Mt. Shasta Wilderness
Mt. Shasta is a popular destination for a wide spectrum of visitors. Some come for the challenge of climbing to the mountain’s summit, some are spiritual seekers drawn to the mountain, and some come for the floral displays of meadows or sweeping panoramas of vista points. This web site will provide the potential visitor with basic information about recreational opportunities, facilities, areas of interest, and other things to know before planning their visit.
For year-round up to date information on the conditions on Mount Shasta, please visit the Mount Shasta Avalanche Center.
Mt. Shasta's upper slopes are designated as the Mt. Shasta Wilderness. The United States Congress designated the Mt. Shasta Wilderness in 1984 and it now has a total of 36,981 acres. Mt. Shasta is a snow and glacier capped volcano that rises 14,179 feet, dominating the view in all directions. On a clear day, the mountain can be seen from the floor of the Central Valley over 100 miles to the south. Mt. Shasta is the highest peak on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, second highest peak in the Cascades, and fifth highest in the state. It has an estimated volume of 85 cubic miles, which makes it the most voluminous volcano in the Cascade Range. This magnificent mountain has been a focal point of history, science, art, literature and mythology of the region. Long before settlers arrived, Mount Shasta was a important place in the lives and mythologies of Native Americans. Then in the early 1800's, it guided explorers, fur trappers, gold seekers and settlers traveling trails to California and Oregon. The mountain has attracted the attention of poets, authors and presidents.
Although the last documented eruption occurred in 1786, geologists classify Shasta as an active volcano. There are seven glaciers that drape the mountain's slopes and their outstanding views attract many human visitors armed with crampons and ice axes. No trails lead up Mount Shasta, but trails provide access to the Wilderness and the foot of the mountain. The Avalanche Gulch Route (six miles) is considered the easiest, but the elevation gain is over 7,000 feet, and at least 8 to 12 hours should be allotted for the round-trip. The glaciers are cracked by crevasses and are more visible in late summer and fall. On the south slopes, rockfall becomes a danger after midsummer. Major storms off the Pacific Ocean can send high winds and snow across the mountain any time of year. Sound preparation is a must.
Active Alerts
General Information
Standard Mt. Shasta Summit Pass: $25 per person above 10,000 feet on Mt. Shasta. Valid up to 3 days from the date of purchase. (A Shasta-Trinity Annual Pass can be substituted for this standard pass). People under 16 years of age are not required to purchase a Summit Pass.
Mt. Shasta Annual Pass: $30 per year, is valid for the calendar year (to December 31). For visitors who anticipate frequent visits, or plan on staying for several days, this pass provides an affordable and convenient alternative to purchasing multiple summit passes.
Horse Camp: $5 per tent, per night. The Sierra Club Foundation's facilities are open to the public and include campsites, seasonal fresh water, emergency shelter, Leave No Trace information, and a composting toilet. Donations help Foundation staff to continue a more than 80 year-old tradition of stewardship and service on Mt. Shasta.
Private gatherings are allowed, such as friends in meditation groups or ceremonial circles, etc. As long as there are less than 75 participants, you do not need to have a Special Use Permit. These gatherings must be of a non-commercial nature and not tied to, or an active part of, any commercial workshop or enterprise occurring elsewhere, such as in one of the surrounding communities. When a service is being provided, there is a question of liability, and that is the primary protection that a Special Use Permit offers participants. Another area of question concerns events that are advertised in the media, on the internet, or posted. These may appear commercial in nature and could be investigated. If you are a participant in a Mt. Shasta event taking place on the mountain or elsewhere on National Forest land, you should ask questions of the promoter to ensure your safety and legality.
Getting There
Elevation
14162
Directions
From the Mt. Shasta Ranger Station, head east on Alma Street (towards the mountain). Cross the railroad tracks and turn right at the signal onto Mt. Shasta Blvd. Continue two blocks to the next signal at Lake Street and turn left. Stay on Lake Street. You will climb a hill and veer to the left. You are now on Everitt Memorial Highway. Stay on this road through the four way stop, past the school (on the right) and over the railroad tracks. You will leave town and begin driving up the mountain. In 12 miles, you will arrive at Bunny Flat Trailhead.
Travel Considerations
The primary access road for Mt. Shasta is the Everitt Memorial Highway, a continuation of Lake Street in the town of Mt. Shasta. Lake Street is also the central exit for Mt. Shasta City (Exit 738). From Interstate 5, take Lake Street east (toward the mountain). You will drive through the business district of Mt. Shasta City before the road climbs a hill and changes names to Everitt Memorial Highway, also signed as county road A-10. The Everitt Memorial Highway ascends the south side of the mountain, starting at 3500 feet in town and terminating at timberline near 8,000 feet.
