Jack5455 - Pacific Crest Trail Journal - 2015

Scouting the Lk Tahoe area

Three passes in a day (well, by car): Sonora, Ebbets, Carson. I forgot how steep the road up to Sonora Pass. I did remember the beauty. Still plenty of snow there with skiers but figure 8's in the corn snow on the north facing slopes. I continued west and connected with the Ebbets Pass Rd. This one was almost scary with its narrowness, 1.5 lane road, and big air on the dropoffs. But again, very nice. Then I headed over to Carson Pass planning to sleep in my car at the pass. Too much traffic. I came back to Blue Lake road and slept in a Sno Park lot there. The next day I checked out the Blue Lakes road system for places where the PCT crossed it and found several (good news for future trips). Then I headed north to Quincy. I tried to stay in this town 2 years ago but rooms were either $ 150 or not available due to a rock festival.

The next day I went into Lassen Park with the intention of hiking to the summit of Lassen Peak. The peak trail had just re-opened last year and there were reports of 50% snow coverage. California rangers can not do math, it was probably 25% coverage. Not only that, park workers were on the trail with shovels and ice saws cutting out the trail. I know how Californians hate to put their little pinkies on any snow whatsoever, but I thought this was overkill. The trail was completely dug out by the time I descended.

Most people turned back at a rounded area but the true summit was another 1.4 mile and 100 vertical feet higher. I found a loose rock scramble approach on the south side and a short but very steep snow scramble on the north side. I had my microspikes so I chose the north side. I knew it was not an issue getting to the summit but the descent was such that I kissed the first boulder that I returned to.

I continued north out of the park and made it to Medford for the night. Next day I was home in my soft comfortable bed.

Entry 15 of 15
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