Avalanche forecast

Mount Shasta

Mount Shasta Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Today avalanches are unlikely but not impossible. Wind-blown snow above treeline yesterday may have created a wind slab problem on leeward slopes. Approach this terrain cautiously with an assessment mindset.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1–1.5

    Winds were consistent out of the N-NW yesterday. Blowing snow was observed loading south-facing slopes like Powder Bowl and Sun Bowl. Winds transitioned to the ESE-S-SE overnight. Due to the way winds are influenced by terrain on the mountain, look for signs of wind slabs on all aspects above treeline. Pay particular attention in extreme terrain or on unsupported slopes. Large avalanches are unlikely, though small slides could be possible on steep terrain: Assess the consequences of getting taken off your feet. Test for wind slabs by stomping on wind drifts and roll-overs in safe terrain. 

    Observed wind-loading yesterday morning.

Avalanche Discussion

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.

Avalanche Awareness is tonight, Saturday, January 1st, 2022 at 7:00 p.m.

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

Regions covered