Sand Ridge Lake/Andesite Peak

Thursday, August 20, 2009

 DIFFICULTY:   Moderate.  This hike has a couple of very steep sections with loose rock, and some nearly steep sections with more loose rock.

 ELEVATION GAIN:  700 ft. Elevation at top is about 7900 ft.

 HIKE DISTANCE:  9+ miles

 GENERAL LOCATION:  I-80 at Pacific Crest Trail

 DESCRIPTION:  The hike begins at the end of a paved road accessible from the Boreal Ridge exit, on the North side of I-80.  The hike follows a poorly maintained access road, with some shade, for about a mile, then connects with the Pacific Crest Trail, then climbs a LONG uphill grade to Castle Pass.  Views of Castle Peak are available in the breaks in the tree line.  The meadows in the beautiful Round Valley, past the peak may still have some wildflowers.  After passing the Peter Grubb Hut, we take a shady trail to the left called the Hole In The Ground Trail.  Some trail signs call this the HITG Trail to save space.  At a trail junction about ½ mile along that trail, we follow the signs for Sand Ridge Lake.  The last half mile into the lake requires finding a trail sign on top of some rocks, and is steeper, but it leads to a really nice place for lunch, with great views of the lake.  On the return hike, we will follow the HITG Trail with a significant grade to Andesite Peak, then down some gentle switchbacks, with most of the trail downhill and in the shade.  The final half mile of the hike is the access road we started on.

 TRAVEL TIME/DISTANCE: One and three quarter hours each way. One way distance is about 75 miles. This is a $12 driver donation. Detailed driving directions will be handed out to all drivers.  We should be back about 5:00.

 HIKE LEADER/SWEEP:  Dick Mayeur/Sue Geisler

 SPECIAL NOTES:

         FACILITIES AVAILABLE:  None, so we will stop at Nyack.

         PREPARATIONS FOR HIKE:  Refer to #8 and #9 in the “Hike information and Guidelines” on our web site. Bring lunch, water, mosquito repellent, and sunscreen.  Hiking poles are recommended for some areas.

          RISKS:  High elevation (7000 ft. +), steep trail sections, a couple of narrow sections on the trail, with sharp drop offs.

 QUESTIONS: Dick Mayeur 408-4022

 MEETING TIME: 7:30 in the Orchard Creek Parking lot - leaving time is 7:45

 Driving Directions:

 Please remember that Interstate 80 is under construction beyond Colfax.  Traffic delays are common.

Take I-80 East to the Castle Peak/Boreal Ridge exit.  The Eastbound exit was closed for construction as of Friday, July 24, but bright orange signs directed drivers to the Donner Lake exit, and a “U” turn, adding about 15 minutes to the drive.  However we make this exit, drive North from the exit and drive to the end of this road which has signs for the Tahoe National Forest Trailhead, Donner Summit, Pacific Crest Trail Parking area.