Mount Shasta Set to Reopen Above 10,000 Feet this Week

Following a three-week closure of Mount Shasta above 10,000 feet due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Forest Service officials have announced it will reopen on May 16th.

Due to California’s shelter-in-place mandate, the areas of the Mount Shasta Wilderness were closed to avoid any health concerns associated with people attempting to summit the mountain. Now that the state has entered Phase 2 of the Covid-19 reopening plan, officials announced the mountain will resume normal operations, although Bunny Flat and Northgate are the only open trailheads at this time.

Although the mountain will reopen, officials are pleading with the public to practice responsible social distancing guidelines. A summit pass ($25), wilderness permit and human waste pack out bag are still required to summit the mountain, and rangers will be vigilant in checking. Also remember that a spike in Coronavirus cases in the area could result in another closure.

The closure was enacted on the mountain on April 23rd due to concerns of tourists traveling to the area looking to summit the mighty Mount Shasta. The closure was extended until May 15th, but that’s hopefully as long as it will last. Stay safe and happy climbing!