Hike - PCT to Tinker Knob

Click for a large panorama from the summit of Tinker Knob.

The start of the trail at the summit of Highway 40.

We’ve completed riding all the sections of the Tahoe Rim Trail that allow bikes, so now we’re looking at hiking some of the remaining parts. However, first we decided to hike the Pacific Crest Trail from Sugar Bowl to Squaw Valley.

We started at the top of Highway 40, next to Sugar Bowl. The trail switchbacks up a rocky section above Lake Mary and then slowly ascends into Sugar Bowl, going past the top of the Jerome Hill chair to Roller Pass.

Looking into Coldstream Valley from Roller Pass. The PCT follows the ridge in the background.

Roller Pass sits between Mt. Judah and Mt. Lincoln and was used by the first wagon trains in the 1840s. Although it’s about 700’ higher than Donner Summit, it was easier to cross because it doesn’t have the granite obstacles of Donner. However, the final pitch is a 35° slope that emigrants traversed by unloading, partially disassembling and winching their wagons.

The pass was named Roller Pass because a log roller was used to haul wagons over the summit.

Roller Pass and Mt. Judah in the background.

The Donner crossing was made by 260 people and 50 wagons in 1845 and by approximately 1,500 people and 500 wagons in 1846—the year of the Donner Party. By 1850 most emigrants coming into California were using a better route to the south, via Carson Pass.

Volcanic features on the section to Anderson Peak.

The PCT trail sticks to the crest for the six miles from Roller Pass to Tinker Knob. You get nice views of Coldstream Valley, and walk along volcanic features and steep, eroded sections. It’s nearly always windy on the crest, so the temps were cool, despite the warm day.

Approaching Tinker Knob.

The trail is smooth dirt until you reach Anderson Peak. The trail goes around the back (west side) of Anderson and then climbs a rocky two miles up to Tinker Knob.

The view from the top of Tinker Knob (8,949’), with Squaw Valley beyond the ridge behind us.

Once you’ve reached the flanks of Tinker Knob, it only takes five minutes to scramble to the top. The view is impressive—you can see everything from Squaw to Truckee.

Descending from Tinker Knob into the fringes of the Granite Chief Wilderness.

Heading south from Tinker Knob, the trail quickly drops 1500’ and then climbs back up 700’ through granite features.

Descending the Granite Chief trail, standing on a granite slab while looking into Squaw Valley.

The PCT then meets the top of the Granite Chief trail, which is a steep, rocky, 2400' descent into Squaw along the north side of Shirley Lake Canyon.

About halfway down we encountered large granite slabs nearly the size of a parking lot.

On the PCT near the Granite Chief trail, looking north to Tinker Knob.

The hike was about 16 miles, with a vertical gain of around 3000 feet. It’s very scenic, and you can see the entire ridge system from Squaw to I-80.

Now, if they would just open up the PCT to bikes!