Snowy Bear Peak, overlooked and forgotten.
Soaring 14,179 feet above sea level, Mount Shasta is one of the tallest peaks in California and the 2nd highest peak in the entire Cascade Range, which stretches from Northern California to just across Washington’s border with Canada. However, in the region around Mount Shasta none of the peaks are even close in height. This is why famed western poet Joaquin Miller described the mountain as “lone as God and white as a winter moon”. It truly has no peer among the other peaks.
As far as the tallest peaks around Mount Shasta, there seems to be a ceiling on their height. Not counting subordinate peaks on Mount Shasta itself, only Mount Eddy exceeds 9,000 feet (and only just barely, climbing to 9,025 feet). Of the rest of the highest peaks in the area, they all exceed 8,000 feet. They are:
China Mountain (8,542)
Whaleback (8,528)
Ash Creek Butte (8378)
Goosenest (8,280)
More about these peaks can be read here.
This leads us to Bear Peak. Unrecognized, unofficially named and officially ignored and forgotten, it is the only other peak in the Mount Shasta area to exceed 8,000 feet (other than Mount Shasta and Mount Eddy’s subordinate peaks on their respective massifs). Rising to a height of 8,001 feet, it is the only other summit in the region that breaks the 8,000 foot ceiling. Though a few peaks come close to that significant marker, all but Bear Peak fall short. This elevates this otherwise humble summit it much more rarified company.
Bear Peak is located along the crest of the Trinity Divide, just south of Mount Eddy. It is the apex of the divide that separates the North Fork of the Sacramento River from the Middle Fork of the Sacramento River. The north side of the peak is the headwaters of Bear Creek, a significant early tributary of the Trinity River.
Bear Peak seen from the Cement Bluff.
Although it is among the tallest peaks in the region, Bear Peak is not particularly prominent compared to its near neighbors. It’s southern aspect, which rises above Toad Lake, is not particularly impressive. However, the eastern and northern faces offer much more interest, consisting of shear cliffs of bare rock rising above the surrounding forest. The northern aspect is particularly pleasing, with some nice crags protruding from the mountain’s flanks.
Bear Creek saddle offers a good perspective on Bear Peak.
Geologically, Bear Peak is consistent with much of the Eddy Range. It is composed of peridotite and serpentine similar to Mount Eddy. As with much of the Klamath Mountains, the rock type can shift dramatically in quick order and this is the case with Bear Peak. The nearby ridge, the high point of which is only 16 feet lower than Bear Peak, is composed of granitic rock. These shifts in composition are sudden and offer a fascinating glimpse into the geologic forces that have made these mountains.
Mount Shasta viewed from the PCT, just below Bear Peak.
The best access for Bear Peak is from the PCT, which traverses the flanks of the peak a few hundred feet below the summit. The quickest way to connect to the trail is via Toad Lake, where a short climb up from the lake on a well made trail leads to the PCT. From there it is a quick mile or so to the eastern should, which is the best point to ascend the summit.
Aside from the Mount Eddy massif, Bear Peak is the highest point in the Eddy Range. It’s anonymity is probably due to its like of prominence, its lack of proximity to regularly used trailheads (the PCT section between Toad Lake and Deadfall Lakes is usually the domain of backpackers, not hikers) and its position at the west end of long ridge that separates the Middle and North Forks of the Sacramento River. This ridge has a tendency to visually obscure Bear Peak. This means the peak is hard to see from the bottom of the Strawberry Valley. From higher up on Mount Shasta, the peak is more obvious to observers.
Bear Peak, in center with snow, is visible from Bull Lake.
Despite lacking prominence, Bear Peak is much more obvious from the west. This is due in large measure to the other peaks of the Eddy Range (other than Mount Eddy itself) being located well east of the range’s crest. Bear Peak’s height also means it retains snow further into the summer than most of the other peaks of the Eddy Range.
Sunset view of Mount Eddy, Bear Peak and the Eddy Range from Mount Shasta.
Bear Peak may not be a dramatic peak or a summit that is widely visible from throughout the area like the other mountains that exceed 8,000 feet. However, its height, position on the Trinity Divide/Eddy Range and its geologic composition make it an interesting one nonetheless. Whether looking for grand sweeping vistas or the tagging of high points, it is a peak that should not be overlooked by the few hikers who head into that lonely but beautiful area.