"Finally after all these years: Sierra Crest Traverse. Started 8:30am at Donner Pass. Hit Donner Peak and scrambled to its true summit, such a cool peak. Then up onto the ridge of Mount Judah to skirt a snow bench and onto the summit. Had to detour to a narrow section of a huge snow bench to get up onto the ridge of the PCT headed toward Mount Anderson. Ducked into Benson Hut for lunch and then tried to head up the slopes of Mt. Anderson. Despite my crampons holding well, my brother’s microspikes weren’t up to the conditions so we headed around Anderson through some snowy stretches. Anderson tempted me, so went offtrail through meadow and then talus up its mellow southern slopes along ridgeline. Next up was Tinker Peak, highest peak of the day with a fun little scramble to a supreme vantage point. We started dragging a bit after the long descent from Tinker and really dragging on the 1.4 mile gradual climb to the Granite Peak Trail junction. Minimal snow on that trail, but it was a long 3.4 mile descent down to the Palisades parking lots. A classic day out. " — scott • Jun 22, 2024

"Finally after all these years: Sierra Crest Traverse. Started 8:30am at Donner Pass. Hit Donner Peak and scrambled to its true summit, such a cool peak. Then up onto the ridge of Mount Judah to skirt a snow bench and onto the summit. Had to detour to a narrow section of a huge snow bench to get up onto the ridge of the PCT headed toward Mount Anderson. Ducked into Benson Hut for lunch and then tried to head up the slopes of Mt. Anderson. Despite my crampons holding well, my brother’s microspikes weren’t up to the conditions so we headed around Anderson through some snowy stretches. Anderson tempted me, so went offtrail through meadow and then talus up its mellow southern slopes along ridgeline. Next up was Tinker Peak, highest peak of the day with a fun little scramble to a supreme vantage point. We started dragging a bit after the long descent from Tinker and really dragging on the 1.4 mile gradual climb to the Granite Peak Trail junction. Minimal snow on that trail, but it was a long 3.4 mile descent down to the Palisades parking lots. A classic day out. " — scott • Jun 22, 2024

"Great short hike up the PCT and then up the spur to Donner Peak. Wildflowers in full bloom. This is a really cool peak with some interesting tiramisu-like turrets at the summit. Wandered around a bit to find an easy way to the true summit, some fun slab scrambling. Great views down to Donner Lake and south down the Sierra Crest." — scott • Jul 13, 2022

"Very enjoyable winter outing to Castle Peak and Basin Peak from the Boreal parking lot. The snow was very firm in the early morning, and I was able to make it to the summit with bare boots/microspikes in under 2h. I did climb the cl. 3 summit block (east tower). I'm not a great climber, but there are plenty of good holds up the near-vertical 30 ft route. From Castle, I followed the ridge to Basin Peak, still in bare boots as the ridge was only half snow-covered. I put on the snowshoes and dropped SW off the summit, going cross country down sunny slopes and along a forested creek to the tranquil and snow-covered round valley. I crossed the meadow to the Peter Grubb Hut, then followed the PCT back to Castle Pass. Finished off the day with a hike up Andesite Peak. ~5:10h RT. A very satisfying hike for not too much effort. 10/10!" — klotito • Jan 17, 2021

"Very enjoyable winter outing to Castle Peak and Basin Peak from the Boreal parking lot. The snow was very firm in the early morning, and I was able to make it to the summit with bare boots/microspikes in under 2h. I did climb the cl. 3 summit block (east tower). I'm not a great climber, but there are plenty of good holds up the near-vertical 30 ft route. From Castle, I followed the ridge to Basin Peak, still in bare boots as the ridge was only half snow-covered. I put on the snowshoes and dropped SW off the summit, going cross country down sunny slopes and along a forested creek to the tranquil and snow-covered round valley. I crossed the meadow to the Peter Grubb Hut, then followed the PCT back to Castle Pass. Finished off the day with a hike up Andesite Peak. ~5:10h RT. A very satisfying hike for not too much effort. 10/10!" — klotito • Jan 17, 2021