Some good news about all the rough weather we had in early March–the snow pack in the Mount Shasta region is way up from the dismal numbers of earlier in the winter. Here’s the main snow pack info courtesy of the Mount Shasta Herald:
The Fire Management Department of the Shasta McCloud Management Unit collected information from various pre-determined measuring sites around Mt. Shasta, including Horsecamp at 7900 feet, Sand Flat at 6700 feet, Sweetwater at 5850 feet, and Parks Creek at 6700 feet. An average of 66.4 feet of snow was measured, compared to only 18.8 inches last month. The historical average of snowpack in these same areas is 80.9 inches, with equivalent water content at 30.3 inches, putting the current snowpack at 82% of historical average, and water content at 83.8%.
On the Klamath National Forest, results of March measurements were similar, with a snowpack depth of 81% and a water content of 74% of historical averages.
Here’s hoping we have a wet April and May. We need the water for so many reasons, but specifically speaking as a hiker, I want smoke-free skies, lush vegetation, and full mountain lakes.
