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Mount Shasta’s Northside~Hotlum/Bolam, Southside Conditions and Castle Lake Area

April 29, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Current Conditions on Southside 5-2-2013

Bunny Flat 5-2-2013

Bunny Flat

It’s really starting to melt down low but still skiable. A little smokey!

Between 7,000-8,000 ft. it’s marginal and 9,000 up~ GOOD!

Road beyond Bunny Flat

Road beyond Bunny Flat

It’s still going to be awhile before the road opens up to the Old Ski Bowl.

Today (Monday) a friend and I headed over to the North Gate Trailhead. We were able to drive within a half mile before reaching snow.

8,000 ft.

8,000 ft. on Mt. Shasta’s Northside

We were able to skin up from where we parked. Snow was a little patchy down low but consistent most of the way.

Nice Coverage!

Nice Coverage on Hotlum/Bolam Route!

We skinned up to 9,200 ft. before hitting the winds making conditions icy and rough. Found nice snow all the way down to the trail head. Probably not going to last long with the warm temps we’ve been having.

Wondering what’s been happening over at Castle Lake…

Castle Lake

Castle Lake

Spring time!!!

Seasonal Waterfall

Seasonal Waterfall

Now’s a good time to go waterfall hiking. This was an all day hike located in the Castle Crags Wilderness.

Who's This?

Who’s This?

Joaquin Miller!

Miller was may things; miner and traveler; horse thief, lawyer, and judge, Indian hunter and Indian supporter; truth-bender, writer, and at times an amazingly accurate historical interpreter of California in the mid-1800s. Learn more on one of the very interested tours offered by our local Sisson Museum~
http://mtshastamuseum.com/events/tours/

 Come out and support Siskiyou County Search & Rescue Fundraiser Dinner and Auction May 10, 2013!

SAR Fundraiser

SAR Fundraiser

Call or email me at 530-926-3250 or robin@mountshastaguide.com for tickets and more information.

Have a great weekend!

Filed Under: Avalanche Gulch, Castle Lake, Hotlum/Bolam, Mount Shasta, Mt. Shasta, Northgate Trailhead, Snow

SPRING IS IN THE AIR!

March 10, 2013 By Leave a Comment

After last week with over 2 feet of snow on the mountain,

Castle Lake, Mt. Shasta

Castle Lake, Mt. Shasta

a warm front is moving in~http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Mount+Shasta&state=CA&site=MFR&lat=41.3181&lon=-122.32

nbmvm

Off the beat and path!

 Thinking about Climbing Mt. Shasta this spring or summer…give me a call @ 530-926-3250 and I’ll help you get set up!

Have a great week!

Filed Under: Castle Lake, Mount Shasta, Mt. Shasta

Spaceships, UFOs or…Maybe the Lemurians!

January 31, 2013 By 3 Comments

This week we’ve been seeing incredible cloud formations!

ghfhgdhf

Ready for landing…

These flying saucer type clouds have inspired the connection between the mountain and UFOs with many stories being told beginning with Frederick Spencer Oliver’s 1905 book, A Dweller on Two Planets. Descendents of the mythical civilization of Lemuria have long be said to have taken refuge inside Mt. Shasta and they have spaceships!

Triple Decker!

Triple Decker!

Lenticulars are made of water droplets and wind. To create a lenticular cloud, there must be a strong wind to carry the moisture up and over the mountain.

WoW!!!

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest!

WoW!!!~This amazing photo was taken by Ken Nelson.

Alpine Glow Sunset

Alpine Glow Sunset

High Pressure moving in for a while…http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Mount+Shasta&state=CA&site=MFR&lat=41.3181&lon=-122.32

Come on up and PLAY in the SNOW!

Filed Under: Castle Lake, Mount Shasta, Mt. Shasta

More Fresh Snow On…Mt. Shasta

January 24, 2013 By Leave a Comment

A  storm front is moving into the area through the weekend.

A Quick Glance of Sunshine!

January 24, 2013

A quick glance of sunshine!

So far the mountain has received around 7 inches of snow. Weather 8,500 ft.~http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=41.38814294931545&lon=-122.21809387207031&site=mfr&unit=0&lg=en&FcstType=text

Green Butte Ridge Proper

Upper Broadway 9,400 ft.~January 20, 2013

My Birthday Corn Snow Present!

Excellent conditions on the ridges for climbing!

Thinking about climbing Mt. Shasta during winter or early spring, let me help plan your trip!

or

Thinking about

Taking an Avalanche Course?

Snow Pit for snow observation.

Snow Pit for snow observation.

Level I and Level II AIARE Avalanche Seminars Available.

Give me a call at 530-926-3250

and how’s the scenery…

Castle Lake Area

Castle Lake Area

Sublime…

Lenticular Hovering Mt. Shasta

Lenticular Hovering Mt. Shasta

Have a great weekend!

Filed Under: Avalanche Gulch, Castle Lake, Mount Shasta, Mt. Shasta

Castle Lake Area and Castle Crags Ski

January 6, 2013 By Leave a Comment

This week has been all about the Castle Lake area.

