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Lake Tahoe / Truckee Ski of the Month Castle Peak in Winter |
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With winter here, the trail to Castle Peak is excellent for snowshoeing or cross country skiing. Along the trail you get great views of mountain peaks to the south and east. Castle Peak itself is a dramatic volcanic summit, covered with ice and snow in the winter. The final ascent to Castle Peak would be difficult in the winter. The view from Castle Peak includes most of the Tahoe peaks, Lake Tahoe, Sierra Buttes, Eureka Peak, and (on a clear day) Mount Lassen.
The trail to Castle Peak is 6.5 miles round trip. To get to the actual summit for Castle Peak would likely require snowshoes and is rated hard. However, the first part of the trail is a gentle uphill slope ideal for cross country skis or snowshoes. The trail initially leads to a saddle below Castle Peak. There are excellent views from the saddle. When you reach the saddle you then follow the ridge east to Castle Peak. It is this section of the trail that would be considered hard. The elevation gain to the summit is 1800 feet, from 7200 to 9000 feet.
To get to Castle Peak take Highway 80 to Donner Summit. Exit at the Boreal Ski Resort. When you get off the freeway go to the same side of the freeway that Boreal Ski Resort is located (south side of Highway 80). When you get to the access road that runs parallel to Highway 80, take it to the left (east) towards the Boreal motel. Continue slightly past the Boreal motel. You will see signs along the access road where the SNO-PARK parking begins. The parking is along the shoulders of the access road from November 30 to May 1 each year. The shoulders are plowed during the winter for the SNO-PARK parking. You will need to get a SNO-PARK permit to park or you may be ticketed (about $87). SNO-PARK permits can be purchased for $5 for the day or $25 for the season. You can get these at Mountain (Ace) Hardware in Truckee (open 7 days a week) next to the Safeway. You can also purchase SNO-PARK passes on-line at
http://www.ohv.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1233
Enjoy the photos that follow. These photos are from the first part of the trail to just below the ridge. |
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John Williamson 530-412-1356
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Castle Peak at Donner Summit, excellent for skiing and snowshoeing |
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All content Copyrighted © John Williamson 2010. All rights reserved. Contact John Williamson and obtain written permission before using or reproducing any material contained on this site. |
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Closer view of Castle Peak shrouded in ice and snow. |
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View from trail looking southeast. Mountain tops in background. |
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Sidekick and Sabree on the trail to the ridge |
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Snow covered trail to the ridge. |
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Snow covered trees bent into curious shapes |
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Castle Peak partly covered in clouds. |
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Castle Peak with snow covered trees beneath. |
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Resort and Second Home Property Specialist |
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11500 Donner Pass Road Truckee, CA 96161 |
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Accredited Buyer Representative |
