NorCal Dog Trails: Castle Peak

Near: Donner Pass
Distance: 9 miles (6 miles for winter route)
Elevation: 7200 - 9100 ft
Vegetation: Forest
Last Hike: January 2014

Castle Peak is a prominent summit overlooking Donner Pass. Its dramatic summit cliffs and easy access to I-80 make it a popular day hike. I've been a to Castle Peak a few times, mostly in winter. It makes an especially tempting route in winter because there is an easy to follow, well trodden winter route to the ridge line used by hikers and backcountry skiers alike. While one should always check weather conditions and avalanche danger carefully, the winter route up Castle Peak is also relatively avalanche safe. Also if you're looking for a mountain top to get married on, some good friends of mine have no regrets.

Safety Note:

If hiking or skiing in winter be avalanche aware and check out conditions well ahead of time. The Sierra Avalanche Center is a good place to start.

Rules:

This hike is in the Tahoe National Forest. Dogs are allowed off leash if under effective voice control. Please pick up after your dog and carry out all refuse. There are no permits required for hiking or back country camping. A permit is required for campfires or use of camp stoves.

Trailhead:

PCT Trailhead (summer) or California Sno Park (winter) on the south side of I-80 near Donner Summit (Boreal Ski Area exit).

The Route:

CalTopo Map: http://caltopo.com/m/L5VS

In the summer you'll need to navigate under I-80 to start climbing on the north side of the highway. A connector trail leads east for a bit under a half mile before joining the PCT proper. The PCT crosses under the highway and turns west for a bit before beginning to ascend to the north. In winter, park at the snow park then walk under I-80 at the Boreal Exit. The trail follows a firetrail starting just a few hundred yards to the east off a dead-end frontage road. The two routes meet just below the ridgeline about 3.5 miles into the summer route or 1.5 miles into the winter route. From there its easy to follow the ridge up to the summit.

Continuing on the ridge, a prominent outcropping halfway to the summit makes for a good lunch spot or consolation minisummit if the weather is getting bad. Once at the summit proper don't forget to scramble around on the rocky spires that make for Castle Peaks towers and ramparts. If you aren't ready to turn around, head north on the ridge to Basin Peak and bag another summit with an added 2.5 miles of hiking and a few hundred feet of elevation gain.

Instead of heading to the summit at the ridge line, you can continue north on the PCT into the bowl between Castle and Basin Peaks. This is a favorite area for back country skiers and at the bottom of the bowl you'll find the a sierra club mountain hut. (the Peter Grubb Hut, open only in the winter). I wouldn't recommend a stay at the hut for dogs. It's a great place for humans, but the sleeping loft is up a ladder and the lower level is pretty cozy during the day, but it's a cold concrete floor to spend a night on. Also dogs might not be technically allowed. The time we stayed there one guy made it work by sleeping on the ground floor with some extra pads and feeding the wood stove to keep his dog warm. It worked out OK for them, but didn't seem ideal.