Road is plowed to the lake and the skiing has been superb!

Castle Lake and Middle Peak to the west.

Great snow pack with Surface Frosthoar Snow. Something to keep in mind for future snowfalls and avalanche potential. Current advisory~http://www.shastaavalanche.org/advisories/advisories/avalanche-advisory

Early Morning Castle Crags

DSC07348

Mt. Shasta, Black Butte and Lake Siskiyou

Gerald & Bluey

Gerald & Bluey

Thanks for taking me to your secret powder stash!

Saturday Morning Glory!

Mt. Shasta beautiful Lenticular Clouds!

Castle Spires in the foreground.

We headed over and skied some Pow-der!

Up Close & Personal!

 Wanna go on a guided ski or snowshoe tour of this area or Mt. Shasta…Give me a call at 530-926-3250

and what’s happening on Mt. Shasta…

Up the Gulch...

Up the Gulch…1/06/2013

We received a couple inches of new snow and skiing is good!

Looks like unsettled weather for this upcoming week at 8500 ft.~

 http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=41.38814294931545&lon=-122.21809387207031&site=mfr&unit=0&lg=en&FcstType=text

 Have a great week and come up and play in the SNOW!

Filed Under: Avalanche Gulch, Castle Lake, Mount Shasta, Mt. Shasta

Bus Touring with Friendly Excursions Inc.

September 24, 2012 By Leave a Comment

All Clear Skies~Ready for take off…

Joe, our awesome bus driver!

I met this very enthusiastic group in Red Bluff. Next to Lassen Volcanic National Park.

Lassen Volcanic National Park

We drove through the park with a quick stop at the Bumpass Hell Parking area showing the remnants of ancient Mt. Tehama.

Debbie~Tour Escort. Thanks for the pictures!

Our next stop~Burney Falls. Theodore Roosevelt once described Burney Falls as the “eighth wonder of the world”.

Our very colorful bus! Old Ski Bowl, Mt. Shasta

The second day we toured the Mt. Shasta area.

Me in action…

Castle Lake Fun~

Just Lovely!

Enjoying the Pristine Waters!

Having Fun!

What a great 2 days with this wonderful group.

Mt. Shasta’s East side.

The beginning of fall is bringing nice comfortable temperatures.

Have a great week!

Filed Under: Castle Lake, Lassen Volcanic National Park, Mount Shasta, Mt. Shasta

Hot, Hot, Hot…Mt. Shasta

August 14, 2012 By Leave a Comment

It’s been very hot and occasional smoke this week in the Mt. Shasta area.

Castle Lake

Great time to jump in a lake and cool off.

and here’s what happening on Mt. Shasta…

Avalanche Gulch 8-13-2012

Not looking so good for climbing. Lots of rock fall to be aware of. Still good climbing on the north and east side of Mt. Shasta. Give me a call for more details-530-926-3250

The Magic Mushroom Rock 12,800 ft.

This is over on the Clear Creek route.

Lots of Scree!

This is the least technical climb on Mt. Shasta. Wanna climb it- Here are dates still available Aug. 16-17, Aug. 18-19, Aug 25-26, Sept. 1-2, Sept. 8-9 and Sept 15, 16. There are 3 days available too…and

CREVASSE RESCUE & GLACIER TRAVEL

3-DAY SPECIAL FOR $395.00 ($200.00 OFF) (3 person minimum)

Dates available Aug. 24-25, Sept. 1-3, Sept. 11-13, Sept. 21-23 and Oct. 5-7

For more details, call me at 530-926-3250 or email robin@mountshastaguide.com

Old Ski Bowl

Wanna go on a hike? Great hiking on Mt. Shasta and the Mt. Shasta area. Lots of great hikes in my book, “Mount Shasta Guide to Fun”. http://mountshastaguide.com/about-the-book/

Lupines are Blooming!

Have a great week!

Filed Under: Avalanche Gulch, Castle Lake, Mount Shasta, Mt. Shasta, Old Ski Bowl, wildflowers

More Rain and Snow This Week!

April 10, 2012 By Leave a Comment

This past week has been…here are the pictures~

She's Fully Covered~Nice!

Above Lake Helen~Looking Good!

Looks like it’s going to be a great climbing season!

Let me help plan your trip~http://mountshastaguide.com/trip-planner/

Wondering what’s happening at Castle Lake~

Still Good Skiing!

and the waterfalls…

Fairy Falls

Watersheds are filling up!

Lake Siskiyou, Mt. Shasta

Looks like another 2+ feet of snow on Mt. Shasta by the end of the week-

http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=41.37062534198901&lon=-122.19818115234375&site=mfr&smap=1&marine=0&unit=0&lg=en

Have a great week!

Filed Under: Avalanche Gulch, Castle Lake, Fairy Falls, Lake Siskiyou, Mount Shasta, Mt. Shasta

Mt. Shasta…A Windy Tease!

December 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Wanna know how much snow we got…

New Snow on the Road

Enough to tour up the road~3 inches

Snow Getting Wind Blown!

