Castle Peak 2005

Trip map

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:14:32 -0800

Trip profile

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:14:32 -0800

At Castle Pass Trailhead. From left: Tiare, Gary, Daniela, Susan, Bonnie, Rich, Frank, Cheryl, Tom, Andrew. (Thanks to Rich for helping me get all the names!)

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:14:34 -0800

Frank Farmer
At Castle Pass Trailhead. From left: Tiare, Gary, Daniela, Susan, Bonnie, Rich, Frank, Cheryl, Tom, Andrew. (Thanks to Rich for helping me get all the names!)

Wilderness Boundary -- The early part of the Castle Pass Trail is open to 4WD vehicles, trail bikes, just about anything. It is refreshing to get past that

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:14:36 -0800

Frank Farmer
Wilderness Boundary -- The early part of the Castle Pass Trail is open to 4WD vehicles, trail bikes, just about anything. It is refreshing to get past that

Merging with the PCT ... next stop, Canada! The hike today will be about 2.7 miles each way, 1800' elevation gain going in. It is a heavily used area, but very nice nevertheless.

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:14:37 -0800

Frank Farmer
Merging with the PCT ... next stop, Canada! The hike today will be about 2.7 miles each way, 1800' elevation gain going in. It is a heavily used area, but very nice nevertheless.

A tribute

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:14:40 -0800

Frank Farmer
A tribute

Looking north from Castle Pass -- Sand Ridge

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:14:41 -0800

Frank Farmer
Looking north from Castle Pass -- Sand Ridge

Basin Peak connects to our goal, Castle Peak, via a backbone ridge

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:14:45 -0800

Frank Farmer
Basin Peak connects to our goal, Castle Peak, via a backbone ridge

Basin Peak

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:14:47 -0800

Frank Farmer
Basin Peak

Looking south from Castle Pass -- Granite Chief?

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:14:50 -0800

Frank Farmer
Looking south from Castle Pass -- Granite Chief?

Snacking before heading up to Castle Peak -- Tom, Daniela, Susan, Rich

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:14:53 -0800

Frank Farmer
Snacking before heading up to Castle Peak -- Tom, Daniela, Susan, Rich

Getting ready for the summit hike -- Bonnie, Gary, Tiare, Andy

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:14:57 -0800

Frank Farmer
Getting ready for the summit hike -- Bonnie, Gary, Tiare, Andy

Heading up -- Daniela is a very fast hiker, and has taken off in front of our group!

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:15:02 -0800

Frank Farmer
Heading up -- Daniela is a very fast hiker, and has taken off in front of our group!

Castle Peak dominates the scene

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:15:04 -0800

Frank Farmer
Castle Peak dominates the scene

Rich stops for a photo -- You can see the use trails going up the peak

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:15:08 -0800

Frank Farmer
Rich stops for a photo -- You can see the use trails going up the peak

Open country near Castle Pass

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:15:10 -0800

Frank Farmer
Open country near Castle Pass

Castle Peak Panorama

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:42:52 -0800

Frank Farmer
Castle Peak Panorama

Well-worn trail

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:15:13 -0800

Frank Farmer
Well-worn trail

Basalt flows define this peak

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:15:18 -0800

Frank Farmer
Basalt flows define this peak

Southern Panorama -- Desolation Wilderness, Granite Chief Wilderness

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:42:54 -0800

Frank Farmer
Southern Panorama -- Desolation Wilderness, Granite Chief Wilderness

Looking back down to Castle Pass

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:15:20 -0800

Frank Farmer
Looking back down to Castle Pass

Looking up to Castle Peak -- Pine trees and fir trees are nestled in the sheltered northern slopes of the peak

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:42:55 -0800

Frank Farmer
Looking up to Castle Peak -- Pine trees and fir trees are nestled in the sheltered northern slopes of the peak

A big blob of basalt

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:15:24 -0800

Frank Farmer
A big blob of basalt

A blob with a view

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:15:29 -0800

Frank Farmer
A blob with a view

Looking south, toward the Donner Summit area -- In this view are the Boreal Ridge, Donner Ski Ranch, and Sugar Bowl ski resorts. Great skiing venues in the winter, but a little dry now!

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:15:36 -0800

Frank Farmer
Looking south, toward the Donner Summit area -- In this view are the Boreal Ridge, Donner Ski Ranch, and Sugar Bowl ski resorts. Great skiing venues in the winter, but a little dry now!

Susan and Bonnie conferring

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:15:38 -0800

Frank Farmer
Susan and Bonnie conferring

Easter Island?

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:42:57 -0800

Frank Farmer
Easter Island?

