Sierra Buttes

I was eager to explore a new area of the Sierras.  Looking up the peaks near Hwy 89 north of Truckee Sierra Buttes jumped out as a superb looking peak.  I headed up Hwy 89 to Sierra City and weaved uphill on a dirt round above town until I couldn't drive any farther.

I started up the 4wd road which weaved its way to the west side of the peak.  After about 45 minutes I hit lots of snow and snowshoes were a must.  I trudged uphill into the storm clouds.  All visibility disappeared and the wind really began wipping around.  It was an exciting summit...with the snow drilling me in the face as I hiked up the west ridge to the summit.  The lookout tower and steps were completely hidden from view.   Very eager to run down off the summit on my snowshoes to get out of the tremendous wind and driving snow!

Red Lake and Stevens Peak

I woke up around 3 a.m. and the wasn't going back to sleep so I decided to make a sunrise ascent of Red Lake Peak.  The snow and darkness were a bit discouraging as going was slow. With my headlamp lighting the way I didn't have much visibility.  The higher I got the colder it got as the wind got stronger and stronger.

I wandered straight up and over snowy ridges as their was no trail to follow this time of year.  Once the clouds dispersed enough I was able to turn off my headlamp.  The full moon led me on.  I continued to climb uphill with my snowshoes sinking into the powder on each step.  A couple of hours of walking in the dark always makes you anxiously await a glimpse of light on the horizon.  When the first color appeared on the horizon I was nearly at 9,500 feet.  I could look down on hundreds of snow-capped peaks in all directions.

I love the feeling of silence and peace in watching the world wake up from a summit.  Obviously a super early start is required, yet the reward is amazing.  From Red Lake Peak I got to see the first beams of light touch the surrounding summits and illumine my surroundings with color.

I stopped, as long as the cold and wind allowed me to, to take in the beauty.  I then continued on my way heading north on the long rolling saddle between Red Lake and Stevens Peak.  The views were spectacular.  Snow blanketed everything in sight, from Desolation to Hope Valley, down towards Yosemite.   10 minutes was about all the wind allowed on Stevens Peak.  I then ran off the backside of the peak through the powder down towards the inviting basin below me.  I strapped on my snowshoes for the remaining miles to make a loop back to Meiss Meadow/Carson Pass.  An awesome adventure with inspiring views.

Mist Trail John Muir Hike

Rainbow under Vernal Falls

Headed out to lead our group to the #1 day hike in Yosemite.  The Mist Trail up to Vernal and Nevada Falls and down the John Muir Trail for spectacular views of the valley.  After a good rainy season, the Mist Trail was back to being the Mist Trail.  After so little water the past couple of years I thoroughly enjoyed getting my rain jacket out once we started to get hit by the spray of Vernal Falls.  I highly recommend crossing over the top of Nevada Falls and taking the John Muir Trail down.  Loop trails are always more interesting than out and backs and the views are spectacular! 

Looking back at Half Dome, Liberty Cap, and Nevada Falls

Pickett Peak Snowshoe

Hope Valley is a beautiful spot.  Tucked in below Luther Pass, it seems like a totally separate world away from Tahoe's shops and tourism.  Despite the rain and snow in the forecast I headed out to attempt a snowshoe hike of Pickett Peak.  From the junction of Hwy 88 and 89 I quickly found myself unstrapping my snowshoes and throwing them on.  The silence on the trail was beautiful as I continued up the switchbacks and then cross-country straight up to the peak.  The rain turned to snow once I got up close to the summit.  I thoroughly enjoyed the summit, with clouds flying across revealing views of Hope Valley for brief moments before hiding the valley again.  The warm storm allowed me to stay on the summit for a good while and admire perhaps my last snow of the year.

Grand Canyon, Bryce, and Zion

Spring Break is a beautiful time of year to see the American Southwest.  For the second straight year I ventured down to Arizona and Southern Utah for a road trip.  Weather in the Grand Canyon was perfect once again with cool nights and perfect days.  The feeling of peering over the rim of the Grand Canyon is simply spectacular.  It was fun remembering last year's 50 mile Rim to Rim to Rim run.

Southern Utah's Bryce Canyon is right up there among my favorite national parks.  With barely any crowds and hundreds of brightly-colored hoodoos, it is truly a unique spot.  You feel more like you are on Mars then on planet earth.  At 8,000 feet the springtime snow blending with the shades of red in the rock is a beautiful combination.

Zion is gorgeous.  It is a Yosemite valley full of red cliffs instead of granite.  The Zion Mount Carmel Hwy is a joy to drive with spectacular views around each bend.

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