PACIFIC CREST TRAIL
I-80 Trailhead to Rainbow Bridge
In-and-Out with selectable One-Way car drop off option
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate for members who opt for the one-way car drop option.
Strenuous in-and-out hike based on distance and 7,300 foot
atlitude.
ELEVATION GAIN: 600 feet for the one-way option or 1,200 feet for the in-and-out.
Highest elevation: 7,300 feet. Lowest elevation: 6,800
feet.
HIKE DISTANCE: 4.5 miles one-way or 9 miles in-and-out after a small lollypop loop to check out some petroglyphs.
GENERAL LOCATION: PCT Trailhead off I-80 near Boreal Ski Area to the Rainbow Bridge on Donner Pass Road (Historical Highway 40).
DESCRIPTION:
The PCT is a well engineered trail that takes us past several small
alpine lakes and giant granite formations. We pass through
forested areas and stare in awe at giant pine trees growing out of
solid granite. A series of switchbacks above Historical Highway
40 offer us a unique view of the graceful Rainbow Bridge and Donner
Lake. After reaching Highway 40 a short one mile lollypop loop
gets us to the snow sheds and abandoned train tracks below Mount Judah
then down to some very interesting petroglyphs on granite slabs.
The petroglyph area makes for a good lunch spot while being entertained
by nearby rock climbers. A short walk on the highway shoulder gets us
to the Rainbow Bridge that affords a wonderful view of Donner
Lake. After our teary-eyed goodbye to the one-way hikers we cross
the bridge and take a short rabbit trail back to the PCT for the return
hike.
TRAVEL TIME/DISTANCE:
90 minutes / 70 miles to the PCT Trailhead. We’ll have
about 30 minutes of socializing at the trailhead while we coordinate
and drop off some cars at the Rainbow Bridge vista point for the
one-way hikers. We should be finishing lunch at the petroglyphs
around noon or 12:30 PM which gets the one-way hikers back to Lincoln
around 2:00 PM. In-and-out hikers will get back to Lincoln around
4:30 PM. A donation of $12.00 is suggested for all riders.
HIKE LEADER / SWEEP: Mike Nusink / Chris Wefers
FACILITIES:
Two old school cinder block toilets at the PCT trailhead. They
are smelly but clean. No toilet facilities at the Rainbow Bridge
vista.
PREPARATION FOR HIKE:
1)
Bring a copy of your ID (drivers license), health card, and emergency
contact name and phone number with you when you hike.
2) If you have any health issues, please consider your condition before hiking.
3)
Always bring two pairs of shoes along with a plastic bag to store your
muddy/dusty boots.
4) Bring lunch and water. Trekking poles are always recommended but not required.
5) Mosquitos: They may or may not be active, prepare for the worst.
RISKS:
There were several trees down across the trail during the
pre-hike. They will most likely have been removed but we should
be prepared to climb over/under downed trees just in case. There
are a couple of short vertical drop offs from solid granite but the
trail is about 4 feet wide in those areas.
QUESTIONS: Call Mike Nusink 543-6555 or Chris Wefers 408-0387
MEETING TIME: 7:15 AM LEAVING TIME: 7:30 AM
RETURN TIME: 2:00 pm (one-way)
4:30 PM (in-and-out)
PREHIKE PHOTOS
A special thanks to Ed Murach for providing the following charts
MAP OF TRAIL
ELEVATION PROFILE OF TRAIL
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