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!