Hike - PCT to Peter Grubb Hut

Nancy crossing a small stream in the meadow to the west of Castle Peak.

We did another day hike on the Pacific Crest Trail from i-80, this time heading north to the Peter Grubb Hut. The trail is a lot rockier than the section we did last week, and it climbs steadily to a saddle between Andesite Peak and Castle Peak.

The Peter Grubb Hut.

The hut is mainly used by back-country skiers in the winter. We didn't see anyone out, except for some fresh mountain bike tire tracks (illegal on the PCT) in the dirt on the way back.

We hiked past the hut up towards Basin Peak for a mile or so, until we got tired of tromping through the snow.

Hike - PCT to Hwy 40

Near the start of the trail, with Castle Peak in the background.

We took advantage of a sunny, chilly day to hike a short section of the Pacific Rim Trail from I-80 to Highway 40 and back. The trail is only about four miles each way, but the scenery is terrific.

Mt. Judah and the train sheds.

The entire trail segment is lined with granite slabs and there's a nature loop near the start that points out the effects of glaciation. The trail is fairly flat, except for a short climb up a knob next to Highway 40 to access dramatic views of Donner Lake, Donner Peak and Mt. Judah.

We kept wishing that we had our bikes for this trail, except that mountain bikes aren't allowed on the PCT.

Bret looking down at Donner Lake.

It's a great spot for a lunch, or maybe to come up on a Fourth of July to watch the fireworks on the lake.

Nancy free climbing on the local granite.

Nancy spotted a nice line in the granite on the walk back and decided to do a little free climbing. Too bad we didn't have a rope, but Nancy is like a gecko on the rock.