Fall arrives with its cooler weather and our thoughts turn to snow! Snow shoeing & snow camping is a wonderful Winter activity for Scouts of all ages, though distances and conditions need to be carefully monitored for younger Scouts. On the other hand, HAT recommends that snow camping be limited to older Scouts that are properly trained and equipped. In either case, HAT also recommends that all adult leaders and older Scouts complete HAT's OKPIK Cold Weather Camping awareness program. Check the Seminar Schedule page for current offerings and registration information.
Castle Peak & Peter Grub Hut
Operated by the Sierra Club, the Peter Grub Hut is one of 5 'cabins' available to rent but we prefer to snow camp near the hut (the hut is always available as your 'bail out' plan if everyhting goes wrong!).
From the Sierra Club web site: Three miles north of I-80 at Donner Summit; 800' elevation gain over the first two miles to Castle Pass, then down 250' to the cabin at 7800'. The route is poorly marked by orange triangles mounted obscurely in trees at 100-200 yard intervals. There are day trip possibilities to Paradise Valley, Basin Peak, Castle Peak, and Sand Ridge Lake. Round Valley is a good instructional and practice area for skiers. The cabin is just off the Pacific Crest Trail and is a popular destination for day trippers; daytime privacy and security are minimal. Overnight parking is available at the California Sno- Park site at Donner Summit. Floor space upstairs in the cabin sleeps 15. A two-story outhouse is 75' WNW of the cabin. Topo map: Norden 7-1/2' quad.
The actual hiking distance is close to 5 miles. Combined with the elevation gain, this is not recommendd for first time snow campers. More experienced Scouts will enjoy the challenge.
See the Sierra Club web site at http://www.sierraclub.org/outings/lodges/huts/map.asp for more information on hut rentals, etc.
Boreal Ridge Loop
This is a great training hike with frozen lakes, gentle slopes, and great views! The loop is just over 3 miles, but you can do an out and back hike with shorter distances.
This is a good route for practicing map & compass skills with views of peaks, lakes and cliffs that should be easily recongnized on your maps.
Good camping sites are available nearer each of the three lakes; Azalea, Flora Lake and Lake Angela. This is a popular snowshoe area, so be sure to camp well off the trail.
Take I80 to the Boreal exit. Take the S frontage road (Boreal Ski resort side) to the Snow Park (don't forget your permit!). There are restrooms at the trail head, but no water. The trail head is usually confused by snow play activities, but this all is left behind in the first 1/2 mile or so.
Fordyce Lake Road
Loon Lake
Sagehen Campground
In the Summer, this is a popular Forest Service campground with good fishing in the nearby creek. In the Winter, this is a gentle hike of a bit more than 2.5 miles to the camp. Depending on snow depth, you may be able to dig out a fire ring and a table or two as we did in the Winter of 2006. There are no restrooms nor running water.
There are longer distance hikes available from your Sagehen basecamp, including a dat hike to Independence Lake.
Snowmobiles are allowed to use the 1/4 mile or so of this trail, but after that your machine free!
With a hike of over 5 miles, this outing does quality for the HAT Snowtrekker patch! Check out the Awards & Patches section for more info.
Take HWY 89 out of Truckee to the Sierra County line. On your left will be a Forest Service storage garage and trail signage. Park in the plowed areas away from the garage doors. This is not a Snow Park so plowing is spotty.
Sugar Pine Point State Park
Operated year around on Tahoe's West Shore, this is a popular day trip for locals looking to snowshoe or cross country ski. With heated rest rooms and running water, it's also a wonderful location for an introduction to snow camping. Day Use & Overnight fees apply.
HAT's OKPIK Cold Weather Camping Awareness Course holds its outdoor session here.
Yuba Gap
Just off I80 at the Yuba Gap exit, this popular day use area is just east of the HWY 20 intersection. It doesn't take too long before you've left the crowds behind and are treated to the quiet of winter in the forest.
The trail head is a Snow Park, so don't forget your permit for each day you'll be out!
Further Reading:
"Snowshoe Trails of California";White, Michael; Wilderness Press, Berkeley, CA; 2001.
This page revised August 10, 2007.