Mt. Shasta is administered by the Shasta-Trinity National Forest headquartered in the city of Redding, California. There is no visitor center on the mountain itself. The local Ranger Station and visitor information is located in the town of Mt. Shasta at 204 West Alma Street. There is no entry station or entry fee, and there are no parking fees or passes at his time.
Facilities on the mountain are limited. There is n
Facility and Amenity Information
Restrooms
Restrooms are not available at this site.
Water
Potable water is not available at this site.
Recreation Opportunities
Day Hikes Info
Horse Camp
Distance / Time required: 3.4 miles roundtrip / 3 hours
Elevation at trailhead: 6900 feet with 1000 foot elevation gain
Season: Year-round. Skis or snowshoes may be necessary from November through June.
Permits: A free Wilderness Permit is required and can be self-issued at the Bunny Flat trailhead self-issue permit station.
Dogs: Not permitted due to wilderness regulations.
Directions to trail access at Bunny Flat Trailhead: From the Mt. Shasta Ranger Station, head east on Alma Street (toward the Mountain). Cross the railroad tracks and turn right at the signal onto Mt. Shasta Blvd. Continue two blocks to the next signal at Lake Street and turn left. Stay on Lake Street as you climb a hill and veer left. You are now on Everitt Memorial Highway. In 12 miles you will come to a parking area with a restroom on the left. This is Bunny Flat. The trail to Horse Camp begins on the right side of the restroom.
Trail description: This is the most popular day hike on Mt. Shasta and is the access trail to the Avalanche Gulch climbing route. The trail ascends gradually through a forest of Shasta Red Fir and Lodgepole pine to the Shasta Alpine Lodge (Horse Camp) a historic stone cabin at timberline that is owned by the Sierra Club Foundation. OUT OF RESPECT TO OTHER VISITORS AND NATIVE WILDLIFE, NO DOGS ARE ALLOWED ON SIERRA CLUB FOUNDATION PROPERTY. During the summer months there is a spring at the cabin for drinking water and a caretaker on hand to answer questions.
Panther Meadows
Distance / Time required: 1.0 miles roundtrip / 1 hour
Elevation at trailhead: 7725 feet with minorelevation gain
Season: Late June (July or August on heavy snow pack years) to late October
Permits: A Wilderness Permit is not required; however there are special rules and regulations for Panther Meadows. Group size is limited to 8 persons in a party; seasonal access may be restricted during the wet period before the trails are dry enough to allow foot traffic.
Dogs: Not permitted anywhere in the meadows except the Gray Butte trail.
Directions to trail access at the Lower Ski Bowl parking lot: From Bunny Flat (see directions above) continue up the Everitt Memorial Highway for another 2.2 miles to the parking lot on the left (west) side of the highway. This is the Lower Ski Bowl parking lot and the best access for visiting Panther Meadow.
Trail description: From the parking area on the west side of the highway, head east to the signed entry point for Panther Meadow. Take a few moments to read the information board for helpful hints as to how you may best enjoy the meadows without causing unnecessary human impact. The short and easy trail heads south a ways before veering east toward the Upper Panther Meadow. Watch for the fork in the trail. The left fork goes to the Upper Meadow and source spring; the right fork descends to the Lower Meadow alongside the cascades of Panther Creek. Notable trees in the area include Lodgepole Pine, Mountain Hemlock, Shasta Red Fir, and Whitebark Pine on the ridges above. Please respect the area around the source spring, as this is considered a sacred site. The rock walls around the spring were constructed to preserve the banks from damage caused by visitors filling up water bottles and getting in the water. Please do not fill up water bottles or place any objects in the spring itself; instead there is an access point about 10 feet below the spring.
South Gate Meadows
Distance / Time required: 4.0 miles roundtrip / 2 hours
Elevation at trailhead: 7850 feet with an 800 foot elevation gain (400 feet each way)
Season: Late June (July or August on heavy snow pack years) to late October
Permits: A free Wilderness Permit is required and can be self-issued at the Old Ski Bowl trailhead self-issue permit station. Take the green copy with you and leave the white copy in the book.
Dogs: Not permitted due to wilderness regulations.
Directions to trail access at Old Ski Bowl trailhead: From Bunny Flat (see directions above) continue up the Everitt Memorial Highway for another 2.4 miles to the end of the road and the uppermost parking area.
Trail description: The trail begins at the site of the now-removed Shasta Ski Lodge, near timberline on the mountain. From the parking lot, the trail heads east, ascending 400 feet up over a divide. It then descends past Hummingbird Meadow another 400 feet to the base of Red Butte. At the trail intersection, signed “South Gate Meadows,” turn left (northeast) and continue through “The Gate”, a gap between Red Butte and the toe of Sargents Ridge. There are some stately Whitebark Pines that guard “The Gate.” In a short distance, the trail starts to descend. Watch for a fork in the trail. The left fork leads to the middle of three meadows; the right fork descends to the lowest meadow. Be sure to return the same way you came as many folks seem to get lost by taking the wrong trail at the intersection below Red Butte.
