Mt. Shasta

Mt. Shasta…Latest Weather Report

December 29, 2011 By Robin Leave a Comment

January 1, 2012

New Snow!!!

Happy New Years!

We did get a few inches to a foot of new snow. There are still lots of rocks and logs out there. Very cautious skiing and snowshoeing.

Weather has finally made a change. It’s raining in town and snowing at the higher elevations on the mountain.

Wednesday at Bunny Flat-

Looking Pretty Grim

Let’s hope it’s snowing up there. Here’s the latest report from the Avalanche Advisory and weather~

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

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

Tree Skiing...No Really! 12-28-2011

There are a few obstacles on the road from Bunny Flat to the Old Ski Bowl.

Where is the SNOW!

My friend in search of snow…hope you find some in Utah!

As always, have a great weekend and I’ll update any new SNOW!

Filed Under: Avalanche Gulch, Mt. Shasta

Mt. Shasta…A Windy Tease!

December 15, 2011 By Robin 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 Robin 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

Very Windy Mt. Shasta!!!

December 1, 2011 By Robin Leave a Comment

RIP...Gemini Tree December 2011

This beautiful Red Fir was known as the Gemini Tree and a prominent landmark on Mt. Shasta. Sadly to say, it was blown over this week in the major wind storms we had. I took this picture last week. Not much snow left…kept doing the SNOW DANCE!

This week’s conditions has been “WINDY”!!!

Everitt Memorial Hwy Dec. 1, 2011

Very high winds predicted for the rest of the week. Be cautious out there!

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

Green Butte Ridge/Broadway Getting Wind Blown

Too many rocks for my like~Keep doing the SNOW DANCE!

Bunny Flat Dec. 1, 2011

Have a great weekend!

Filed Under: Avalanche Gulch, Mt. Shasta

Current Mt. Shasta Conditions!

November 26, 2011 By Robin Leave a Comment

We are starting to get decent coverage.

Coverage Looking Good! November 26, 2011

Temps warming up, I decided to ski back down in the shaded trees.

A Few Turns!

We got almost 2 feet of freshies. A good base so far.

Looks like warm temps the next few days.

Keep doing the snow dance!

Filed Under: Avalanche Gulch, Mount Shasta, Mt. Shasta, Snow

Snow Is Coming!!!

November 3, 2011 By Robin 1 Comment

ALERT-GATE IS CLOSED AT BUNNY FLAT

Snow is here!!!

Sand Flat Loop 11-06-2011

Doing some kickin and gliding. Good for cross-country skiing.

It’s time to start thinking about WINTER FUN!

Check out Mt. Shasta Fun Guide Winter Newsletter~

http://us1.campaign-archive1.com/?u=94deaceadd9423f5ecc47d5e3&id=8210c79525

Green Butte Ridge Last November

Pull out all your gear, dust it off and get ready!

Practicing Avalanche Transceiver

Winter Awareness Clinic Dates for Winter 2011/2012 now available!

Sign up now and get 10% off Thanksgiving Special!

http://mountshastaguide.com/tours-clinics/winter-awareness-clinic/

Gray Fox

I took this shot this past week on my daily walk.

Looks like weather is in the forecast for the next week.

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

Let’s hope for enough snow accumulation to play!

Have a great weekend!

Filed Under: Mt. Shasta

Upper Sacramento River Canyon Tour and more…

October 21, 2011 By Robin Leave a Comment

This past weekend I went on one of Dottie Smith’s Tours~Upper Sacramento River Express. She’s the historian and tour guide for the Shasta County area. It was a great tour of the area and I learned a lot too!

Thanks Dottie!

Dog Creek Bridge

This historic bridge was originally called Harland Miller memorial Bridge, who was a one-time chief of the California Bridge Department. It was completed in 1927 at a cost of $114,985.

Sacramento River and Dog Creek Area

The first gold discovery in the Sacramento River Canyon was made in Dog Creek in 1850 but wasn’t mined or settled until 1855 because of Indian hostilities.

Lower Soda Springs

Springs all along Soda Creek in the Castella area offered many healing properties. This spring is enclosed in a temple located on the Berry Estate Property (it’s private). This was the location to George W. Bailey’s Hotel in 1858 and the Castle Crags Tavern and Resort in 1892, the largest hotel ever built in Shasta County.

