The day started in smoky Ashland for an 8:00 AM departure to Mt. Shasta. Smoke from wildfires accompanied us all the way down to our turnoff at Shasta City. But as we drove up the Everitt Memorial Highway to the 7,500' TH at the Lower Panther Meadows Campground the smoke was left behind and Shasta stood out under blue skies.
We were doing a new hike for the Monday group, from Panther Meadows to Southgate Meadows. We thought the hike would be 5 miles RT with a 700' gain, but as we explored the numbers turned out to be more.
Lower Panther Meadows was green with snow melt providing the irrigation, and alpine flowers providing the color. On this day, we saw on the trail the "Mophead" seed pods of the white Pasque flowers and then the blooming flowers down at the bottom of the rocky canyon. Also providing color were the blue Penstemons and the yellow Buckwheat, among others.
The first rocky trail rose to take us towards Upper Panther Meadows. But at the top of that climb, we turned left onto a sandy trail that took us out to the Everitt Highway, which we climbed to the Upper Panther Meadow TH at 8,100'. Followed by another rocky climb of perhaps 300' we entered The Gate, which is a long alpine canyon trail that eventually delivers us to the Southgate Meadows, a lush green area with running spring water where we stopped for lunch after 2 1/2 hours of hiking. Some refreshed themselves by soaking their feet in the cold mountain streams, while others refilled their water bottles with the clear spring water. Southgate was a relaxing destination after some intense hiking.
After lunch, we sought out a downslope waterfall from the streams that was hidden in the forest. We got some photos and rejoined the group on the trail back to Panther Meadows.
After another 2 1/2 hours of hiking, we returned to the Lower Panther Meadows TH having done 6 miles RT with 1,100' of gain. It was an adventurous and fulfilling day! We welcomed back Sunny and welcomed George who was joining the group as a new AHG member.
Weary and parched we headed into Shasta City for refreshments at Yak's.
Happy Trials, Rich