Mt. Shasta California

One of the really nice things about Mt. Shasta is that you can drive up to a little less than the 8,000 ft level. From there you have numerous paths to follow up and over the mountain. Early one morning Tom suggested we try to climb up to an old abandoned ski resort which was located around 9,000 feet. My Dad expressed an interest in going with us so we figured we take a nice easy morning hike up the side of this mountain. Little did we know my father is part mountain goat!

Connor also wanted to go but we figured it would be to difficult for him. =)


The hike started off fairly easy but as we climbed higher the terrain became somewhat foreign and rather difficult. I didn't realize how "sandy" the top of a mountain could be.




As you can see the paths were not clearly defined so after much debate we ended up taking what we later figured was a goat trail.




When we reached the abandoned (and avalanche demolished) ski resort, Tom and I called it quits. The high altitude and our sheer exhaustion had finally caught up to us. My Dad, on the other hand, decided he wanted to hike up over to the next ridge so he could look over it. So there he went...Can you see him on top of the ridge?




What a wonderful experience. Being surrounded by so much beauty is such a privilege and can be quite moving. You really feel like you are on top of the world up there.