Well my dad and his friend Barbara Ellis flew west from Florida for a week of l Sierra adventure. After touring down 49 to Coloma, Columbia, Sonora and Bridgeport we zipped through Yosemite and wound up in Bridgeport for some fishing. Though Twin Lakes was stone-cold dead, they were definitely biting in Bridgeport Reservoir:
Other trip [...]
This semi-loop or out-and-back, aka “Hawks Peak Direct”, offers a short, fairly intense workout when you don’t have all day to spend skiing, plus a good, earned downhill run back. Note the vertical gain is about the same as in the Great Race, but over a shorter distance. As a diagonal plodder on waxless skis [...]
This 16km loop, informally known as “Sundance/Drifter”, offers views of the pastoral Euer Valley and panoramic views from Hawks Peak and Donner Ridge. It is best on clear, calm days as the upper end is rather exposed.
Note: The Hawks Peak/Donner Ridge area is often not completely groomed until the 2nd day after a heavy [...]
One nice thing about Tahoe Donner XC is that it has some large areas, such as the Euer Valley, that are more sheltered than Royal Gorge when the wind is blowing and the snow is flying. This 15km loop, informally known as “Coyote Crossing”, hits 3 warming huts and features gentle downhill grades for [...]
This somewhat off-beat, lift-served XCD tour takes advantage of one of the more curious things about Tahoe Donner. Tahoe Donner Downhill is a shortcut trailhead via the Eagle Chair to the highest points in Tahoe Donner XC across the street, which are higher and more viewful than the alpine area!
The obvious route is to [...]
This has got to be the easiest short trip with panoramic ridge and summit views in the Sierra Nevada, combining a little trail-breaking and the Tahoe Donner XC trail system (and a trail pass) with minimal uphill slogging. The summertime trailhead just off the intersection of Glacier Way and Skislope Way is usually plowed, [...]
Well, I guess it was inevitable. The crowds inching up the Half Dome cables have become quite a mule train with congestion contributing to several hiker fatalities.
There will be 400 permits a day and demand will likely exceed availability. Permits must be reserved at least one week in advance through the National Recreation Reservation [...]
Tahoe Donner features the Northern Sierra’s easiest hike or bike ride with panoramic ridge and summit views. Make your way to the Glacier Way parking lot off Skislope way and follow the yellow route on the map to Hawks Peak.
About 6 miles out-and-back.
While riding the Eagle lift a while back I encountered an in-the-know fellow who mentioned a proposal kicking around for a backside lift from the base of Walt’s or Hans Down to the Sno-Cat garage at the crest of Skislope.
I think this is a good idea for two reasons. First, we cater to beginners and [...]
