Bay Area BPL Winter Camping Thread

Pretty sure I'm still in I just have a lot of stuff to take care of that weekend, it would be better the next weekend for me, but if not I think I can still break away. Are we going to need snow shoes or is it to early to tell. That will be my next issue I will need to get a rental pair at REI in Fresno befroe they close on the Fri. before we go. I need to know exactly where we are going so I can estimate miles and driving time. Do we also need to carry chains for our vehicle? Thanks Jack

Morgan….are you hosting that dice game in your 10×10?

Hey Jack….

Yes on the snowshoes.

Yes on the chains unless you have all wheel drive.

Put "Soda Springs" in google maps.

Thanks David

The Boreal exit is about 2.5 miles east of Soda Springs exit. Then at Boreal, the Sno-park area is another 150 yards east.

Normally, foot travelers heading toward Round Valley form up on the north side of the Boreal exit. That is where the unplowed jeep road begins.

If the snow is deep, Castle Peak can avalanche onto Castle Pass, which is along your route.

–B.G.–

I am in,and I have a request. I can't afford snowshoes right now but I can rent some at the university; only possible problem is that they only have MSR Denali's at 30" and I am rather small for those. Can I rent some smaller ones from anyone else, or does anyone have suggestions on where I can rent some?
Thanks, Katharina

Katharina-

I have an extra pair of Atlas 25" snowshoes that you are welcome to borrow.

thanks David.

you bring the dice, I'll bring the tarp.

Hi, folks!

I just wanted to let you know about a great resource we have here in Northern California. Mtn Ned teaches a snow course at Echo Lake, which I took this past weekend. It’s mostly aimed at PCT thru-hikers, but it does teach the basics of camping in the snow, route finding in winter and self-arrest skills.

Ned is a great teacher who loves what he does. He has extensive hiking (PCT & CDT) and ski-touring experience in the Sierras. There is no charge for the class – only donations accepted.

More info can be found here:
http://postholer.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=25&sid=206fa14d8c74853ea04f58a353f28527

I posted some photos from the class here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/alfrescosf/sets/72157623210148399/show/

I’d love to get the word out about the course, so please share this info. (I have no affiliation, just a happy graduate!)

If you have any questions about the class, feel free to contact me directly.

Happy Trails –
Lisa

Lisa did you get your platy back? You let me use it to put the wine in, I left it in the food locker at Point Reyes and forgot to check if you took it. If not let me know and I will replace it for you. Thanks Jack

Speaking of snow shoes does any one have a pair I can borrow? I'm 5'9" 205 lbs? If not I'll stick to my other plan of renting at REI. Thanks Jack

Hi Ken and gang,

Unfortunately can't make that weekend, though would have loved to. Love snow backpacking. Swamped by work after two weekend trips.

I just got back from a weekend trip to the exact same area so happy to share some helpful info. First trip to Tahoe since moving to the Bay Area last year.

Would have replied even sooner except that I often stop getting alerts on forums I'm watching. I seem to always get the alerts at the beginning, and then will stop getting them later – exact same thing happened with the Point Reyes thread. I wouldn't even have realized unless I checked Last 50 Posts today. I'll follow up with BPL and also check if some alert emails are going to my gmail spam box.

We stayed at Clair Tappaan Lodge right next to Boreal and also close to Peter Grubb. You should keep Clair Tappaan Lodge in mind as a nearby emergency location – it's staffed and has tel/email.

Snowshoe rental:

You can rent snowshoes from CTL, though they don't have tons of them. They are mostly tubular style but there are a few MSR LAs donated by a store. You can call them up and check.

A better option would probably be to rent snowshoes on the way up – there are several places that rent off of 80 (I can check with someone in my party who knows them) and in the Bay Area I have heard there are good rental options in Berkeley and San Jose. You can also probably rent at nearby resorts like Boreal and Tahoe Donner. Also The Backcountry about 20 min away in Truckee is a good option. I'd give these places a call.

