Mount ShastaAbout Mount Shasta
Mount Shasta is a large stratovolcano in northern California rising to about 4,322 meters (14,179 feet). It is a dominant feature of the Cascade Range and a focal point for regional outdoor recreation and spiritual traditions.
Recreation on the mountain includes summer ascents to the summit, ski mountaineering, and backcountry access; trailheads and guide services operate from towns on the mountain’s flanks. The mountain’s glaciers and high slopes attract climbers during the summer window when objective hazards are reduced.
Shasta is a Holocene volcanic edifice with a history of eruptive activity during the last several thousand years and remains classed as potentially active. The surrounding area has long-standing communities and developed access infrastructure that support tourism and climbing.
It is located in Siskiyou County in northern California, with the town of Mount Shasta and other small communities providing the usual access points.
- Elevation: Standing at about 4,322 meters (14,179 feet), it is one of the highest volcanoes in the Cascade Range and a prominent landmark in northern California.
- Climbing: The mountain supports multiple standard climbing routes that are non-technical in summer but require glacier travel and route-finding to reach the summit.
What to See#
- Summit complex and glaciers: The main summit complex includes subsidiary peaks and extensive glacier systems that are targets for mountaineers and backcountry skiers.
Best Time to Visit Mount Shasta
Best visited from late spring through summer when snowpack has diminished and routes are most accessible for hiking and climbing.
Weather & Climate near Mount Shasta
Mount Shasta's climate is classified as Tundra - Tundra climate with cold summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in April). Temperatures range from -15°C to 10°C. Heavy rainfall (2280 mm/year), wettest in December.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -9° - -2° | -13° | 337 mm | - | - | 7.1 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -11° - -3° | -15° | 284 mm | - | - | 5.9 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | -14° - -7° | -18° | 270 mm | - | - | 5.3 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | -15° - -7° | -18° | 172 mm | - | - | 4.9 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | -12° - -4° | -14° | 111 mm | - | - | 4.8 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | -8° - 1° | -9° | 75 mm | - | - | 4.6 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | -3° - 8° | -2° | 40 mm | - | - | 4.4 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | -1° - 10° | 1° | 58 mm | - | - | 4.4 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | -2° - 8° | -1° | 79 mm | - | - | 4.9 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | -5° - 4° | -6° | 160 mm | - | - | 5.8 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | -9° - -1° | -12° | 334 mm | - | - | 6.6 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -10° - -1° | -13° | 360 mm | - | - | 7.1 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Mount Shasta
Mount Shasta is accessed from Interstate 5 in northern California; take the exit for the town of Mount Shasta or nearby exits to reach trailhead access roads. The town of Mount Shasta lies at the mountain’s base and provides services and local roads to common trailheads and parking areas; from those trailheads you proceed on foot into the mountain’s hiking and climbing routes. For safety and seasonal road conditions consult local ranger stations or visitor information before driving to remote trailheads.
Tips for Visiting Mount Shasta
- Use Bunny Flat (Everitt Memorial Highway) as the main trailhead for summit attempts and for most maintained trails; it's the primary access point for the popular Avalanche Gulch route.
- Start very early (pre-dawn) if you want to avoid crowds on the standard routes and to get the most stable morning weather for higher-altitude travel during summer.
- If you prefer quieter viewpoints rather than the summit push, explore trails around McCloud River and the Hidden Valley/Worm Bowl areas-these see fewer hikers but still offer excellent perspectives on the mountain.