Re: skis and skies

AES/newspost wrote:

> In article <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>,
>  "Dingus Milktoast" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
>
> > At the top of Carson Pass on Hwy 88 is a stone obelisk dedicated to Snowshoe
> > Thompson. Carson Pass is at the foot of Red Lake Peak. This was the first
> > documented mountain "climbed by a white man" in the Sierra Nevada, by John
> > Fremont and his map maker Pruess. Also the first sighting of Lake Bigler
> > (later to be renamed Tahoe).
> >
> > I routinely ski Red Lake Peak a few times a year. Pretty easy to get in two
> > or more runs on this mountain. In doing so I am following in some HUGE snow
> > prints! It pleases me to think of such things as I skin up to the summit for
> > the 2000' ride back down.
>
>
> I *really* want to get up there this winter for exactly the same 
> sentimental reasons.  Any advice on easiest route to reach a point where 
> you can at least glimpse the Lake, for a 72-year-old, healthy but no 
> mountain man, whose more usual day trips are to climb slowly maybe 800' 
> vertical feet on fishscale backcountry skiis up one of the ridges on 
> either side of Tahoe Mdws (aka Mt. Rose Mdws) and very cautiously 
> traverse back down.  
>
> (GPS coordinates for such a route welcomed; I've been to the parking 
> area on the N side of 88 at the top of Carson Pass a couple of winters 
> ago.)

Just park at the area you've been to before (snow-park permit required), 
and follow the trail (almost always with ski/snowshoe tracks) to the 
West, gaining very little if any elevation. Contour around the ridge to 
the North, and soon you will see a low saddle to the N/NW across a 
drainage. Head on up 300-400 vertical feet or so to the saddle - 
fishscales should be fine - and feast your eyes on the lake and other 
great views. Really easy route to follow given good visibility, and some 
really mellow slopes around if you feel like swooping some easy turns. 
Head up the ridge West of the saddle for better views.

Have fun,
Tom