Mt. Shasta
14,162 ft.

One of the most beautiful of the Cascade Volcanoes, Mt. Shasta rises 14,162' above Northern California. I have climbed both the "standard" Avalanche Gulch Route and Casaval Ridge.

(Click bordered images for larger format.)


 

If you climb Shasta by one of the south side routes, you will probably camp here at Lake Helen which is at 10,400 '. The views are usually spectacular. Guard your food since there are many hungry marmots at Lake Helen.


A view of Casaval Ridge from around the "First Window". The route runs to the left of the ridge crest. We got caught in a huge spring snowstorm on our first attempt on the ridge and had to do what is quite common on volcano climbs... retreat!