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Mount Shasta Wilderness Trailhead Update

Climbing Route(s): Whitney Glacier, Bolam/Whitney Ridge, Bolam Glacier, Hotlum/Bolam Ridge, Hotlum Glacier, Hotlum/Wintun Snowfield, Wintun Glacier, Wintun Ridge, Clear Creek
Trailhead(s): Brewer Creek, Clear Creek, Northgate, Ski Bowl
Region: 
Mt. Shasta
Date/Time of Observation: 
Tuesday, April 13, 2021 - 1:30pm
Position: 
Climbing Ranger

General Conditions

Trailhead Access: Except Bunny Flat, all summit passes, wilderness permits and human waste packout bags must be attained at the McCloud or Mt. Shasta Ranger Stations (self-issue) or at The Fifth Season in Mt. Shasta.

Northgate: 3.4 miles of snow covered roads to the trailhead. One can drive 5.6 miles up Military Pass road as of 4.13.21. The last .5 miles has patchy snow and 4x4 with clearance is recommended.  Snow level is approximately 5,800 feet.

Brewer Creek: One lane of Military Pass has been plowed past Pilgrim Creek Snow-Park for 4 miles. One can drive another 0.5 miles past that with patchy snow, leaving 16 miles of snow covered roads to the trailhead.

Clear Creek: 5.8 miles of snow covered roads to the trailhead. One can drive 2.2 miles from the Pilgrim Creek road intersection as of 4.13.21.  Patchy snow exist from the intersection and 4x4 with clearance is recommended.  Snow level is approximately 4,200 feet.

Bunny Flat: Open year round. Self-issue summit passes ($25 for 3 days), wilderness permits and human waste packout bags are available at the trailhead. Annual passes at The 5th Season in town.

Sand Flat/Old Ski Bowl: 3 miles of snow covered road past Bunny Flat to the trailhead. Get permits/passes/packout bags at Bunny Flat.

South Fork  HW 26:  One can drive 6.5 miles from the Forest Service boundary up HW 26 (South Fork Road). This is 0.25 miles past the bridge to the Gray Rock Lakes trailhead. Patchy snow starts 0.5 miles before the Gray Rock bridge. 

Photographs

  • North side of Mount Shasta from intersection of Military Pass and 97
  • Patchy snow exist after the Intersection of Military Pass and Northgate road (42N16) on 4.13.2020
  • Looking uphill, 5.6 miles from 97, turned around here. Soft snow, poor traction even for 4x4
  • Can drive to here for Northgate trailhead
  • Can drive to here for Northgate trailhead
  • Looking uphill, 2.2 miles from the Pilgrim Creek road intersection for Clear Creek as of 4.13.21. Turned around here. Soft snow, poor traction even for 4x4
  • Can drive to here for Clear Creek trailhead
  • Looking uphill, 4.5 miles from the Pilgrim Creek Snow-Park for Brewer Creek as of 4.13.21. Turned around here. Soft snow, poor traction even for 4x4
  • Can drive to here for Brewer Creek trailhead
  • Can drive to here for Brewer Creek trailhead
  • Looking uphill, 6.5 miles from the Forest Service boundary up HW 26 (South Fork Road) as of 4.13.2021