From the Boreal parking lot go under the freeway and follow the road up to the right and find a place to park. 6mi — It can be reached several ways, from Provincial Park on the north, the PCT on the west or Freezeout Creek on the east. come early in the morning for one of many parking spots and bring some bug spray for the 1st 2 miles since you are in a shaded… Photo by Mary West. Judah, Mt. Hiked late December, two days after it had snowed 2". Good challenge on the way up for sure.
In a mile and half the trail will start to climb and you'll reach a junction at Castle Pass.
Castle Peak is names for the volcanic rock formations etched by wind, rain and snow at its peak standing like castle turrets more than nine-thousand feet above sea level. The views east are quite good, especially with a colorful sun rise. It can be reached several ways, from Provincial Park on the north, the PCT on the west or Freezeout Creek on the east. From exit 176 on the freeway, park on the north side of the highway at the Castle Valley Road parking area (or, with high clearance, drive about a mile up the road and save yourself a little bit). You also take over half the elevation in the last mile (about 1100 feet of it), so prepare for a serious leg workout going up and a slippery time on the way down. The approach is very mild, but has lots of running and sitting water so be prepared for bugs. Great hike! Don't really need poles for going up but you'll be glad you have them on the way down. If you have the time, you can also hike over to Andesite Peak or Basin Peak.Only a stones' throw from the interstate 80 near Donner Summit, Castle Peak offers a snowshoe hike as challenging as many backcountry trails.
3h 00m If you still have an appetite for more, then continue towards the final ascent of Castle Peak.The final hike to the summit may not really be at a 45-degree angle but it sure feels like it. An Adventure Projects staff member will review this and take an appropriate action, but we generally don't reply. After the PCT reconnects, you have no shade for the last 1-1.5 miles to the peak. You may need to download version 2.0 now from the Short but ascent is pretty damn strenuous.
It was well worth it though for the views and the workout. With its three turrets reaching above the landscape, Castle Peak (elevation 9,103) is one of the icons of Donner Summit. Once you hit a mile and a half, the accent is pretty in your face; most of it is along a ridge which allows for some nice views. Great hike. In a word: killer! Aug 16, 2016 near Epic hike. RECOMMENDED ROUTE oh don't forget bug spray. Don't be fooled by the first mile though - the top section gets much steeper and rockier.You can make this hike longer and prettier by using the RECOMMENDED ROUTE A friendly chipmonk wanders by at the top of Castle Peak. Photo by Mary West Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.One of the easiest peaks (9100') to hike in the Tahoe area and is doable as a day hike from the Bay Area. From the ridgeline you look to your left (north) and see a beautiful green valley and ahead and to the right you can see your destination.
I've also once encountered mosquitoes on the hike in the lower section.