Special note about South Gate Meadows: When you leave the Old Ski Bowl and cross over the divide, you enter into the Mt. Shasta Wilderness. There are rules and regulations for wilderness use you need to be aware of:
- Group size is limited to 10 persons or less. CFR 261.58(f)
- Camping is limited to 7 nights within a 30-day period beginning with the first night of occupancy. Camping is not allowed within 100 feet (50 paces) of springs, streams, and trails. CFR 261.58(a)
- Good Sanitation. Visitors are required to pack out their human body waste (feces), garbage and food waste, and properly dispose of it in receptacles provided at trailheads. (In this case Bunny flat.) Urinate at least 100 feet from springs, streams, trails, and camp locations. CFR 261.11(d)
- Wood fires are prohibited. Firewood is scarce at high elevations. Wood fires scar the landscape and dead and down wood is crucial to soil regeneration in alpine environments. Portable stoves, which use gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid, are allowed. CFR 261.52(a)
- Dogs are prohibited in the wilderness. Dogs have the potential to disturb wildlife, destroy fragile vegetation, and affect other visitor’s experience. CFR 261.53(e)
- Personal equipment may not be left unattended longer than 24 hours. CFR 261.57(f)
Gray Butte
Distance / Time required: 4.0 miles roundtrip / 2 hours
Elevation at trailhead: 7500 feetwith a 600 foot elevation gain
Season: Late June (July or August on heavy snow pack years) to late October.
Permits: A Wilderness Permit is not required.
Dogs: Permitted only on Gray Butte trail. Dogs must be leashed while crossing Lower Panther Meadow.
Directions to trail access at Panther Meadows Campground: From Bunny Flat (see directions above) continue up the Everitt Memorial Highway for another 1.7 miles. Turn right at the campground sign and park in the campground parking area.
Trail description: This trail heads east from the Panther Meadows Campground and crosses through Lower Panther Meadow and on up through a stand of old-growth Shasta Red Fir to a fork in the trail. The right fork ascends the east slope of Gray Butte through a pure stand of Mountain Hemlock trees. Eventually the trail reaches a saddle between the lower peak of Gray Butte (radio tower site) and the higher peak. The view from the saddle is excellent, but following the faint trail the rest of the way up the higher peak provides a more rewarding panorama.
Old Ski Bowl
Distance / Time required: Variable
Elevation at trailhead: 7850 feet
Season: Late June (July or August on heavy snow pack years) to late October.
Permits:
Dogs: Allowed anywhere within the Old Ski Bowl. The ridgelines of the bowl define the Wilderness area where dogs are prohibited.
Directions to trail access at Old Ski Bowl trailhead: From Bunny Flat (see directions above) continue up the Everitt Memorial Highway for another 2.4 miles to the end of the road and the uppermost parking area.
Trail description: The “trails” in the Old Ski Bowl are actually old service roads that were used when the Shasta Ski Area was operating. An avalanche damaged the Green Butte ski lift in the late 70’s, and the ski facilities were eventually removed. If you follow the “main” dirt road up to the 9500 foot elevation, you can see some of the remaining ruins of the old ski facilities. Another popular hike is to start up the bowl but then veer off to the west and ascend Green Butte for a nice panorama that only takes a few hours and involves an elevation gain of about 1300 feet.
Special note about the Old Ski Bowl: The uppermost parking lot is reserved for day use only and is closed from midnight to 6 am. This insures that there will be parking available for day hikers and visitors. The lower lot is used for day use and overnight parking for folks who are backpacking into the Mt. Shasta Wilderness.
Viewing SceneryViewing Scenery Info
Panther Meadows
The road to Panther Meadows and the Old Ski Bowl is open each year from July 1st through October 31st. The remainder of the year it is closed at Bunny Flat to motor vehicles but visitors on foot are welcome.
Old Ski Bowl
The Old Ski Bowl trailhead is the highest point you can drive on Mt. Shasta, terminating at timberline near 8,000 feet. The panoramic view includes Mount Eddy to the west, Lake Siskiyou and the Forks of the Sacramento River to the southwest, Castle Crags to the south, with the Trinity Alps on the distant horizon.
There are two parking areas for the Ski Bowl. The first one is the Lower Lot, which is on the right (west) side of the highway, and the Upper Lot which is a little higher and at the very end of the road. Parking restrictions are different for the two lots.
The Lower Lot is used primarily by people who are visiting Upper Panther Meadow where the source spring is located. Simply park and walk to the east end of the lot where you will see the access trail and information board. It is an easy half mile walk to the spring. The Lower Lot is also used by people who are backpacking into the Mt. Shasta Wilderness. They can leave their vehicle parked for up to 7 nights, which is the maximum stay in the wilderness. Backpackers are required to park in the Lower Lot to help ensure that there will be adequate parking at the Upper Lot for day visitors.
