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!
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