Sunday, May 15, 2016
Friday, May 13, 2016
Flagpole Peak
I knew that I would spend the day Saturday in San Fran. I was hoping to get up towards Tahoe somewhere on Friday for a little mountain air. The road in to Echo Lakes still had a lot of snow on it so I was forced to run in a mile to the Chalet. The southern side of Echo still had tons of snow covering it so I had to turn back from heading up towards Becker Peak. The Tahoe Rim Trail on the north side of Echo was nearly snow free. I runs across sun-exposed granite slabs so it was surprisingly dry.
Once I got to the mild of Lower Echo Lake I headed straight up to the ridge. The giant flagpole can be seen from many different spots on the climb up the ridge. It is a fun class 3 scramble which does not follow a trail but heads up and across to the summit. A very fun scramble in which you use your hands a lot on the way up. Spectacular views of two of Northern California's jewels....Lake Tahoe and Echo Lakes. Echo Lakes being half frozen just added to the beauty from decorated Flagpole Peak!
Saturday, May 7, 2016
Mt. Rose, Church, Chocolate Peak
Another Saturday and more snow in the forecast in the Sierras...I guess I'm getting used to it by now. I must have used my snowshoes at least a dozen times since getting them as an early Christmas present! In December I had been turned back from Mount Rose due to a big snowstorm which made me shorten my route and go for Mt. Houghton. This time I was determined to summit the areas highest peak.
From the trailhead it was snowing none-stop. This is a challenging trail as it seems like it has you walking on an angled slope the entire time. The final 2 miles up to Rose climb nearly 2,000 ft. In fresh powder this is a definite challenge, as it feels like you are running uphill in sand. Finally I made it up to the ridge and continued through the fierce wind up to Rose's summit. I had carried my friend Gary Blenner's campaign sign in my pack so I busted it out for a fun summit shot.
It was a short traverse over to Church Peak. The only thing that made it more challenging was the lack of visibility due to the snow blowing around. I then head cross-country quite a distance over towards Chocolate Peak. Going across the snow was real nice, no need for trail, as I could walk wherever I wanted. The last mile or so was a huge adventure coming off of Chocolate Peak down a ravine and then heading straight uphill to get out of the ravine and out to the Hwy. Thanks to my hitchhike buddy who gave me a lift back up to my car. Fun loop of the Mt. Rose area through snow from beginning to end!
