RALSTON PEAK (9,235') 19X AND GENOA PEAK (9,150') 4X, WITH A RENO EVENING HIKE June 14-15, 2000

Motivated by the hot temperatures forecast about most of California for these two days, I began a mid-week peak hike from Echo Lakes Trailhead at 9:36 a.m. The gain to the summit of Ralston Peak is relatively slight, about 2,000 feet, with mainly a long walk along the two lakes. A water taxi, with a posted fare as $7 each way, was available for those that wished to save the reported 3.5 miles (round trip?) of hiking.

It took me about an hour to hike the distance along the lakes. I saw snow ahead along the route of the Pinecrest trail on the side ridge. Trying something new, I took the signed, sometimes indistinct, side trail to Tamarack Lake. Two small waterfalls graced the far side of one lake.

I made two creek crossings, by then mostly cross-country, hopping on logs and rocks, to get to the base of the northeast rib that leads to the top of Ralston Peak. This rock rib turned out to be only a class 2 scramble with some steeper snowfields, beforehand, to climb. I used my old ice axe, and kicked steps in the firm snow.

Summiting at 1:26 p.m., I knew my time was slow. I had spent time looking for the easiest or most expedient route, with more time kicking steps in the snow. Also, it was warm. The highs today in the Central Valley were to be about 107. The heat saps my strength.

The summit view was revealing. The Lake Aloha basin had 50% snow coverage. The south-facing slopes on Dicks and Jacks Peaks, and Mt. Tallac, were mostly bare. But, almost solid snow covered the eastnortheast slopes of the Crystal Range.

I had seen another lone hiker descending as I made the top. Another trail ascends the now mostly, snow-free, south side of this peak from near Camp Sacramento, on U.S. 50. After a good rest, and plenty of photos, I started down at 2:17 p.m. Taking the route of the Pinecrest Trail northeast, I had a fun time doing standing glissades, and navigating along on snow while looking for the trail. I eventually came to the trail junction, with a post, near Haypress Meadows, then started back to Echo Lakes.

This portion of the Pacific Crest Trail is rocky and rough, with water flowing down the trail. As one leaves the designated wilderness, the footing, and the trail, gets better. I came back to my car at 5:30 p.m.

Having a buffet dinner and comfortable, inexpensive, mid-week lodging in South Lake Tahoe, I watched TV till late in the evening.

After a satisfying restaurant breakfast Thursday morning, with lots of coffee, I drove east on U.S. 50 to the Kingsbury Grade Highway, NV 207, and took the side road to Brautovich Park. The paved road, Andria Drive, continues to the signed North Kingsbury Trailhead for the Tahoe Rim Trail.

It is possible to continue driving up the main dirt road that leads to Genoa Peak. At this time, road work was being done, and then presumably, a regular passenger car, with a good driver, should be able to drive most of the way to the peak. Only on the steep, rocky, last half-mile or so, up the peak massif, would a 4WD vehicle be required.

I chose to hike the Tahoe Rim Trail, which is listed as six miles, this way, to the top. It is used also by mountain bikers, and winds through pine and red fir forest. It drops and climbs some 300 feet total, then ascends further, in 4.3 miles, to a flat area and a posted junction with a dirt road. Continue up on dirt roads. The last 150 feet are on rocky use trail. My total ascent time, from the TRT Trailhead, was three hours and six minutes, but this accounts for a wrong road taken with cross-country hiking to get back on route.

The vista of the Carson Valley includes fine views of both Carson City and Minden/Gardnerville. A nice view of Lake Tahoe has the higher, western peaks covered yet with snow.

My fast hike back on the main dirt road, to my car at the North Kingsbury Trailhead, took one hour and forty eight minutes, with quick stops, and then, notes taken.

My warm, mid-afternoon drive north up U.S. 395 to Reno wasn't too bad. I took a couple ice soda drinks before coming to the meeting place, on the lower slopes of Peavine Peak, for the 6 p.m. Great Basin Group evening hike.

Some dozen evening hikers were taken up Evans Creek, with a cool, pleasant trail that climbs so gradually to a vista point of 395 north. We climbed back left into and up the mountain, and came to crags with a good view of downtown Reno. A rock ring campsite, along with a memorial plaque, made stops of interest.

The sun sank low on the western horizon, and the nearly full moon appeared to the east. The hills turned orange from the alpenglow, and the lights of downtown turned on. We spent magic hour descending back to the Basque Monument and then to the car parking lot at Rancho San Rafael Park.

This last one was another enjoyable hike offered free, as most of their local activities, by the Sierra Club. I had hiked about 25 miles with 5,000 feet gain, total, for my own two-day trip.

I mainly just needed a polyester T, organic cotton cap, and nylon shorts for my hiking. Of course, I always carry plenty of warm clothes, and rainwear, stuffed in my climbing pack, in event of problems. On Ralston Peak, my socks and regular nylon hiking boots became wet from the snow tromping, but that just helped to make me cooler, this day. I did use an old pair of gaitors. And yes, SPF 50 sunscreen was indispensable. Be sure to always wear UV-blocking dark glasses, since you can lose 15% of your vision from high-altitude snowblindness just in an hour or so.

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