Mazamas — For the Love of Mountains
This route ascend the Clear Creek drainage directly to the summit shoulder. There is little difficulty or danger here, except during avalanche conditions; route finding is very straightforward. Early season ascents and ski descents are popular.
This route can be completed car to car in one day, but overnight trips are more pleasant.
Activity Notes
Clear Creek is relatively uncrowded route compare to others. It is generally moderate - same class as south side of Hood. There is a bit more travel over scree and loose rock than Hood. The major factors are weather (high winds) and altitude (14,000 feet).
This climb requires a long drive on Friday after (6 hours, 350 miles) - you need to leave early afternoon on June 14th. We will overnight at a motel in Weed.
Meet at Ranger station in Shasta City on Saturday June 15th. Drive to trailhead, near McCloud on the mountain's southeast. If conditions permit, we will be able to park right at the trailhead (6500 feet). Hike in 4 miles in around 4-5 hours to camp at 9500 feet.
Sunday June 16, do the climb. This should take 12+ hours and we will leave at first light.
Monday June 17th, hike out to cars and drive home, arriving early to mid evening.
| Other Information | |
|---|---|
| Driving Distance from Portland | 375 miles |
| Driving Time from Portland | 6 hours |
| General Route Info | from summitpost https://www.summitpost.org/clear-creek/157378 Clear Creek is the standard route on the southeast face of Mount Shasta, though it remains far overshadowed by the heavily populated Avalanche Gulch route on the southwest side of the mountain. Clear Creek remains an excellent alternative to the latter as it hosts outstanding views, alpine meadows, deep Mud Creek Canyon, and it is far less populated than most of the routes leading out of Bunny Flat. This route is actually the least technical on the mountain, having a gentler slope than Avalanche Gulch for almost the entire ascent. Despite the easier terrain, however, beginning climbers flock to Avalanche Gulch out of habit, year-round access (Clear Creek is inaccessible in winter and early spring), and the easier drive to the trailhead (although the dirt road to Clear Creek is navigable by most any car and the total distance is only 12 miles further than Bunny Flat if coming from the south on Interstate 5). The route conditions vary considerably as the season progresses, ranging from nearly complete snow coverage from the trailhead to trails through scree for the entire route up the mountain. Parties climb it in all conditions, it just depends on your preferences. Very late in the season as fall approaches Clear Creek can even be the more popular alternative to Avalanche Gluch… following the correct use trails is fairly solid, the route isn’t subject to the late season rockfall that Avalanche Gulch has, and descending through the scree is much easier than the talus that appears on other routes. In mid to late season running water is available at Clear Creek Meadows, and there are comfortable camp locations ranging from 8300 feet to over 9900 feet on the route. Weather: https://www.mountain-forecast.com/peaks/Mount-Shasta/forecasts/4317 Snow depth: http://www.nohrsc.noaa.gov/interactive/html/map.html |
| Expected Duration | Car to car in two or more days |
| Relevant Books | Climbing the Cascade Volcanoes by Jeff Smoot The Mt. Shasta Book by Selters and Zanger |
| Relevant Maps | USGS 7 minute series, Mount Shasta Google map https://goo.gl/maps/9CNvVh3G8A22 |
| Awards Qualified | 16 Major NW Peaks |
| Useful Links | GPS Track GPS Coordinates Map |