Rich climbs the trail

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:15:48 -0800

Frank Farmer
Rich climbs the trail

Zooming out on Rich as he climbs

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:15:51 -0800

Frank Farmer
Zooming out on Rich as he climbs

In the trees

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:15:54 -0800

Frank Farmer
In the trees

Trail leads us up

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:15:55 -0800

Frank Farmer
Trail leads us up

Rich

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:15:58 -0800

Frank Farmer
Rich

Frank (AKA Tiocampo)

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:15:59 -0800

Frank Farmer
Frank (AKA Tiocampo)

Peeking out at Sand Ridge

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:16:00 -0800

Frank Farmer
Peeking out at Sand Ridge

Sand Ridge, Round Meadow

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:16:02 -0800

Frank Farmer
Sand Ridge, Round Meadow

Hikers on the way up -- Bonnie and Daniela are in the lead

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:16:03 -0800

Frank Farmer
Hikers on the way up -- Bonnie and Daniela are in the lead

The way up

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:16:04 -0800

Frank Farmer
The way up

Clouds on the march -- The clouds built throughout the day, but rain was never a threat

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:16:05 -0800

Frank Farmer
Clouds on the march -- The clouds built throughout the day, but rain was never a threat

Climbing toward a puffy cloud

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:16:06 -0800

Frank Farmer
Climbing toward a puffy cloud

Rich, Tiare, Gary -- With Round Meadow and Sand Ridge in the background

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:16:08 -0800

Frank Farmer
Rich, Tiare, Gary -- With Round Meadow and Sand Ridge in the background

Gary and Tiare -- A very nice couple. Gary provided excellent assistance to Tom, in figuring out how to do timed shots with his Canon digital camera.

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:16:08 -0800

Frank Farmer
Gary and Tiare -- A very nice couple. Gary provided excellent assistance to Tom, in figuring out how to do timed shots with his Canon digital camera.

Looking east from the summit -- Coon Canyon

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:42:58 -0800

Frank Farmer
Looking east from the summit -- Coon Canyon

Southern Panorama from the Summit

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:42:59 -0800

Frank Farmer
Southern Panorama from the Summit

Boreal Ridge, Donner Ski Ranch, Sugar Bowl, Soda Springs, Royal Gorge ski resorts

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:43:00 -0800

Frank Farmer
Boreal Ridge, Donner Ski Ranch, Sugar Bowl, Soda Springs, Royal Gorge ski resorts

We are on the west summit -- Looking over at another summit

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:16:09 -0800

Frank Farmer
We are on the west summit -- Looking over at another summit

Looking down on a basalt tower

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:16:10 -0800

Frank Farmer
Looking down on a basalt tower

Basalt tower

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:16:12 -0800

Frank Farmer
Basalt tower

Summit picnickers, with a northerly view

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:16:13 -0800

Frank Farmer
Summit picnickers, with a northerly view

Northern Panorama -- Sand Ridge dominates the left background. The Sierra Buttes are in the distance. On a clear day, we would also see Mount Lassen

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:43:01 -0800

Frank Farmer
Northern Panorama -- Sand Ridge dominates the left background. The Sierra Buttes are in the distance. On a clear day, we would also see Mount Lassen

A view of the Basin Peak backbone route -- An adventurous extension, for another day! The bowl below Basin Peak is a premier area for telemark skiing.

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:16:14 -0800

Frank Farmer
A view of the Basin Peak backbone route -- An adventurous extension, for another day! The bowl below Basin Peak is a premier area for telemark skiing.

Close up of basalt rock, desert plants

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:16:15 -0800

Frank Farmer
Close up of basalt rock, desert plants

Eastern Panorama

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:43:03 -0800

Frank Farmer
Eastern Panorama

Eastern view -- Boca Reservoir, near Truckee, is visible at left. Prosser Valley is in the basin in front of Boca Reservoir. Some of these areas are in danger of being developed for resident ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:16:16 -0800

Frank Farmer
Eastern view -- Boca Reservoir, near Truckee, is visible at left. Prosser Valley is in the basin in front of Boca Reservoir. Some of these areas are in danger of being developed for resident ...

Eastern view -- Boca Reservoir, near Truckee, is visible at left. Prosser Valley is in the basin in front of Boca Reservoir. Some of these areas are in danger of being developed for resident ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:43:04 -0800

Northeastern Panorama -- Carpenter Ridge, Sagehen Hills

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:43:05 -0800

Frank Farmer
Northeastern Panorama -- Carpenter Ridge, Sagehen Hills

Group photo on the summit! Andy, Frank, Susan, Tiare, Daniela, Gary, Rich, Tom, Bonnie. (Cheryl was waiting for us on the trail below.)

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:41:55 -0800

Frank Farmer
Group photo on the summit! Andy, Frank, Susan, Tiare, Daniela, Gary, Rich, Tom, Bonnie. (Cheryl was waiting for us on the trail below.)

Stacked cloud display to the north

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:41:56 -0800

Frank Farmer
Stacked cloud display to the north

Sand Ridge, Round Valley

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:41:57 -0800

Frank Farmer
Sand Ridge, Round Valley

Zoomed in on Round Valley -- The Peter Grubb Sierra Club Hut is in this picture somewhere ... do you see it?

