Castle Peak and Basin Peak November 4, 1999

A few days before the first real snows fell, Roger (78) and I chose to do Castle Peak (9,103'), a class 3 climb near the Boreal Ridge area along Interstate 80. We started hiking at 9:45 a.m. and upon reaching Castle Pass, we discerned a helicopter flying closely over ahead. They were responding to a hiker fatality which we soon came upon. The paramedics had the situation in hand, so we continued with our climb, and topped out on the highest crag at about noon.

Roger was game for doing Basin Peak, a ridge run some two miles to the north. So we took the good use trail, and topped out there at about 1:15 p.m. Returning on the PCT, we visited the Sierra Club Peter Grubb Hut on our way back, and reached our car near the freeway at about 4 p.m.

The weather was cool but pleasant. The only fresh snow then was visible on the north slopes of Mt. Rose. Fall is a great time to enjoy the peaks, when most of the crowds are gone, with the sun still warm and making things nice.

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