So I've been meaning to tackle Shasta and understand that doing it while there is still snow helps in the assent. I'm probably going to do the Avalanche Gulch route.

So is late May or early June too early for Shasta? Is a ice axe needed that early in the season?

Any other advice about doing Shasta?


Alternately, I was thinking of doing the Tahoe desolation wilderness around that time, but again am worried that there would still be too much snow. Mostly following the PCT from the south.