21 Mount Shasta Facts That Will Blow Your Mind

Mount Shasta is the second-tallest mountain in the Cascade Range.

Undoubtedly, Mount Shasta is an incredibly tall volcano. Its peak reaches an elevation of 14,179 feet. It stands out among other mountains in the Cascade Range.

This mountain is located in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.

In 1954, two of the National Forests in California, the Trinity National Forest and the Shasta National Forest, combined. Today, the Shasta-Trinity National Forest houses Mount Shasta.

There are seven (named) glaciers on Mount Shasta.

There are seven glaciers with names on Mount Shasta, including:

• Whitney
• Bolam
• Hotlum
• Wintun
• Watkins
• Konwakiton
• Mud Creek.

These occupy different areas of the mountain, and they vary in shape and size.

Mount Shasta is a stratovolcano.

A stratovolcano is also known as a composite cone or composite volcano. These are volcanoes comprised of many layers of hardened lava and other geological materials.

Prehistorically, Mount Shasta was involved in one of the largest landslides ever.

Researchers believe that Mount Shasta experienced a partial collapse around 300,000 years ago. Many of the small hills surrounding the base of the mountain are thought to be geological remains from this collapse.

The oldest known human settlement near Mount Shasta is thousands of years old.

Science dates the oldest human habitat around Mount Shasta to around 7,000 years ago. Some of the Indigenous peoples that lived around the mountain during this time include the:

• Shasta
• Okwanuchu
• Modoc
• Achomawi
• Atsugewi
• Karuk
• Klamath
• Wintu
• Yana.

The last known eruption from Mount Shasta was in 1250 AD.

Some historical sources say that Mount Shasta may have erupted in 1786. However, the last known eruption dated using carbon dating was in 1250.

The known first person reached the peak of Mount Shasta in 1854.

Elias Pearce first ascended the mountain in 1854, making him the first known person to reach the peak. A few years later, in 1856, Harriette Eddy, Mary Campbell McCloud, and others in their party became the first women to reach the peak.

The United States Geological Survey rates Mount Shasta as a high-threat volcano.

Mount Shasta has, on average, erupted every 600-800 years. However, in recent decades, the volcano has shown little to no activity.

Mount Shasta is well-known for its lenticular clouds.

These are clouds that create a lens shape around the peak of Mount Shasta. Because of their unique shape and size, they have led many people to believe that aliens may inhabit the mountain.

For many, Mount Shasta is considered sacred.

Mount Shasta is an important spiritual symbol for many cultures throughout the United States.

Mount Shasta is the root or location of much lore.

Aliens aren’t the only lore surrounding Mount Shasta. The volcano has also been known to be connected to spirits, gods, and chakras.

On a clear day, Mount Shasta can be seen from over 100 miles away.

When weather conditions permit, you can see Mount Shasta from 140 miles away from the Central Valley. This is most often seen in winter when there is less cloud coverage than during the summer months.

As of 1839, Mount Shasta was named Rogers Peak.

When it was first discovered by settlers, the name Shasta belonged to another mountain. However, efforts by multiple parties, including the United States Exploring Expedition, gave Mount Shasta its name in 1841.

One of the original trails near the mountain was known as Siskiyou Trail.

The Siskiyou Trail was one of the original, most notable trails passing by Mount Shasta. It followed an ancient trade route.

Interstate 5 replaced the Siskiyou Trail and brings hundreds of people to Mount Shasta each year.

Today, you can no longer visit the original Siskiyou Trail. However, Interstate 5 follows much of the same path.

One ski resort on Mount Shasta received 15.75 feet of snow in a single storm.

This storm occurred in February and lasted around six days.

Many books and poems have been written about Mount Shasta.

This includes poems, historical books, and memoirs. One memoir recounts a blizzard survivor’s experience.

Mount Shasta became a National Natural Landmark in 1976.

The National Natural Landmark Program focuses on raising awareness and conservation of significant sites like Mount Shasta.

The first Euro-American settlements appeared in the area around the time of the American Gold Rush.

This occurred during the 1850s when many eastern settlers moved west in pursuit of gold.

If Mount Shasta did erupt, it would be similar to Mount St. Helens in 1980.

This includes ash that would travel hundreds of miles and likely linger in the sky for days.