Читать книгу Top Trails: Lake Tahoe. Must-Do Hikes for Everyone онлайн

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Beyond the unmarked junction, you follow mildly graded trail through mixed forest, toward Castle Valley. Eventually the trail brings you alongside the creek for a brief time and then travels just east of the verdant meadows of Castle Valley. Use trails branch away from the PCT at various points, headed toward the creek and meadows. At 2.3 miles from the trailhead you cross a well-traveled dirt road, and then continue upstream through Castle Valley, hopping over lushly lined tributaries along the way. Nearing the head of the valley, the PCT bends to the west on an ascending traverse to a signed three-way junction with a trail from the Castle Valley Road. ssss1 From there, a short but stiff climb brings you to Castle Pass and a junction with a trio of paths, 3.3 miles from the trailhead. ssss1

At Castle Pass take the use trail to the right, which ascends the west ridge of Castle Peak. As you climb the rocky ridge the conifers diminish, allowing you increasingly good views of Castle Peak ahead and other peaks and landmarks scattered around the Donner Pass region. A steep, zigzagging ascent heads around to the north side of the mountain, where switchbacks then lead you toward the summit. After a rocky stretch of climbing, a splendid view greets you at the top of the 9,103-foot peak. ssss1 Clear days offer a 360-degree view, all the way to Lassen Peak in the north, Mount Diablo and the coastal hills to the west, the peaks of Desolation Wilderness to the south, and the Carson Range to the east. Don’t forget to pack along a map of the area to help you identify the numerous landmarks visible from the summit.