Monthly ArchiveFebruary 2006
Snowshoeing 26 Feb 2006 11:59 pm
Castle Pass
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Snowshoe to Castle Pass from Donner Summit with M.
Went up to Donner Pass because the snow has melted off at lower elevation. Parked at Sno-Park off Donner Summit/I-80 ($5 day permit from the Boreal Ski Lodge). Partly cloudy, some sunshine during the first part of the day. Extreme wind gusts at the top. Met two dogs with no owners in sight for about half an hour, finally looked at their tags and called the phone number, but could only leave a message. Later, coming down the Castle Pass ridge, met them again back with their owners. Came down along Castle Valley Creek, which was running and had melted out impassable mini snow canyons. In most places the snow was firm below a thin layer of powder, so it was easy going–could hardly even tell you had the snowshoes on! 
The predicted storm front started coming in, with blowing snow and low clouds settling in, by the end of the hike. Good day, good company.
The predicted storm front started coming in, with blowing snow and low clouds settling in, by the end of the hike. Good day, good company.Statistics:
5.57 mi (2.53 mi uphill, 2.60 mi downhill, 0.39 mi flat)
~1200 ft total ascent – 12.4 % uphill grade, 15.4 % downhill grade
3:58:36 total time (3:32:59 moving, 0:25:37 stopped)
0:38:13 pace (1.6 mph average speed, 3.4 mph max speed)
10.704 difficulty, 16.444 effortSunday February 26, 2006 – 08:37pm (PST)
5.57 mi (2.53 mi uphill, 2.60 mi downhill, 0.39 mi flat)
~1200 ft total ascent – 12.4 % uphill grade, 15.4 % downhill grade
3:58:36 total time (3:32:59 moving, 0:25:37 stopped)
0:38:13 pace (1.6 mph average speed, 3.4 mph max speed)
10.704 difficulty, 16.444 effortSunday February 26, 2006 – 08:37pm (PST)
F
News 19 Feb 2006 11:59 pm
Truckee River Walk
Sunday afternoon stroll along the Truckee River. In the middle of a very lingering cold, but happy to be with good company.
Hiking 11 Feb 2006 11:15 pm
Peavine West
Hiked with M. and S. to “Peak 7219″ on western flank of Peavine Peak from near the Red Rocks interchange on US 395. Mostly on forest service roads or 4WD tracks except bushwacking to the peak, which overlooks Dog Valley, Verdi Peak, Mt. Rose. Some knee- to hip-deep snow on the north & east facing slopes at the upper elevations, perfect for the snowshoes we had strapped to our packs….oops, forgot, we didn’t carry the snowshoes! This is a really nice area, seemingly remote and isolated for being so close to Reno. Saw seven deer on the final ascent. Some of the multiple roads on the descent loop were covered with snow, and we ended up following one up to higher elevation (7400 ft) than intended–but after struggling through snow for a 400 m uphill piece (a bit tough for humans and canine), we got back to a good downhill road passing the Red Metal Mine. Another great adventure with great company
Statistics:
10.12 mi (4.32 mi uphill, 4.93 mi downhill, 0.80 mi flat)
~2300 ft total ascent – 15.0 % uphill grade, 12.8 % downhill grade
6:40:15 total time (4:49:29 moving, 1:50:46 stopped)
0:28:35 pace (2.1 mph average speed, 4.4 mph max speed)
19.505 difficulty, 33.690 effort
Snowshoeing 05 Feb 2006 11:21 pm
Tamarack Peak
Tamarack Peak from Mt. Rose Highway Summit. Snowshoe hike with M.
Gorgeous day in all aspects. Start: 8900 ft at Mt. Rose Summit trailhead parking. Snowshoed along ridge to Tamarack Peak at 9897 ft. Panoramic view of Lake Tahoe and surrounding peaks, Mt. Rose, Relay Peak, Truckee Meadows, Slide Mountain, Washoe Valley, and snow-covered peaks on the horizon in the east (probably the Humboldt Range at bearing 48 deg, 125 miles and the Clan Alpine/Desatoya Ranges at bearings 81-88, 110-115 miles). Saw a few telemark skiers and snowboarders. Enjoyed an extended lunch break in sunny sheltered area just below the peak overlooking Lake Tahoe. After an aborted descent into the Galena Creek basin (too steep), snowshoed down to the old Relay Peak road (a.k.a. the snowmobile highway), then back to ridge. Weather in the 40s and sunny, but strong east wind over the ridges. Can’t wait for the next adventure!
Statistics:
5.31 mi (2.31 mi uphill, 2.45 mi downhill, 0.44 mi flat)
1320 ft total ascent – 18.8 % uphill grade, 20.7 % downhill grade
5:58:32 total time (3:50:50 moving, 2:07:42 stopped)
0:43:25 pace (1.4 mph average speed, 3.1 mph max speed)
Sunday February 5, 2006 – 08:07pm (PST)