She peaked out from the clouds. A few new inches up there.

Windy Up High!

Above 12,000 ft, winds are predicting to reach up to 90 m.p.h…that’s WINDY!

How about ICE SKATING~Check out this awesome video of Castle Lake my friend Ken Nelson put together.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5YnIBIiCsQ

I know I keep repeating myself…Keep doing the “SNOW DANCE”!

and as always, Have a great weekend!

 

Filed Under: Avalanche Gulch, Castle Lake, Mount Shasta, Mt. Shasta

What’s Happening at Castle Lake…

December 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment

With no snow in the near future, I’ve been wondering what the conditions are like at Castle and Heart Lake?

Castle Lake 12-09-2011, Klamath Mountain Range

I took a hike up to Heart Lake this morning to check out conditions. It’s absolutely beautiful for snow hiking.

There’s snow and a well booted path up but early morning makes it a icy hike up. Be prepared with the proper footwear.

Heart Lake

Heart Lake is frozen over. I didn’t see any skate tracks but did see foot tracks.

Here’s the scoop for safety and walking on ice from the National Association for Search and Rescue: 2 inches=walking, 4 inches=fishing, 5 inches=snowmobiles, 8-12 inches=vehicles

Castle Lake Up Close

There’s a nice thin layer of ice on Castle Lake.

This lake was once known to the Shasta and Wintu Indians as “Castle of the Devil”. They believed an evil spirit “Ku-Ku-Pa-Rick” lived in the lake and made the eerie echoing sounds heard in the winter. These noises were later to be discovered to be the movement of ice. It’s making those sounds!

and latest conditions on Mt. Shasta~

Avalanche Gulch 12-08-2011

Not much snow!

Down Gemini Tree

A great place to hang out and enjoy the mountain views!

Have a great weekend!

Filed Under: Castle Lake, Mount Shasta, Mt. Shasta

Autumn is here and very exciting news…

October 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Autumn is in the air.

Colors of fall are just starting to change.

Castle Lake

If your looking for a good hike this weekend, Castle Lake offers excellent hiking and exploring opportunities.

Mt. Shasta's Lenticular Cloud

 The views from the Castle Lake area are beautiful.

This week the mountain has shown off many incredible Lenticular Clouds~

http://www.siskiyous.edu/shasta/env/clouds/

Very Exciting News…

Gateway Trail

Check out the newest trail addition for Mt. Shasta~The Gateway Trail

http://www.mtshastanews.com/features/x617626203/Gateway-Trails-expected-to-open-by-summer

Looks like the next 10 day forecast are for sunny skies!

Enjoy the beautiful falls colors and have a great weekend!

Filed Under: Castle Lake, Mount Shasta

Beyond Mt. Shasta…Lakes, Rivers and Streams!

July 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The snow’s melting and the watersheds are full.

A lot of the lakes are mostly melting out now with just patches of snow surrounding them.

Gumboot Lake

This lake is clear of snow and great camping surrounding the lake.

Check out description in my book, “Mount Shasta Guide to Fun”.

Kayakers Enjoying the Waterfall

Castle Lake is clear of snow on the lake that is.

Still snow at Heart Lake and beyond.

Remnants of a once thriving resort

Can you guess where this is?

Come a on tour and found out!

Western Azaleas

These are some of my favorite wildflowers. They are in bloom at the higher elevations.

Boots off-Creek Crossing

The Diva Group got together and hiked to some secret waterfalls.

Thanks everyone for making this such a fun hike!

Our Reward!

This beautiful waterfall is located in the Klamath Mountain Range.

Looks like it’s going to be another sunny weekend…and yes we still have snow. Check out latest advisory~

http://www.shastaavalanche.org/advisories/advisories/climbing-advisory

Get out there and enjoy our beautiful lakes, rivers, and creeks.

As always, Have a GREAT Weekend!

 

Filed Under: Castle Lake, Gumboot Lake, McCloud Falls, Waterfalls

Castle Lake~Yep Still Snow!

May 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Castle Lake May 20th Skiing!

Skinning Up towards Middle Peak

Decent coverage still for May.  Manzanita brush starting to show.

Get it while it’s good!

Castle Spires

More great ski terrain. Saw a few avalanche sluffs off the slopes.

With warm temps, skin early and ski before snow gets sloppy and avalanche potential.

Know your slope angles and aspects.

Avalanche Gulch, Mt. Shasta

Looking over at the Southeast slope off Casaval into Avalanche Gulch-

See the two avalanches. Looks like more activity in Sun Bowl and Powder Bowl.

Signs are out there. Be avy savy!

Very Cozy

Relaxing before the descent.

Hoisting Practice

This week we also had Helicopter Training.

With climbing season approaching, it’s good to be prepared for helicopter rescues.

Black Hawk

This specialized Ship is used for Summit Rescues on the summit of Mt. Shasta.

Black Hawk Cockpit

Here’s my chance to sit in the cockpit.

Looks like we may get a little weather this weekend.

http://www.shastaavalanche.org/advisories/advisories/climbing-advisory

Have a great weekend everyone!

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