Brian's Summit Map

Brian's Summit Map

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!

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!

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