Back Side of Castle Crags

Castle Crags area offers lots of history starting with the Indians who referred to it as Abode of the Devil, Castle del Diablo meaning Castle of the Devil by the Spanish, and the Needles by Hudson’s Bay trapper Michel LaFramboise. Great hiking opportunities too!

Happy Hikers, Gray Butte~Mt. Shasta

My friend and her son visiting from Grass Valley this week. We had a great visit.

View of Old Ski Bowl

We’ve been having our Indian Summer this week. Great hiking opportunities in our area. Looks like weather into the 70′s this weekend dropping into the 60′s next week.

Have a great weekend!

Filed Under: Canyon, Mt. Shasta, Old Ski Bowl

Rim of Mud Creek Canyon and…SNOW!

October 4, 2011 By Robin 3 Comments

This past week we finally made it to the rim of Mud Creek Canyon on Mt. Shasta.

Good navigation skills and a bit of cross-country travel leads to this magical place.

Top of Mud Creek Canyon

From here are views of the Konwakiton Glacier and Falls.

Konwakiton Falls

These run usually during the summer and fall months.

Mud Creek Canyon

Mud Creek Canyon is the longest and oldest canyon on Mt. Shasta.

Old Ski Bowl

Tuesday morning I took a hike up the Old Ski Bowl to around 8,500 ft.

With this early start it may be two years in a row we’ll be skiing and saying, “Happy Halloween”

At 8,500 ft...

2-3 inches with a crust on the top. This is a good start.

Happy Fall!

Looks like we could get possible over a foot of snow in the next couple days!

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

and as of today, forecasters are calling for a mostly sunny weekend.

I’ll post as snow conditions accumulate!

Current Conditions for 10-5-2011

Bunny Flat

Wednesday morning before the storm.

County Snow Plow

Thanks as always for doing a great job! Road is plowed to Lower Old Ski Bowl Parking area.

Whoo-hoo!

Earliest ever~ First ski day this season.

I was very cautious. There’s a good foot and half of snow and with that lots of rocks.

It's Snowing!

This is what it’s doing as of Wednesday Oct. 5 at noon.

Filed Under: Konwakiton Glacier, Mount Shasta, Mt. Shasta, Mud Creek, Snow

September Summer is Here!

September 7, 2011 By Robin Leave a Comment

It’s been a late summer on Mt. Shasta. Snow still lingering from 10,000 ft. and higher. Wildflowers are finally starting to peak.

Come and see!

Penstemons, Lupines, Penny Royal...they just keep blooming!

This picture was taken at the saddle of Bunny Flat heading up towards Avalanche Gulch. Mountain Heather and many other flowers are just starting to bloom over at Panther Meadows and South Gate Meadows.

Classic Car Show

Labor Day Weekend was the Classic Car Weekend here in Mt. Shasta.

Interesting History in this picture...keep reading~

The two buildings in the background are the only original buildings since the Sisson Days(1887-1924) when Mt. Shasta Blvd was known as “Whiskey Row”. Every building was a bar or tavern. The Veteran’s Club in this picture is the oldest running bar in Mt. Shasta.

1966 Mustang

There were a lot of great classics in Mt. Shasta last weekend but this sweet 1966 Mustang is the one I wanted to drive home in!

Upper Gray Rocks Lake

Got in a refreshing swimming dip this week with the diva group in this beautiful hidden lake.

Looks like warm temperatures into the weekend.

Great hiking, swimming, bicycling to be found and of course just having FUN!

Filed Under: Gray Rock Lakes, Mt. Shasta, wildflowers

Mt. Eddy Hike and Hidden Valley Hike on Mt. Shasta

August 12, 2011 By Robin Leave a Comment

We’ve had beautiful weather here in the North State with temps hanging around the 80′s.

Wildflowers Galore

I did another hike up to Mt. Eddy last Sunday with Yoko from Japan.

We hit it just right for the wildflowers. This is a good weekend to check them out!

Enjoying the Scenery

I had a great time hiking with Yoko.

We made it to the top of Mt. Eddy with little wind and spectacular views.

Reflection

Another fantastic day of hiking!

Hidden Valley

Friday morning a friend and I took a hike into Hidden Valley on Mt. Shasta. The path to Hidden Valley is flagged with wands all the way and is snow free. Water is running and most campsites are melted out. West Face route is still looking good for climbing.

