http://sierrapundit.com/wordpress Musings on life in the Range of Light Thu, 08 Jul 2010 18:45:55 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Wildlife gets pretty tame around Tahoe Donner but this takes the cake.   This beaver pond is right next to Skislope Way at Alder Creek.   At picture right is the owner's lodge only 5 yards from the pavement! There's also a cabin a mere 30 yards to the left of the image ... http://sierrapundit.com/wordpress/2010/07/07/beavers-up-close/ 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 ... http://sierrapundit.com/wordpress/2010/07/01/fish-biting-in-bridgeport/ So I return from visiting dad in Florida expecting to do little hiking and what do I find. Another powder day. Unfortunately even Alpine has shut down for the season, even though it only has to run Summit Six to provide a decent value for would-be Memorial Day weekend skiiers. http://sierrapundit.com/wordpress/2010/05/26/almost-june-and-another-powder-day-great/ There I was about to toss my Squaw pass after their announced closure and in comes a very windy storm to dump some more pow.  So Squaw will keep KT running until May 9 and Alpine will run at least Summit Six for several more weekends.     Surprisingly the ... http://sierrapundit.com/wordpress/2010/04/28/almost-may-and-a-powder-day/ At first glance the trailer for "Hot Tub Time Machine" looked promising. But come on now, those "Day-Glo"ski fashions are from 1975, NOT 1985! This is what MY crowd was wearing circa 1985 in Tahoe: Click on the thumbnails for a larger image. Do note the lack of helmets ... http://sierrapundit.com/wordpress/2010/03/29/hot-tub-time-machine-oh-come-on-now/ 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 ... http://sierrapundit.com/wordpress/2010/03/17/tahoe-donner-xc-a-short-intense-workout-with-a-view/ 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. [caption id="attachment_106" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Panoramic views abound on this loop. Click for ... http://sierrapundit.com/wordpress/2010/03/16/tahoe-donner-xc-a-loop-with-a-view-for-a-crystal-clear-day/ 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 ... http://sierrapundit.com/wordpress/2010/03/15/tahoe-donner-xc-a-loop-for-a-beginners-or-a-blustery-day/ 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 ... http://sierrapundit.com/wordpress/2010/03/07/tahoe-donner-xc-the-nordic-high-route/ 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 ... http://sierrapundit.com/wordpress/2010/03/02/tahoe-donner-xc-donner-ridge/