This is a shot looking down into the valley below from the 10,000 foot summit. Mt. Shasta is about 50 miles away from Redding, California in a volcanic sort of desert. It's peak reaches a little over 14,000 feet and you can drive up to 9,000 feet (notice the winding road leading up the mountain) where you need to get out to walk the rest of the way. This site used to be a big ski area, but an avalanche a while back took out the ski lift and left all these boulders you see scattered about. About 10,000 years ago Mt. Shasta was an active volcano at which time it blew its top and it has been dormant since. There are several small glaciers scattered around that stay around all year. The valley below averages 100 degrees in the summer, but the air is pretty thin up at the top and the 50 degree change in temperature means we have to bring sweatshirts along whenever we visit. If you ever get a chance, you need to check it out, it is beautiful. If you think about it, it is half of the size of Everest. Check this next shot out: This is a shot looking up at the peak.