Shastina

Still lots of snow heading up the col to climb Shastina.

Crampons and Ice-Axe are a good idea.

Wildflowers blooming

The wildflowers on the mountain are just started to bloom with Lupines, Penny Royal, Scarlet Gilia and more…

Time to get out and enjoy the great outdoors and have a great weekend!

By the way…

Check out my presentation~

Mount Shasta Adventures and book signing at the Sacramento REI, Wednesday, August 17, 7:00 p.m.

http://www.rei.com/event/27617/session/34010

Filed Under: Hidden Valley, Mt. Eddy, Mt. Shasta, Shastina

What…Still Snow on Mt. Shasta’s Highway!

July 14, 2011 By Robin Leave a Comment

What’s going on with the snow melt on the road to the old Ski Bowl???

Everitt Memorial Hwy

It looks like the road is clear past the gate at Bunny Flat. Well…looks are deceiving. I decided to ride my bike up the road and only got a little over a mile before reaching snow. Still lots of snow! It may be awhile yet before the road opens to the Old Ski Bowl.

Bunny Flat Meadows

Snow has melted but still snow up Avalanche Gulch and beyond.

Climbing Conditions are still in great shape-

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

don Jose Ruiz Group

I had a great time guiding this past weekend with this group.

The Art of Toltec Dreaming-Bring your authentic self to life, freedom and truth.

http://www.miguelruiz.com/

Pacific Star Flower

Looks like the weather is getting better for the weekend.

Lots of great places to hike and see the wildflowers starting to pop out.

Have a great weekend!

Filed Under: Mount Shasta, Mt. Shasta, wildflowers

Fourth of July Weekend!

June 30, 2011 By Robin Leave a Comment

This week we’ve had some crazy weather.

Major rainfall to very warm temperatures. Looks like beautiful weather for this weekend.

This is the biggest holiday weekend here in Mt. Shasta.

Happy 4th of July!

It all started back in 1888 with the first parade. Today over 5,000 people come from all over to participate in the events offered over the weekend. Here’s the list of events-

http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=mgh86ncab&et=1106323031526&s=1602&e=001a6VExbTvdkl4I3VFL-IclU7KA2Ec19nW6uKOALCDUaLaT_f6_abp9jNwLAB9QQyf57yR9NcM-wE_QtnT3Z00XH8r2yrEEBauGIHlhWis2qXwI4z5V5zWhsUD0emfy943keDsWy0O7j7MgEohZ9Ha1ORqwc17nE4yqTyBjKeqPI8=

I would like to thank Sunrise Mountain Sports in Livermore, CA. and Lawrence Livermore Laboratories for inviting me down and presenting my slide show “Mount Shasta Adventures”.

In Action

Giving a motivational talk on Wellness and the Outdoors!

and of course…

Current conditions on Mt. Shasta

Avalanche Gulch

Took this picture earlier in the week before the significant amount of rainfall. Snowfall was at around 11,000 ft.

Still snow at Bunny Flat heading up the gulch. Looks like with the warmer temps this weekend, snowpack will consolidate with this last storm. Take caution of possible avalanche activity with the rain fall and rock fall. The heavy rain on the snow pack actually weakens the snow pack increasing the chances of avalanche activity and possible slides.

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

Have a fun and safe 4th of July Weekend!

Filed Under: Mount Shasta, Mt. Shasta

Mt. Shasta Summer Conditions

June 24, 2011 By Robin Leave a Comment

Summer is finally here!

Bunny Flat Trail Head 6,950 ft.

We still have lots of snow. With these warm temps, it’s melting and beginning to sun cup down low.

Higher on the mountain…

Avalanche Gulch 8,000 ft.

Conditions are sweet!

Timing is everything. Skinned up to Helen Lake Friday Morning. Skied down at 11:00. Perfect corn coming down and then the mash potato mush. From treeline, the boot path up the gulch makes for a great ski back down. Stay in the tracks and zoom down.

Climbers on top of Redbanks

I took this picture from Helen Lake. No wind. Looks like it’s going to be a great climbing weekend.

Top of Broadway 9,400 ft.

For those of you wondering, Sunbowl and Powder Bowl are still skiable (probably not for long) and Green Butte Proper via Sargent’s Ridge Climb still doable. The upper section of the climb is spotty and will take some route finding.