Helen Lake via Avalanche Gulch Climbing Route
7.6 mi
Distance
2 hrs 19 min
Time
terrain
7,169 ft
Elev Gain
Overview
This is a moderate one way trail to Helen Lake in Mount Shasta Wilderness.
This trail goes by Bunny Flat Trailhead, The Heart, Sulphur Springs, Mount Shasta, Misery Hill, and Thumb Rock.
Sights to See
Rate this Hike
★★★★★
Public Tracks
Mt Shasta Avalanch Gulch
Car to summit to car. Snow starts above tree line. Left bunny flat th at 1:40am. No other climbers coming up from the TH. One group started from Helen Lake. Snow was firm the entire climb. Geared up with crampons and ice axe as soon as I hit the steeper snow. Huge sun cups on upper steep slopes. About 6 hrs to red bank and 8 hours to summit. Took off crampons before Misery hill all the way to the summit and regeared my crampons and axe after Misery hill until the very bottom slopes. Arrived on the summit about 9:30am. Wind was kicking in hard on the summit. Couldnt stand very easily on the summit block or walk around the summit without being pushed over by the wind. Snow was still too hard to glissade down without bruising your bum, so had to hike down the main snow slopes in crampons. Not very fun! Bottom slopes under Helen Lake started softening up, but still couldn't do much glissading. Arrived back at the car at 2pm. Not too bad for an off the couch climb. All total, including all the stop time for gearing on and off and snack break, I made the climb and back to my car in 12 hrs and 20 minutes. I was so tired...haha
Mt. Shasta Avalanche Gulch
7,000 ft - 0mi Bunny Flat Trailhead
10,400 ft - 3.5mi Helen Lake Campsite
14,100 ft - 2mi Summit
Mt Shasta Winter Accent
Not exactly the summer trail but a clean route up the gulch for sure
