Mount Shasta descent
Mount Shasta is a massive, potentially active stratovolcano at the southern end of the Cascade Range in Siskiyou County, California. Standing at 14,179 feet, it is the second-tallest peak in the Cascades behind Mount Rainier and ranks as the most voluminous stratovolcano in the Cascade Volcanic Arc. Constructed over a 600,000-year eruptive history, the mountain features four overlapping volcanic cones and extensive glacial systems within the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. Geologists trace its origin back to an ancient predecessor volcano that suffered a catastrophic collapse 300,000 to 500,000 years ago, creating one of the largest debris avalanches on Earth across the Shasta Valley. While magma last reached the surface around 3,200 years ago, USGS data indicates that Shasta erupts episodically roughly once every 600 to 800 years over the last 10,000 years, with historical accounts even noting possible ash sightings in the late 18th century.
The slopes of Mount Shasta serve as a major destination for high-elevation road riding, featuring one of the most prominent sustained mountain ascents in Northern California. The paved route climbing the mountain is a central feature of regional endurance events, including the annual Mount Shasta Summit Century, which draws riders to the area for its long vertical gain. Due to its combination of high starting elevation, steady grades, and an alpine finish at the Old Ski Bowl, the volcano is frequently utilized as a training ground for ultra-distance events and Western US Gran Fondos.
Region: California
City: McCloud
Distance: 21.18 km
Elevation Gain: 0 m
Elevation Loss: 1230 m
Difficulty: 64 (Easy)
FIETS Index: 0 FIETS
Avg Grade: -5.8 %
Max cat climb: 5
Min elevation: 1158 m
Max elevation: 2386 m
Ride Category: Flat