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:41:58 -0800

Frank Farmer
Zoomed in on Round Valley -- The Peter Grubb Sierra Club Hut is in this picture somewhere ... do you see it?

Beautiful plants

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:42:00 -0800

Frank Farmer
Beautiful plants

On the descent

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:42:01 -0800

Frank Farmer
On the descent

On the descent

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:42:02 -0800

Frank Farmer
On the descent

Looking toward Royal Gorge and Serene Lakes, to the southwest -- Lake Van Norden is ithe big lake in the middle

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:42:03 -0800

Frank Farmer
Looking toward Royal Gorge and Serene Lakes, to the southwest -- Lake Van Norden is ithe big lake in the middle

Looking back to the summit

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:42:04 -0800

Frank Farmer
Looking back to the summit

Colorful slopes

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:42:05 -0800

Frank Farmer
Colorful slopes

Blocky basalt

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:42:06 -0800

Frank Farmer
Blocky basalt

Returning down the summit trail

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:42:08 -0800

Frank Farmer
Returning down the summit trail

Looking out to Round Valley

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:42:09 -0800

Frank Farmer
Looking out to Round Valley

Heading down

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:42:10 -0800

Frank Farmer
Heading down

Watch your step!

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:42:11 -0800

Frank Farmer
Watch your step!

Spidery use trails below

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:42:15 -0800

Frank Farmer
Spidery use trails below

A wider view

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:42:16 -0800

Frank Farmer
A wider view

A western view, as we hike down

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:42:17 -0800

Frank Farmer
A western view, as we hike down

Moving on down

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:42:18 -0800

Frank Farmer
Moving on down

Crossing the ridge

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:42:21 -0800

Frank Farmer
Crossing the ridge

Crossing the ridge

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:42:22 -0800

Frank Farmer
Crossing the ridge

A blocky peak

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:42:23 -0800

Frank Farmer
A blocky peak

Basin Peak Panorama

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:43:06 -0800

Frank Farmer
Basin Peak Panorama

Wind-swept trees

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:42:24 -0800

Frank Farmer
Wind-swept trees

Trees and clouds

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:42:25 -0800

Frank Farmer
Trees and clouds

Dropping down again

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:42:26 -0800

Frank Farmer
Dropping down again

Heading down, with Castle Pass in view

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:42:27 -0800

Frank Farmer
Heading down, with Castle Pass in view

Lichen

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:42:30 -0800

Frank Farmer
Lichen

The final stretch down to Castle Pass -- Watch your step! The fine grit and small rocks made for hazardous footing.

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:42:32 -0800

Frank Farmer
The final stretch down to Castle Pass -- Watch your step! The fine grit and small rocks made for hazardous footing.

Approaching the pass

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:42:34 -0800

Frank Farmer
Approaching the pass

Looking back at Castle Peak -- We were up there, just a few minutes ago

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:42:35 -0800

Frank Farmer
Looking back at Castle Peak -- We were up there, just a few minutes ago

Castle Peak Panorama

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:43:07 -0800

Frank Farmer
Castle Peak Panorama

Ski trail signs -- This is a great place to come in the winter

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:42:36 -0800

Frank Farmer
Ski trail signs -- This is a great place to come in the winter

On the main trail -- This section is accessible to 4WD vehicles and mountain bikes.

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:42:38 -0800

Frank Farmer
On the main trail -- This section is accessible to 4WD vehicles and mountain bikes.

Open meadow on Andesite Ridge -- On the way back to the trailhead

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:42:40 -0800

Frank Farmer
Open meadow on Andesite Ridge -- On the way back to the trailhead

Small creeklet, waterfall

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:42:41 -0800

Frank Farmer
Small creeklet, waterfall

Trees and meadow

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:42:44 -0800

Frank Farmer
Trees and meadow

Peaks and trees

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:42:45 -0800

Frank Farmer
Peaks and trees

Peeking at Castle Peak

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:42:47 -0800

Frank Farmer
Peeking at Castle Peak

Wide road -- But a nice hike, nevertheless

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:42:48 -0800

Frank Farmer
Wide road -- But a nice hike, nevertheless

Bonnie -- It was great to hike with her again! She is a great person and a strong, fast hiker.

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:42:49 -0800

Frank Farmer
Bonnie -- It was great to hike with her again! She is a great person and a strong, fast hiker.

Castle Peak Panorama

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:43:08 -0800

Frank Farmer
Castle Peak Panorama

Castle Peak

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:42:51 -0800

Frank Farmer
Castle Peak

One last Castle Peak Panorama -- Seen across Castle Valley. A group of us reconvened at Rosy's Restaurant in Colfax, for a relaxing dinner on the way home. Another terrific hike! Thanks to R ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Frank Farmer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:41:54 -0800

Frank Farmer
One last Castle Peak Panorama -- Seen across Castle Valley. A group of us reconvened at Rosy's Restaurant in Colfax, for a relaxing dinner on the way home. Another terrific hike! Thanks to R ...