Clear Creek Route to Mount Shasta Summit

There are several routes up Mount Shasta. But Clear Creek stands out in a few ways. It is the least technical route - even less so than the more popular Avalanche Gulch. But at the same time, it is longer and has a greater elevation gain. Also, it is widely considered the most scenic route up Shasta. At the same time, this hike is not to be taken lightly. Although it is mostly on well-worn use trails, this hike is roughly 7 miles one way and gains a formidable 7700ft in the process. This hike demands that you be in decent shape, and can easily turn dangerous in bad weather. Also, when there is snow on the ground, an ice axe and crampons are required to safely climb the mountain. However, late in the season, this climb will be done mostly on-trail. For this reason (and for safety reasons), Clear Creek becomes a more popular climbing route late in the season after the snow has melted on the Avalanche Gulch Route. The trail starts out at the Clear Creek Trailhead on the southeastern side of the mountain. At the start, you must fill out a wilderness permit and get a summit pass. The summit pass is required for climbing above 10000ft, and can be purchased at the trailhead for $25. This pass lasts three days. You can also get a season pass for $30, but this must be purchased from a ranger station. Initially an officially maintained trail, the climb is a rather gentle one. The trail starts out in a dense fir forest which slowly thins as the trail gains elevation. At places, you come close to the edge of Mud Creek Canyon and get great views of the canyon itself as well as Mount Shasta itself. Eventually, this trail arcs to the left as you near the springs which feed Clear Creek. Clear Creek Springs are also the last reliable source of water on this hike. Beyond this point, all water must be obtained from melting snow. Also, the general area around the springs is a popular camping area for those who wish to make this a multi-day trip. But camping is not allowed in the environmentally fragile areas directly at the springs. Also, there are suitable campsites available from here up to about 11000ft on the mountain, depending on how willing backpackers are to haul their gear up the mountain. Beyond Clear Creek Springs, the REAL climbing begins, as you are now climbing the actual cone of Mount Shasta. Also, the springs are where the maintained trail ends and the use trails begin. The use trails tend to form a web or sorts. But as long as you head UP, you won’t get lost. Just look for the rather visible Red Rock higher up on the mountain, and head in that general direction. For the most part, taking the most well-used path will be easiest. And when you get above 11000ft, taking the right-most option will work best for ascent. This puts you on a nice, well-established path that switchbacks up the mountain while climbing at a very manageable rate. Eventually, you will come to Red Rock. Many people stop here to rest. Above Red Rock, things get a little dicey as you reach the headwall at around 13200ft. You have a few choices here. You can climb the rocks. This can get a little dicey, as many of the rocks are rather loose. You can go far to the right and climb in the vicinity of the Wintun Glacier. Or you can go more or less straight up through a somewhat sandy chute. This last option seems to be the most popular, and looks to be coming fairly well established. Once atop the headwall at about 13500, the summit starts to look quite close. However, the trail is still somewhat steep for a while as it climbs up Misery Hill. At the top of Misery Hill, you pass around the left side of the summit pinnacle as you join the climbing route up Avalanche Gulch. The trail then makes a few switchbacks as it passes the sulfur springs and climbs the summit pinnacle. Before you know it, you have made it to the summit. Hang out for a little while. Take some pictures of the views as well as yourself at the summit. Explore the area. And sign the register. You have just climbed one of California’s greatest mountains. When you feel like it, head down the way you came up. Be sure to head to the left toward the Clear Creek Route rather than going straight toward Avalanche Gulch. Otherwise, it will be a long walk to your car. Also, below Red Rock, you CAN go down the way you came up. But plunge stepping down the steeper trails straight down is often faster than taking the switchbacks.