Hello,

I need suggestions for a snowshoeing weekend from the bay area. I didn't find much resources dedicated to snowshoeing trails in the Sierras. Plenty of hiking books, but w/o snowshoe-specific notes.

Where is a good place to start? (Would love to snowshoe in Lassen but I hear that April is the time for it.) My Foghorn's "California Hiking" guide describes hikes in the southern Tahoe region (where I'd never hiked). Is that one of the closest place to snowshoe from the bay area? ps. less drive time & more trail time is always happiness. As a novice I want to go somewhere with both easy & moderate trails, & offers at least some views for rewards. Could you give me some pointers? I hear that you had a trip last month & thought perhaps I could hear about your experience.

Thanks in advance!

One of the closest places to go for snowshoe or xc to the Bay Area is Bear Valley. You can pay the trail fee and hike around the groomed meadow tracks or you can go to the end of the road, park and hike up the road to Ebbets Pass, about 7 miles one way with an elevation gain of 1,300'. You can hike down the access road (Forest route 7N17) to the Utica Reservoir, 4 miles one way downhill, 600 foot climb coming back. If you are not adverse to possibly blazing your own trail, start at the Alpine Lake Campgrounds and Hike to the Stanislaus river via Duck Lake and you can do a loop of 12 miles coming out via the Utica reservoir and forest route 7N17. Or, pull out your Topo and plan you own trip. These are just a few suggestions. I have not spent much time in Bear Valley recently, I used to teach xc skiing up there in the 70's, so be sure to get the most up to date info you can before going.

Paul
www.svimages.com

Thank you Paul, for your suggestions. I'll definitely check it out & may be find a ranger (?) that can give me some guidance. Sorry about replying so late I haven't checked this msg board lately.

Happy trails.

I like this link
http://books.google.c...

Chapter 9 has list of easy to get to trails from bay area.

I like snowshoeing from Carson Pass to Winnamuca Lake, Round top Lake... this is off 88.
It's beautiful.

I love kayaking Utica reservoir, but I've never been there for snowshoeing.
I have to check it out....

Atsuko (newbie)

Thank you Thank you!

AM I love your picture ... where was it taken?