Are you looking for current Tahoe National Forest snow conditions? If so, please visit the main Tahoe National Forest website to look for information and to find phone numbers. The discussion below is from a previous winter, although some of the links are still useful.
Tahoe National Forest Snow Conditions, 2010
In the Mount Shasta area we still have snow above about 6000 feet, a bit lower on a few north-facing slopes.
And the Tahoe area also received a lot of the white stuff this winter and spring. Here are details from a press release about snow pack at Tahoe National Forest locations:
Winters snows remain in the Sierra Nevada. See below for some recent snow measurements within the Tahoe National Forest. Also, when traveling through the mountains, be sure to be prepared for snowy weather and changing conditions. Always carry chains, extra food, blankets and emergency supplies in case you get delayed or stranded. Visit the sites below for the most recent weather and snow conditions. Enjoy your spring travels, but please be safe.
Snow Report
- Yuba Pass SnoPark (6701′) — 2-3 feet
- Chapman Creek (6,000′) — 4 feet
- Diablo Campground (5800′) — 3-4 feet
- Central Sierra Snow Lab Norden, CA (6883′) — 27.6 inches
- Packsaddle Campground (5900′) — 5 feet
- Snag Lake Campground (6600′) — 2-6 feet
Road Information
* Forest road information can be found in the Recreational Activities for each District Ranger Station.
Before any trip into high elevations during snow conditions, please visit:
* Sierra Avalanche Center (www.sierraavalanchecenter.org/advisory)
* NWS Forecast for this area
CalTrans Highway Conditions
- Interstate 80 (www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/i80)
- State Route 89 (www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/sr89)
- State Route 49 (www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/sr49)
- State Route 20 (www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/sr20)
Looks like much of the northern Sierra Nevada mountains will not be snow-free until July. Dang!
I’ve been hiking lower-elevation trails in and around Castle Crags Wilderness and Castle Crags State Park. I hope to get into the lower reaches of the Trinity Divide Mountains soon.
How is the high-mountain snow affecting your summer hiking plans? Where are you hiking instead?
Yep, the weather is ever changing there. Be prepared for all conditions hot and cold.
I got a taste of this late snow season in Yosemite last month. The first day we arrived it felt like winter. Back at my local Southern California hikes, I still see some snow in the higher elevations.
Thanks for the high Sierras update.
Ken, it’s going to be one of those summers. This is what El Nino does to northern California. At least Lake Shasta is full for the first time in years.
Okay – I hear that there is ton’s of snow. We are staying in Red Bluffs (June 11-13 for a vacation and planned on hiking in Lassen, which I find is barely open for any real fun and long hikes. Any ideas of hikes up in this area that we could do? I am interested in a up to 2000 ft elev gain and 4-5 hour hike. Hiking up some mountain would be ideal and we had our sights set on Lassen peak, but its snow covered.
Any help would be appreciated
Bill, you can do low-elevation hiking on the Mill Creek Trail upstream from Black Rock campground.
But your best bet may be the Spencer Meadow National Recreation Trail on the Almanor Ranger District. It leaves from Highway 36 just east of Child’s Meadow and goes up to 6,600 feet over six-plus miles. If you encounter a lot of snow near the end you can just turn around.
It’s Hike 32 in my 75 Hikes Shasta-Lassen book (see upper portion of right column).
Thanks a bunch. I’ll look into that. I also like Castle Crags and the Whiskeytown area. Appreciate your help
Bill, you’re welcome.
Castle Crags and Whiskeytown are definitely snow free. I’ve been in Castle Crags the last two weekends.
John,
Thanks for your recommendation. We just got back and went to Castle Crags. It was very nice and strenuous. I have a wife and two young girls. Me and one of my girls made it to the base of the crags, the other two got scared off by a couple of bears and headed back for the car about mid way up. The views of shasta are amazing up there. We also took the indian springs trail and that was nice as well. The only issue we had was the one way road going to the trail head. I had to back up about 50 feet onetime on the way out to allow someone to pass and that was a bit scary. We’re alive though!!!
Bill, I’m glad you all had a good time. Bears can show up anywhere; so far I’ve had no problems with ’em.
The one-way road can be a drag if you happen to get caught.
Hi,
My husband and I were planning on doing some day hikes up in El Dorado National Forest in the areas near Kirkwood this weekend. After skiing at Kirkwood for several seasons, we’re anxious to experience the area in summer, but now the late season snow is throwing a bit of a wrench in our plans! How’s the snow line up there these days? Any ideas for great hikes with some good views or secluded lakes that won’t entail hiking through snow the entire time?
Thanks!
Karen
Karen, I live in the Mount Shasta area, so I don’t personally know what’s happening around Lake Tahoe. I suggest you call the ranger district of the areas you want to hike and ask what the trail and access road conditions are like.
It’s not high-country hiking season in far northern California where I am, that’s for sure.