July and August 1998
On July third we took Bob and Danelle up Everitt Memorial Highway to Bunny Flat, a large open area on the south flank of Mount Shasta at an elevation of 6,850 feet. Though most of the 15-foot snowpack we had traversed in early March had melted away, there was still a couple feet covering the ground and the road beyond Bunny Flat. The gate to that part of the road was still closed.
Click here for photo of Jennie at Bunny Flat in March
When we returned two weeks later with other visitors, the road beyond the flat was dry and all that remained on the ground were small patches of snow. It was amazing how much snow 14 days of cloudless, warm weather can erase. Still, the gate remained closed, barring traffic beyond Bunny Flat, and indicating that there was snow somewhere further up. We could still hope to take the grandchildren sledding when they visited in August.
The first to come was Laura, arriving on August third. We wasted no time getting up on the mountain to look for August snow to play in. We drove up the next day, August fourth. The gate was still locked at Bunny Flat. So, with snowcoaster in hand we set out on foot up the road beyond Bunny Flat. Since there was not a trace of snow in sight, we felt a little silly carrying a snow disc, but it wasn't long before we encountered hikers coming down. They assured us that there was plenty of snow on up the road at a place called Panther Meadow -- about a mile ahead. It was a long, steep, warm hike, but our reward was several acres of snow with just enough incline to make for some good slides. Using warm rocks as tools we scraped together enough of the icy snow to make a miniature snowman. Laura agreed that it was worth the hike to be able to play in the snow in August.
Click here for photo of Laura at Panther Meadow snow
Grandson, Daniel, arrived for his visit on August 10, but we didn't make it up to Bunny Flat until August 15. When we did arrive we found that at last the gate was open. We could drive to Panther Meadow! Alas, when we reached Panther Meadow we found that the snow Laura had coasted on was gone. To find snow we would have to go even higher so we continued up the road to it's end at the old ski bowl. This took us to timberline at an elevation of about 8,000 feet. Even here there was no snow left, but just a little bit higher there were numerous snow fields of various sizes. The sky was vivid alpine blue and the sun dazzling, but the temperature was in the low 70s, perfect for a hike up the rocky slope to the snow banks. When we reach the first one we realized that they were inclined a bit more than the gentle slope at Panther Meadow. But, Dan was willing to give it a try. The first ride was fast and uncontrolled with a jump-off-and-run finish at the rocky edge of the snow field. He gave this field and another even larger one a couple more trys, but we finally concluded that it was just a little too dangerous to continue. So, we took up snowball throwing and again built a mini snowman. After the snow play we hiked up to a small point crowned by a half dozen dwarfed, wind-contorted pines and found it a pleasant place for lunch with a wonderful panaramic view.
Click here for photo of Dan and timberline snow
After lunch we traversed the rocky slope several hundred yards to a wonderful little water fall that braided its way down a jumbled cliff to a large snowbank and then tumbled down the mountian as a little stream. Along the banks of the stream were scores of large white flowers on sturdy, short stalks. We later learned they are anemonies. It was a wonderful, eden-like spot to conclude our quest for August snow.
Click here for photo of the waterfall
