the weather is good can you climb to the top. That’s why if you go from May to July, you may get that opportunity.
Going towards winter, i.e., right after summer, you have to overcome the difficulty of a rocky path.
8. Is Any Permit Required Before Going Hiking?
Yes, of course, if you want to go Mt Shasta hiking, you must get your permit from the Wilderness.
You need to reach the ranger station at the trailhead to get this permission. You get a free permit if you want to climb up to 10,000 feet. But if you want to climb above 10,000 feet, you need to get a permit for $20.
Which is a three-day pass of Mount Shasta. Mount Shasta has a year-round summit pass that costs $30.
Setter Foundation has arranged camping towards the horse camp spot on its behalf.
Under their supervision, they provide tents, clean drinking water, and all other necessities for the climbers. Here, you can get $5 per tent.
9. How Long Does it Take to Hike to the Top of Mount Shasta?
How long does it take to hike Shasta Mountain? Well, You can complete the hike in 1 day. But if there are natural challenges, it may take you 2 days.
9.1 How Difficult is it to Hike Mt Shasta?
Shasta hiking is very strenuous, especially for new hikers. Its technical route and varying weather conditions make the route even more challenging due to the rocky path.
So I would like to say that drive a guide with you for better hiking.
Last Updated on by Sathi Chakraborty, MSc Biology
