May 3, 2004, Mt. Shasta

It's been four and a half weeks of spring skiing and this is our last day of this trip. It's sunny and windless again. It's going to be challenging to return to the clouds of the Northwest. We spent the night along the access road which enabled us to get to the trailhead early. While we were putting on our boots, two SUV's parked next to us and the 6 Germans who were skiing at Virginia Lakes area in the Eastern Sierras 2 weeks ago unloaded and were on the trail within 5 minutes. We started at the Bunny Flats parking area at 6900 feet. The surface was still frozen but we could see the ruts from the previous days skiers and a couple wide tracks from the snowboarders. We took the standard route to the Sierra Club's Horse Camp at 7900 feet. We then turned northwest and wrapped to Giddy Giddy Gulch and topped out at the high point at 9500 feet above Hidden Valley. Above us was Cascade Gulch that curved 3000 feet to the col between Shastina and Shasta.

The snow was softening and Jill and I decided to enjoy the corn. The first 1500 vertical was firm with 1" of cream. Unfortunately, the snow turned to mush and the final descent was a slush cup to the parking lot. It was really deserted on the mountain - the advantage of a Monday tour. There is plenty of coverage on the south and west routes. It will be good to get back home and take a long hot shower and sleep in our bed. It's been a great trip.