Parking is a bit limited at the Upper Lot and large vehicles may have a difficult time getting turned around. Although overnight parking is not allowed, people who want to enjoy the night views are welcome till midnight; hours of restriction are midnight to 6 am.
There are no parking fees at any of the trailheads on Mt. Shasta, including the Old Ski Bowl. There are no facilities at the Old Ski Bowl other than a few picnic tables. The nearest toilets are located at Bunny Flat, two miles down the road. Large events and lots of vehicles create congestion and traffic hazards. The parking lots will quickly fill up and overflow onto road shoulders and turnouts. There will be more foot traffic on the roadway; please use extra caution!
South Gate Meadows
These are a series of three meadows located about two miles east of the Old Ski Bowl. For directions on how to get there, please refer to the hiking section above. Similar to Panther Meadows, these meadows are comprised of Mountain Heather and Alpine Laurel, and therefore are just as susceptible to impact from people walking off trail. Also, when choosing a place to sit, please use rocks or open areas outside of the meadows. With the extra pressure of high visitation to Panther Meadows, it is anticipated that South Gate will receive a lot more use this year. Visitors need to remember that this is a wilderness area with special rules and regulations, as outlined in the hiking section. Please set up all overnight camps as far from the meadow, springs, and streams as possible, even farther than the 100 feet allowed. This will not only help protect the water quality and meadows, but will reduce the visual impact for other visitors in this high use area. Remember, unlike many other wilderness areas, fires and dogs are not allowed anywhere within the Mt. Shasta Wilderness, including South Gate Meadows.
Ascension Rock
In the Red Fir Flat Group Camp there is a rock formation that is locally known as “Ascension Rock”. There have been an increasing number of people asking about this site and access to it since it is inside the group camp. This rock formation is actually not the real Ascension Rock. The "real" Ascension Rock is the high point on the ridge just south of the day use parking area just inside the entrance to Red Fir Flat. However, people who have reserved Red Fir Flat for camping cannot obstruct visitors from using the area during daytime hours, including the "Ascension Rock" in the campground. Since Red Fir Flat is commonly used as a spiritual retreat, please show respect for all parties concerned and avoid excessive noise and large groups.
MiscellaneousMiscellaneous Info
Groups and Weddings
If you are considering marriage on the Mountain, here’s what you need to know:
As with all group events taking place on National Forest lands, you will need to obtain a Special Use Permit in advance if your group size is more than 75 people. The reason a permit is needed is to ensure responsibility in providing for the needs of your group, such as providing adequate shade, water, sanitation (portable restrooms), and removal of all refuse and equipment after the event. There may be additional requirements specified in the permit. There is no fee for the permit, but due to the processing time involved, please make your request as far in advance as possible. Contact the Ranger Station at 530-926-4511.
If your group size is less than 75 people, you do not need a permit, but you should still consider the needs of your guests.
Wedding locations on the mountain are a bit limited. There are no permanent facilities except the toilets at the campgrounds and Bunny Flat. There is no piped water; you must bring your own. Sites cannot be specifically reserved; all areas on the mountain are open to the public. Due to the rules and regulations at Panther Meadows (especially group size limitations) the meadow area and campground is not a viable location. The open area at the top of the Everitt Memorial Highway, where the old ski lodge was located, has lots of room, open vistas, and easy access; however this area is heavily used by other visitors. Privacy and parking may be a concern. Nearest toilet facilities are at Bunny Flat.
Bunny Flat has the convenience of toilet facilities and plenty of parking, and has a nice view of the upper mountain, but is also heavily used by hikers and climbers since it is the primary trailhead on Mt. Shasta.
Red Fir Flat Group Camp is another option for smaller wedding parties. There is a toilet available but parking may be limited. It is a nice forest setting but has no view of the mountain. Although a permit is not necessary to use this site during the day, overnight use or camping does require a permit. Please check with the Ranger Station for availability, as other groups may already have this site reserved.
Another good option for wedding groups, especially larger groups, is Sand Flat. This area is located one mile off the Everitt Highway, has beautiful views of the mountain, shaded by Shasta Red Firs, is more secluded than the areas mentioned above, and therefore has a more natural feel to it. Drawbacks include access via dirt roads that are a bit rough for some vehicles and the sandy ash soils in Sand Flat, as elsewhere on the mountain, can be dusty when winds are blowing or other vehicle traffic is in the area.
Time of year is also a factor for weddings on Mt. Shasta. On wet years, the upper part of the mountain, including Sand Flat and the Old Ski Bowl, can be under snow until July or even August. On dry years these areas may be fine as early as mid-June. It is also not unusual to get our first significant snows by the beginning of October. As a general rule, late July through early August is usually the best time, although afternoon thunderstorms can occur.
