Great drive with many off shoot roads that could be a potential hike in solitude during the week. Weekends are busy. Crystal Peak Mine is a place to take kids where they can dig for crystals. There is also a dirt road that joins Dog Valley Road at the top before dropping down to Verdi & this road connects to the Reservoir.
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Beautiful area. Good cardio. Ends at a pretty lake with fish jumping.
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Definitely a favorite! I just did the hike on 8/4/2019 and there was a cool breeze all day. The trail gradually gains elevation until the last few hundred yards where it's kind a steep -- like castle peak. It's nice though since there is very little elevation loss from the trailhead to the peak. I would rate this as a moderate trail in terms of technical difficulty. And if you are in decent shape I would not say it's overly strenuous.
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Good views of desolation wilderness,granite chief wilderness, and lake tahoe. Mostly easy fire roads with some fun ohv jeep roads.
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Wonderful moderately difficult hike in the Sierra which which is largely in a moderately dense pine forest passing through some small creeks that are easy to cross and then ascends in the last mile above the treeline for the ascent to Castle Peak which is fairly steep and covered with sand and scree near the top. Trrekking poles are helpful here The snow was almost completely gone, mosquitoes were bad in the lower elevations and the wildflowers were incredible, likely near their peak.
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Gentle hike on and off the PCT with great wildflower views. Drive to the Barker Pass trailhead for and extra gentle hike experience. Be prepared for mosquitos in some spots, and snow to mid summer possible. ATV and OHV trails in some spots but we didn’t see any vehicles on the trail this day.
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Good workout with great views. Did this in early July. Bears with cubs and mosquitoes around melting snow. Well worth it!
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Great hike with moderate vertical, nice creek and high ridge-line with great views.
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I really loved this hike on Spaulding lake trail to Fordyce falls. Lots of shade and beautiful views of Spaulding Lake and Fordyce falls.
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This trail is close to parking and offers a wide range of route choices with varying degrees of difficulty and beautiful scenery.
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I started at trails end. I did not start mr track until the top. All paved
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Went looking for noservice4wd. Got lost for a bit but found them at the end near hell hole lake.
Hit giant mud hole and got some rocks stuck in front left wheel and brakes.
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Trail conditions were great as the ground is not yet saturated from the rain. Creeks are still running slow and very easy to cross. Still be cautious of poison oak if wandering off the trail, the leaves have fallen and just bare branches now. Trail traffic is light this time of year and cooler temperatures make the hike a breeze. Beautiful views and old mining relics can be found along the trail.
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trail conditions clear on 11/16/18 with exception to small patches of ice/slush within 1 mile of the trailhead (no issues crossing these at all)
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Lakes were pretty low as it is late in the season. Upper Loch Leven Lake was frozen all the way across. Ice was not super thick though.
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Fall colors of the aspens are beautiful. It was raining so no more dust! Trail conditions were amazing.
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The trail is quite dusty this time of year, but the views are spectacular. Be aware of cooler temperatures in the late afternoon/evening. At the peak, stay right on the single track to reach the true peak.
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Great view of Lake Tahoe from Picnic Rock, 8 miles round trip from the TRT on Hwy 267 near Brockway Summit~16,50’. Add 2 more miles to go to the Fire Lookout station near Martis Peak. Adds about another 300’.
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