Type of snowshoe:

You'll probably be fine on the terrain you'll be on with any decent snowshoe. Try to borrow other people's snowshoes during the trip if you are in the market for them. After having tried Northern Lites and MSR LAs, I found the NLs, because they are tubular and don't have crampons all around the frame, faster, especially running down hill, but the MSR LAs grip much more securely and are better on slopes, especially when they are icy or hardpacked. I found MSR Denalis very noisy but have been told they edge slopes the best. MSR LAs are a nice compromise for Sierra cement between the heavier harder Denalis and tubular NLs. Whatever you use, avoid stepping on the snow at the base of trees where you see a lot of branches and on spots where you see the tops of bushes – people in my group plunged up to 18 in. in spots near bushes. Most people will be fine, but carrying a pack and doing that can put a lot of stress on tendons/ligaments.

As noted above, a few zip ties and hose clamps are useful for snowshoe repair.

Bear canisters:

As stated above, not necessary. I've been told by our very experienced group leader that bears don't hang in the area in winter because there's plentiful food in Truckee, so they don't bother hibernating/slowing down and head down there. That said, during milder conditions the CTL hut manager once ran into a bear in the middle of the hallway and for that reason the lodge door lever was replaced with a round knob, which is harder for bears to open.

Shovel:

Given a choice on winter trips I would definitely bring a real shovel and not a Claw. It's much more functional. Also, if you ever have to dig someone out, you will need a shovel. Keep in mind that while the risk is likely low for the terrain you'll be on (though always pay attention to weather and avalanche reports), avalanches can happen even in terrain that you wouldn't consider high risk. This weekend an experienced backcountry skier in my group showed us a part of the trail we were on with a relatively small bank of snow to the right side that was identical a small bank that gave way on a group at another location in Tahoe. I was shocked given how small the hill was.

Temperature:

It was high 20s to low 30s, snowing steadily and windy the first two days, sunny and warmer the last day, but heard the daytime temp was going to dip to teens the day we left. Check the weather report.

Some clothing notes:

I was very comfortable during medium activity during the overcast windy days wearing a light Ibex merino base layer bottom and high-collared top, Arcteryx Gamma MX softshell pants, Patagonia R1 Hoody, Patagonia Ready Mix softshell jacket, OR softshell hat, Ibex wool briefs, merino socks (one layer), medium weight gloves and Keen Growler Boots with 200g thinsulate. I brought thin Ibex merino and synthetic glove liners but didn't need them. TR Energy Overboots (first time I used them) added warmth and kept my boots dryer when I used them with snowshoes. I carried a Montbell Thermawrap hooded parka to throw on during rest stops and a Montbell CCF sit pad. If I were sleeping outside I would have taken my Patagonia DAS Parka, which is warmer and heavier, and Patagonia Micropuff pants.

Sunglasses/goggles:

When it's overcast, which it often is, and you are moving among trees, if you have interchangeable lenses it's worth bringing your intermediate copper lenses in addition to your darker color. If it's very windy, goggles work much better and add further warmth, and many goggles are colored for overcast conditions.

Water carriers:

In Vermont and upstate NY we used to have to carry water inside our jackets next to our bodies to keep it from freezing and used to use a wide-mouth Platy. Drinking tubes would freeze. In the Tahoe area it's generally warm enough during the day for drinking tubes not to freeze even without insulating them and narrow mouth Platys were fine.

Good places to gather for dinner on the way back:

Friend of mine mentioned 2 steak places well worth the stop off 80 on the way back.

In Roseville:

Cattlemens, 2000 Taylor Road, (916) 782-5587, http://www.beststeakinthewest.com/ : north side of 80, exit Eureka Road, cross over freeway to Taylor Road (first stop light), turn left and follow Taylor Road back over the freeway, turn right at first driveway: serving all-you-can-eat salad with mouth-watering Harris Ranch steaks. Often a wait – Call ahead, make a reservation, while still coming down the mountain.

In Dixon:

Cattlemens, 250 Dorset Court, 707-678-5518, http://www.beststeakinthewest.com/ : south side of 80, take the Dixon/Highway 113/Rio Vista exit, take a left and go over the freeway, take first right and follow to end of road: serving all-you-can-eat salad with mouth-watering Harris Ranch steaks. Often a wait – Call ahead, make a reservation, while still coming down the mountain.

