SummitPost.org

This is a pretty odd question considering that its summitpost, however!

Whats the easiest glacier to get to on Shasta? Elevation/Distance wise. It looks like Whitney glacier as thats the biggest/longest, and the best way to get there is from north gate trailhead. Is this correct?

PS. Not looking for places to train or anything like that, just simply to be near/get on the glacier! Thanks

If you go up from NGT you will have two glaciers on both sides of the ridge/trail right there, Hotlum and Bolum. You would have to traverse west from the ridge to get to Whitney Glacier. The other options to get to Whitney Glacier, if you insist on that one, would be 1) to go through Hidden Valley (Cascade Gulch route) starting at Bunny Flat or 2) to go from Bolum Trailhead (a long approach).

What clmbr said.

Actually Whitney is the most difficult of the 4 large glaciers to get to. Bolam perhaps the easiest. If you head towards the Chicago glacier there is some features to look at from the North Gate trailhead.

If you can stand the dusty drive to Brewer Creek TH, you will have access to the best glacier features on the mountain at Hotlum Glacier. Can walk right up the toe to an icefall within site of camp. Much easier than trying to access Whitney from Bolam TH!

BTW- Whitney is the longest, but Hotlum is the biggest.

Sweet guys- appreciate the tips! Thanks.

Dust doesn't bother my jeep so that sounds pretty sweet!

Well, seeing as you have a jeep, you should head here:
http://www.earnyourturns.com/11545/shas ... tte-falls/
Excellent access to the Bolam Glacier.
Awesome drive with a Jeep!
Have fun.

That looks awesome, any idea how long it took you from camp to hit the base of the glacier? Not worrying about the summit and wanting an easy jaunt up to a glacier being my goal, starting at a higher elevation is helpful ^^

I think it was around 2-3 hours.