Temperatures have been nearing or breaking record highs. The daytime high reached 55 ºF yesterday on Mount Shasta. West winds averaged 15 mi/hr and gusted up to 31. We lost another 1.7 inches of snow putting the height of snow at 48.7 inches.
The best snow surfaces for sliding, riding, and climbing will be in gullies. Moraines and ridges are devoid of snow until 10,000 ft. Above, skiers and climbers have found good conditions below the Red Banks.
For climbers, rockfall is being observed in Avalanche Gulch. Wear a helmet and start early if making a summit attempt.
We have lost close to 6 inches of snow in the last 3 days. It will be increasingly difficult to find continuous snow out of Bunny Flat up into Avalanche Gulch.
Sand Flat trails still have usable snow for cross country skiing and snow shoeing.
The ice on Castle Lake is not usable. It is weak and melted around the edges. The trail to Heart Lake is still covered in snow and provides the only access to Middle Peak for skiers looking for one last hurrah in that zone
You can now drive to within 1.5 miles of the North Gate trailhead, but a high-clearance 4x4 is recommended. Clear Creek and Brewer Creek trailheads still have 7-13 miles of snow on them. A view of the north side is below.
The Tri-Forest Snowmobile Trails are melted out enough to make the riding hard on the body and machines and is not recommended. Grooming operations have ceased.
Today will bring mostly sunny conditions with some high level scattered clouds forming around the mountain. Daytime highs will be above 50 at mid-elevations. South to west winds will be light below treeline, but could be strong to gale force in exposed areas above.