Avalanche Gulch / Green Butte Ridge / Casaval Ridge

These observations are from the past two days of Climbing Ranger patrols on the Southside of Mount Shasta including Avalanche Gulch, the Old Ski Bowl, Green Butte Ridge, and Casaval Ridge. Snow surfaces on all aspects up to 10,000 feet warmed and softened by noon. Above 10,000 feet, moderate to strong northwest wind kept surfaces firm and icy. Below 10,000 feet, snow surfaces were smooth with boot penetration measuring two to six inches deep with a firm supportable base underneath. With above average temperatures and sunny skies, ridges on Mount Shasta are melting out quickly as they shed a winters worth of rime ice. There is still several feet of snow at the Bunny Flat Trailhead and coverage for skiing back to your car is reliable. The Alpine Hut at Horse Camp owned by the Sierra Club is still snowed in with no access to running spring water or toilet facilities. Please be prepared to pack-out all of your human waste by beyond the Bunny Flat trailhead. You may bring your own pack-out bags or use the ones provided by the USFS at the trialhead kiosk.