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View Full Version : CA>Tahoe / Castle Peak area>January 26th Overnight> Snow camp shake out!



Sidewinder
01-17-2013, 20:46
I plan to do an overnighter in the Castle Peak area across the freeway from the Boreal Ski Resort off of highway 80 in the Tahoe national forest. A few miles from the Donner pass.

This area is located at the foot of the PCT and should have a very good base of snow. Forecast calls for lows in the high teens and about a 20% chance of snowfall.

The camp will be just off the trail about 1/2 mile in from the trail gate. Parking will be available in the Snopark next to Boreal which will require a parking pass available for $5 and would need to be purchased in advanced at local stores or easily online.

I call this a Shake Out because its a great way to dial in you Winter hang if you are new to snow camping. Since your car will be about a 20 minute walk, bailing out will be an easy option if need be.

I will arrive at the SnoPark around noon on saturday then walk the road under the freeway into trail from there. I've done this very trip six times in past winters and countless time in the Summer. This time of year its a great place to hike/snowshoe/xcountry ski.

What you will need:

Hammock stuff and insulation appropriate to the weather
Warm clothing enough to keep you warm down to single digits
SnowPark parking pass https://secure.kinsail.com/results.asp?p=casno&pt=parks
Snowshoes are optional but very useful
Pulk optional but also useful - if you bring one, we will drop it off at the trail head then park the car.

Everyone is welcome even if you've never snow camped this will be a great opportunity to check it out. Please reply to the thread if interested. I will be leaving from the Bay Area if you would like to carpool let me know.

S

Sidewinder
01-17-2013, 23:00
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garyg763
01-18-2013, 19:33
Wow, that looks beautiful. Not so sure if I'm up to the cold but come spring I'll be ready. So during the summer do you hang near the Peter Grubb hut? Hopefully the weather will cooperate for you.

Sidewinder
01-18-2013, 20:02
Wow, that looks beautiful. Not so sure if I'm up to the cold but come spring I'll be ready. So during the summer do you hang near the Peter Grubb hut? Hopefully the weather will cooperate for you.

Yes, last summer I hung by the hut. Will not go that far in the winter. Although I may try to hike up to the pass on Sunday of this trip.

I will put up more trips in the summer as well. Usually in spring I tend to stay in lower elevation areas as the snowmelt is a bit much to deal with. Stay tuned!

S

garyg763
01-18-2013, 20:50
Sounds great, count me in when the snow melts.

Sidewinder
01-28-2013, 13:43
My report for this trip:

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/showthread.php?p=925370#post925370

THE DANGLER
01-30-2013, 12:55
Sorry I couldn't make it. I still need to get my uq dialed in before heading to the snow. Also I was coming off a couple of overnight shifts on sat morning and I was dog tired. Looks like you guys had a fun though