The mountain draws many people for many different reasons. The winter months draw skiers from all over Northern California. The summer months draw tourists who love to explore the small towns nestled beneath Mt. Shasta such as Dunsmuir, Mc Cloud, Mt. Shasta and Weed. The young and fit gather their gear and arrange to hike the mountain, some as far as the top. Most serious climbers make it to the top and return to boast about the beautiful views as they perch on the summit. A few return because of altitude sickness, sore muscles, and most serious of all, storms. Climbers have died when a storm has overtaken them and they were ill prepared. 14,179 feet is serious climbing. Huge boulders have been known to break loose and come tumbling down the trail leaving climbers to scurry out of the way.
If you aren’t young and fit anymore, there is another way to explore the mountain. You can actually drive up and around Mt. Shasta. If you drive out highway 97, there is a historical marker called Military Pass. It was actually used by the pioneers as they came across the West to settle in Oregon and Northern California. You will need an SUV or a sturdy pickup. The time to go is from May until October. This road takes you on the lower areas of the mountain and you can drive all the way to Mc Cloud in about 2 hours depending on how often you stop to admire glaciers, lava flows, and miles of hemlock, pine, and fir forests. It is really quite remarkable. Take a picnic lunch and just enjoy.
There is a shorter trip that begins in Mt. Shasta City. It is called the Everitt Memorial Highway. It winds its way up Mt. Shasta to the old ski bowl that closed in the late 1970’s because of high winds that blew down the lifts. As you travel up the road the trees become huge in both circumference and height. When you reach the end of the road, you will see incredible views with Mt. Lassen in the distance.
Take your camera on these trips. You won’t be disappointed.
If you aren’t young and fit anymore, there is another way to explore the mountain. You can actually drive up and around Mt. Shasta. If you drive out highway 97, there is a historical marker called Military Pass. It was actually used by the pioneers as they came across the West to settle in Oregon and Northern California. You will need an SUV or a sturdy pickup. The time to go is from May until October. This road takes you on the lower areas of the mountain and you can drive all the way to Mc Cloud in about 2 hours depending on how often you stop to admire glaciers, lava flows, and miles of hemlock, pine, and fir forests. It is really quite remarkable. Take a picnic lunch and just enjoy.
There is a shorter trip that begins in Mt. Shasta City. It is called the Everitt Memorial Highway. It winds its way up Mt. Shasta to the old ski bowl that closed in the late 1970’s because of high winds that blew down the lifts. As you travel up the road the trees become huge in both circumference and height. When you reach the end of the road, you will see incredible views with Mt. Lassen in the distance.
Take your camera on these trips. You won’t be disappointed.
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