About a mile and half into the trail.
In our ongoing quest to not suck on Shasta, we went up to Castle Peak to do a little skinning. Castle Peak is a popular spot for backcountry skiers and snowmobilers. The trailhead is on the summit of I-80, across the highway from Boreal Ski Area.
Due to our huge snowpack, the trail still has several feet of snow on it. However, it's also extremely sun-cupped, so there aren't too many people out.
Nancy on the saddle above Round Valley and the Peter Grubb Hut.
It's a flat skin for almost two miles, and then you climb a short ridge that forms the boundary of the south face and west bowl. We continued up the ridge, stopping for lunch on the rocky knob at the left in the picture.
Removing the skins.
It was a warm day with occasional clouds, just enough to keep us from sweating too much.
Nancy on the lower slope. You can see Boreal, Donner Ski Ranch, Sugar Bowl and Tinker Knob, as well as the backside of Granite Chief Peak and the Palisades much farther back.
The snow was a little punchy, but not bad considering the southern exposure.
Checking out her turns.
Since we came out just for the exercise, we only made one run. The whole trip—including lunch—took us about four and a half hours.
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