Avalanche forecast

Mount Shasta

Mount Shasta Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Triggering an avalanche today is unlikely. However, a strong weather system approaching our region tonight will elevate avalanche danger for tomorrow. Heavy snowfall and very strong winds are expected on Monday with temperatures rising throughout the storm. Avalanche danger could become high Monday afternoon into Tuesday, especially if rain follows heavy snow.

Avalanche Discussion

December was an active weather month for Mount Shasta and the surrounding mountains. A barrage of storms deposited several feet of snow to the area with sustained cold temperatures. A freezing fog event on 12/28 deposited a rime crust of varying thickness on most aspects and elevations. Strong NW winds on 12/30 and 12/31 created variable surface conditions near and above treeline and formed wind slabs. Some small natural avalanche activity occured during this wind event. Warm temperatures on 1/1 settled out and bonded these wind slabs and wetted the snow surface below treeline and on sunny aspects. Very few avalanches have been observed so far this season in the Mount Shasta forecast area. The snowpack is generally well-bonded, right side up, and absent of weak layers at this time.

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The Everitt Memorial Highway & Castle Lake roads are OPEN. Chains are REQUIRED. 

A friendly reminder that DOGS are NOT ALLOWED within the Mt. Shasta Wilderness area or Sierra Club Foundation lands. Places OK to take your dog include: Old Ski Bowl, any of the sno-parks, Castle Lake and anywhere else on national forest land, just not in the MS Wilderness area. Thank you.

Pilgrim Creek & Deer Mountain Sno-Parks are in great shape for snowmobiling and/or cross-country skiing. The bathrooms and warming huts are open, parking is easy and plentiful. Remember to take the Esperanza road to access Pilgrim Creek. Many trails within the Tri-Forest system have been groomed. It's cold and the trails are in awesome shape. Let the fun run wild.

Sand Flat Winter Cross-Country ski/snowshoe trails are in good shape. Enjoy the quiet splendor of Mt. Shasta on miles of un-groomed, classic cross-country ski trails. Snowshoe users, be sure to maintain a different track. Please do not walk in the ski track and alternatively, skiers, please don't ski in the snowshoe track.

Companion Rescue: Sunday, January 2nd, 2022 at 9:00 a.m.

Regions covered