Driving planning:

Factor traffic patterns into when you leave for the trip and when you head out for the return. It took us only 3.5 hours up from Palo Alto and 4 hours back, but weekend before when tons of people headed to resorts after an 8 ft powder dump, and weather was bad on Sunday, it took a friend living 15 minutes south of us 12 hours to get home. The resort traffic usually heads out 3:30-5:30PM Sunday. So leaving before 3PM or after 5:30PM is a good idea – we left the area at 5:30PM and only got caught in traffic twice for 5 minutes each time, once right near Boreal on 80 and the other time on 80 near Sacramento.

Sleep and sit pads:

Even if you are bringing a warm winter inflatable pad, bring a good 3/8 CCF pad (I use the GG 3/8 60 in.) – if you puncture your bad, the CCF will be enough to get you through the night. You can also use that as a sit pad for your snow kitchen.

Tent stakes and anchors:

You don't need to bring any stakes, cloth anchors or wood stakes – just find 5-8 in. pieces of deadwood and use them as anchors.

Stove stand:

Don't forget to bring one or your stove will melt through the snow.

Gloves/Mitts: Bring multiple glove liners and gloves so you can dry a wet pair against your body while wearing a dry pair. Shell mitts are warmer than gloves. For this weekend you'll get by with non-waterproof mitts/gloves so long as you bring at least 2 pairs of mitts/gloves.

Chains:

Bring them. Les Schwab diamond pattern is a very good one and they have a full guarantee. You can even return them if you don't use them for the season.

For your car:

Remember to bring an ice scraper/snow brush, use windshield wiper fluid that won't freeze, and make sure your battery is in good condition. Be careful not to leave any small lights on in your car when you park up there, or you'll return to a nearly dead battery – batteries drain more quickly in the cold.

Pot/cup cozies or plastic cups:

Bring them as single-wall metal cups will lose heat fast.

Hope this was helpful. If I think of anything else I'll add.

Folks, I have to cancel due to a work obligation. Sorry. If those wanting to go and do so on the first weekend of March which is March 6-7 I can do that. Sorry for the cancellation.

I am in for March 6th, those that are interested sign up

Looks like I'm going to have to bow out also can't get off early that Fri. and its over a 6 hr drive for me. I wont be able to take a day off untill mid to late March company policy. Keep me posted. Jack

So…Since Ken H. asked for confirmations we have the following confirmed:

David L.
David W.
Josh B.
Morgan R.
Katharina P.

Ken T. – Are you coming?

There are some other names way back in the thread….these are just the confirmations since 2/1.

I will know for sure by this Fri. If I can get off early Fri. I still might be able to make it, I'll keep everyone posted. I really want to make this trip it will be my first snow trip hiking. Jack

Any body into staying up there fri, sat, sun, night and going home Monday?

I can't do it…..

Clarification….I can't do extra nights….just Saturday night….

with storms coming in all the way until Friday and the threat of avalanche on the pass coming into the bowl, I would consider not going that weekend guys. People have been killed up in that area from avalanches over the past 10 years. The snow will be quite unstable coming down the north side and can present some problems. Just my 2 cents

Thanks Ken…..I've been following the avalanche advisory closely….safety first, right?!

I'm considering fall-back locations that have less potential for problems.

I would Dave…Maybe where Hwy 4 dead ends at Bear Valley. Hike along the road and camp where you want. You just need to pick up a snow pass. No threat of avalanche there

That's a great spot. Beautiful area. Camped there last winter right next to Lake Alpine. It's right next to the Bear Valley ski area.

Plenty of inexpensive motels to stay nearby if you need a place for Friday night.

FYI There's about a 30 minute stretch of road on the way not far from there that has both a lot of small sudden hills and curves that make some people feel a little carsick, so if you're sensitive, you may want to take something. One woman carpooling with us gave me 5 seconds warning to pull over before puking her brains out (was thankful for that).

Only down note was that there were a lot of snowmobiles in the area and we even had a group of them pass near us night snowmobiling late at night. Lasted about a half hour. Otherwise it was a great weekend. Bring your earplugs just in case.

I was just up there 3 weeks ago skiing. Sounds like a good place, and…I know how to get there.