Mt. Shasta Overview
| Mt. Shasta (via Avalanche Gulch) Details |
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Distance: 5.3 miles to summit (10.6 miles round-trip)
Bunny Flat Trailhead Elevation: 6,940 ft
Summit Elevation: 14,179 ft
Vertical Gain: 7,239 ft
Trip Duration: Long day-hike or 1 night backpacking trip
Difficulty: Strenuous
Route Type: Intermediate mountaineering (crampons, mountain axe, helmet, and self-arrest skills required)
Permit needed: Yes
When to go: May-June
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Where is Mt. Shasta
Mt. Shasta is located in northern California, about 3 hours and 45 minutes north of Sacramento and 1.5 hours north of the town of Redding. It’s an easy, straight shot up the Interstate 5 corridor to the quirky town of Mt. Shasta, and then a 25 minute drive west on County Highway A10 to get to the Bunny Flat trailhead.
Mt. Shasta Trail Guide
Climbing Mt. Shasta was, without a doubt, one of the most fun outdoor experiences I’ve had. We wrote up our experience into a trail guide for anyone interested in climbing Mt. Shasta.
Gadget on the summit of Mt. Shasta!
Preparing to Climb Mt. Shasta
Mt. Shasta is a fun and gorgeous climb, and is great for new mountaineers. To safely climb Mt. Shasta, you will need some basic mountaineering gear (e.g. crampons, mountain axe, and helmet), as well as the knowledge and skills to use that gear. Read more about Mt. Shasta preparation here.
Permits for Mt. Shasta
Permits are required to climb Mt. Shasta, but there are no quotas, lotteries, or advance reservations, making it one of the easiest permit processes we’ve encountered.
Permits cost $25 and are valid for 3 days. You can obtain permits at the trailhead or at the Mt. Shasta Ranger Station 24/7, or at the Fifth Season shop during business hours.
For current permit information, the Forest Service maintains a Mt. Shasta permit webpage with additional information.