You are here

Above Treeline on Mount Shasta

Location Name: 
Mount Shasta
Region: 
Mt. Shasta
Date and time of observation: 
Fri, 03/08/2019 - 2:30pm
Observation made by: 
Forecaster

Location Map

96067 Mount Shasta , CA
United States
41° 23' 35.6028" N, 122° 12' 19.2204" W
California US

Snowpack Observations

Details

Our first mostly clear day with a lot of above treeline traffic in the form of randonee and cross-country skiers and snomobilers testing intrepid lines in the Old Ski Bowl. Many good observations came in and one thing prevailed: stable snow. Wednesdays weak storm slab layer within recent storm snow continues to settle out and stability tests have become progressively harder to initiate failure, if any at all. The widespread crust that the storm snow rests atop dissipates at 8,500 feet. Above treeline at upper elevations, very deep isothermal snow with a stable stucture exists. Snow surfaces are smooth and supportable on skis. Boot penetration however is calf to knee deep. Climbers will need snowshoes or skis. Post-holing will be a problem on steeper slopes where snowshoes/skis are not effective. A few fairly recent natural avalanches were observed, estimated to have occurred on Wednesday, March 6th. (See photos) Two D2 slides came off the east aspect of Green Butte, down into the Old Ski Bowl. A larger D3 came off the W/SW aspect Sargents Ridge and down into Avalanche Gulch, above Helen Lake. 

Wind affect has been minimal and no blowing snow was observed. The sun was out in full force at times on southerly facing slopes, but air temperatures stayed chilly. The high temp at 8,000 feet was 25 degrees at noon. Wind speed averaged 8 mi/hr out of the W/NW.  A few dense banks of clouds and what looked like snow flurries attempted to crowd the clear day, but were short lived.

Below 7,200 feet, and a thick, semi-firm, 1 finger/pencil-near surface crust has formed. Still supportable on skis, breakable by foot/snowmobile. Below treeline, <5,800 feet, rain runnels and marshmallow snow surfaces dominate from rain on snow this past week.

Overall, good sking and riding conditions were found today.

Photos

  • Sargents Ridge from approx. 12,000 feet in Avalanche Gulch - Photo; J Koster
  • Old wind slab on W/SW facing aspect of Sargents Ridge - Photo: J Koster
  • The northwest facing side of Gray Butte. Very little wind effect near and above treeline. Photo: N Meyers
  • Old wind slab on easterly aspect of Green Butte, estimated occurrence 3.6.19
  • The upper mountain from the Old Ski Bowl
  • The epic snowbanks of Bunny Flat, a tourist attraction in and of themselves

Weather Observations

Details

  • Mostly clear
  • Wind: calm to light - W/NW  / Blowing snow: no
  • Temp: High 25 F @ 1200 hrs
  • Precip: none

Statistics

Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Blowing Snow: 
No
Precipitation: 
None
Accumulation rate: 
None
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Air temperature trend: 
Cooling
Wind Speed: 
Calm
Wind Direction: 
Northwest