TR: Shastarama Ski (16 June 2012)
(Last Updated On: July 20, 2012)
The morning after our Shasta ski, Kim and I began leisurely packing up camp, knowing the day would be an off-day. Our next destination was the volcano Lassen, which was more-or-less on the way to San Francisco where Kim had to be the next night. But, before we left Shasta for good, we decided to check out the rest of the Everitt Memorial Highway, which went further up the south side of Shasta. The highway was named after a supervisor of the local National Forest that perished fighting a forest fire on Shasta in 1934. The section above Bunny Flat had just opened to the public while we were skiing the previous day. So, up we went, and here is what we found.
We were able to drive almost all the way up to the top of the Old Ski Bowl road before running into snow. The area is named as such after a ski area that operated in the bowl between 1958 and 1978. Already undergoing financial difficulties, the ski area was forced to close after an avalanche destroyed the ski lift. Nevertheless, it is obvious that the area is a haven for skiing.
Kim and I spent some time picking out lines we should and would ski if we’d had more time. But, it was time to move on.
As we relaxed in a coffee shop in Shasta City, Kim began researching possible campsites for us. During her research, she stumbled across some information pointing to limited access on Lassen. A phone call to the National Park Service confirmed our fears – the volcano was closed. We could go 1.3 miles up the trail, but could not summit the peak. The volcano was closed for restoration (more on this later) and had JUST closed that day! So, our skiing plans quickly switched gears. After hashing out a few options, we decided it was best to stay right where we were and ski one of the lines near the Old Ski Bowl.
So, we decided to do some sightseeing in the area. We went to the City Park, home of the headwaters of the Sacramento River.
The water emerges from an underground spring which takes about 50 years to filter through from Mount Shasta. Here Kim is filling her water bottle with the fresh and yummy spring water.
From there we went for a swim in lake Siskiyou.
And then we headed back to set up camp.
Another night under the stars 🙂
We arrived fairly early in the morning to Old Ski Bowl again, intending to ski the couloir off Shastarama point, the obvious ski line on the right side of this photo.
With the snow line level with the parking lot, we began skinning nearly right away.
A view of the Old Ski Bowl, hidden from view while in the parking lot below.
As we approached the couloir, we switched from skins to crampons. We opted for helmets in spite of the heat, to help guard against potential rock fall.
The view from Shastarama Point was fabulous.
From the top of the couloir, we were still about 3000-feet short of the summit. We caught a good glimpse of the east face and Sargent’s Ridge.
Lake Siskiyou in the distance.
Kim chuged a Red Bull so that she could have wings to fly down the hill 🙂
Me anticipating the impending goodness below.
There are no words to describe the skiing. It was as good as corn gets. Kim.
Me.
The smile says it all 🙂
Here’s the helmet cam footage for the day!
ShastaramaSki from 14erskiers on Vimeo.
Thanks to Kim for joining me on two of the best ski days ever!
Links to Other Reports from this Trip:
Volcano-Bound!
From SLC to Shasta
Shasta Ski (14 June 2012)
Shastarama Ski (16 June 2012)
Lassen Peak – Closing a Volcano
Oregon Days Off
Mount Hood (19 June 2012)
Mount Adams (20 June 2012)
Mt. St. Helens (21 June 2012)
From the Gorge to Craters
- Mount Buckskin (17 May 2020) - May 28, 2020
- Horseshoe Ski (14 May 2020) – The mountain whose journey nearly killed me - May 27, 2020
- Sayres X-Rated Ski (10 May 2020) - May 19, 2020
What an incredible trip you guys are having. Shastarama looks good on any day, I’m sure but with it getting to 103 degrees here in GA today…. it looks like heaven.