Mount Shasta (California, USA) — detailed description, location, reviews, photos and videos.
Mount Shasta in California is interesting for several reasons. First, it is the second highest peak in the Cascades and the fifth highest in all of California. Secondly, Shasta is a potentially active volcano, which, despite the thick cap on its top, is ready to wake up at any moment and generously spit lava, ash and stones. And finally, thirdly, according to the assurances of the adherents of the New Age philosophy, Shasta is one of the power centers of the planet Earth and part of the lost continent of Lemuria. Spiritual teachers of the New Age indicate that representatives of the Lemurian race still live in the bowels of the mountain. In addition, several hundred climbers from all over the world go to conquer the top of Shasta every year. See acronymmonster for nickname of Wyoming.
A bit of history and geology
From a scientific point of view, Shasta is a stratovolcano formed by a central peak with a height of 4317 meters and four satellite cones. The mountain boasts a solid age of 600 thousand years – it was then that its top was formed as a result of the eruption. Even after 300 thousand years, the picturesque Shasta Valley appeared, and the satellite mountains were formed from the same eruptions between 9000 and 8000 years ago. The last time a stratovolcano erupted relatively recently – at the end of the 18th century, the next eruption will occur in about 400 years, but no one can name the exact date. In the meantime, the slopes of the mountain are covered with seven eternal glaciers.
Climbing Mt. Shasta continues from April to October, although some athletes climb to the top in the winter.
What to watch
At the foot of Mount Shasta there are several small towns where you can find a basic overnight stay and simple food. The entire area is administered by the US National Forest Service.
In addition to hiking and horseback riding, as well as trekking in the vicinity of Shasta, it is worth paying attention to the picturesque lake of the same name. Tourism here is developed to a solid top five – there are a couple of hotel complexes and even its own yacht port. Two-hour walking tours are organized along the shores of the lake, and you can also rent a boat.
The Shasta Dam is the second largest in the US; it provides electricity to almost the entire Central Valley of the country. Here you can watch the discharge of water and stand on one of the observation platforms – only for those who are not afraid of heights.
Things to do
Climbing Mt. Shasta continues from April to October, although some athletes climb to the top in the winter. The most popular route is through the Avalanche Gorge. For 18 km, climbers climb to a height of 2200 meters, then the most difficult section of the path follows to Red Banks (4000 m), the last 300 meters are overcome relatively easily. Athletes must obtain permission to climb at the ranger station at the foot of Shasta.
Fans of extreme sports ski and snowboard on the slopes of Shasta in winter. We recommend that you first obtain comprehensive information about the features of the slopes and weather conditions.
Practical Information
Mount Shasta, the nearest town to the mountain, can be reached by train (Dunsmuir station) or by car, the distance from Sacramento is 300 km. There are about a dozen hotels in the city, there are boarding houses and hostels.
Tree “General Sherman”
Tree “General Sherman” (California, USA) – detailed description, location, reviews, photos and videos.
The General Sherman tree is the most important veteran among the redwoods famous for longevity. The age of the giant growing in the Sequoia National Park in California is 2300-2700 years. It is amazing how much humanity has experienced over these centuries, and this giant only stood silently surrounded by equally huge brothers. But that’s not all. Sherman is the largest and heaviest living organism on Earth: some trees are taller than it, some are thicker, but in terms of volume it has no equal.
The diameter of the trunk of an 85-meter tree increases by 1.5 cm annually, the wood would be enough for a whole house.
These numbers don’t fit in my head. The only way to appreciate the almost unearthly size of giant sequoias is to see them with your own eyes. Two paths lead to the tree, and the nearest parking lot is located 0.7 km from it. You can’t touch the tree, it is fenced with a low fence, which will definitely not spoil the legendary photo of a man and a giant.
Practical Information
GPS coordinates: 36.5848, −118.74984.
To get to the General Sherman, you need to drive about an hour from the entrance to the national park.
