Avalanche forecast

Mount Shasta

Mount Shasta Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Heightened avalanche danger continues above treeline. The general westerly wind direction has allowed for wind slab growth on NE-E-SE-S aspects above treeline. If traveling to upper elevations on Mount Shasta, watch for cracking and collapsing on newly wind loaded slopes. Below and near treeline, you're unlikely to trigger an avalanche.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    This problem is focused to NE-E-SE-S aspects above treeline. Cross loading is possible on N and S aspects. Yesterday, northwest wind could be seen transporting snow off of ridge tops above 10,000 feet on Mount Shasta. Gray Butte weather station (~8,000 feet) has recorded mostly calm wind, with light to moderate gusts. Today, wind direction will shift to the southwest with moderate to strong speeds above treeline. The intensity of wind loading could increase with this expected shift. Look for wind loaded snow on steep slopes, in chutes, below ridge lines, and under rock bands. Areas of concern are the Red Banks, Trinity Chutes, upper Mud Creak, and upper Casaval Ridge. If triggered, these slabs could be large enough to bury a person.

Avalanche Discussion

Today's primary avalanche concern continues to be wind slab at upper elevations above treeline. Yesterday's warm weather and direct sunlight assisted in stabilizing the snowpack, restricting any unstable wind loaded snow to elevations above 10,000 feet. That being said, with today's shift in wind direction, keep your eye out for newly wind loaded slopes at lower elevations. Use small test slopes to test for broader instability in an area. Watch for cracking/collapsing, hollow sounding surface snow, and unusually deep snow conditions as signs of a wind loaded slope.

Yesterday, recreators explored all across the south side of Mount Shasta. See observations from: Giddy Giddy Gulch / Promise Land, Sargents Ridge, and Green Butte Ridge. To sum it up, soft snow still exists in shaded areas below and near treeline. Wednesdays storm brought seven to eight inches of new snow, but the northwest wind has already scoured and redistributed that snow on exposed aspects. By mid-afternoon yesterday, solar slopes became sticky and slow. Above treeline, icy surfaces are abundant on ridges and exposed slopes.

Access Updates:

  • OPEN: Everitt Memorial Highway, Snowman's Hill, Mt Shasta Ski Park & Mt Shasta Nordic Center, Pilgrim Creek Sno-Park (motorized use), Deer Mountain Sno-Park (motorized use)
  • CLOSED: Castle Lake road at gate

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