Backcountry Peter Grubb Hut Trip

PETER GRUBB HUT: Located on the southern edge of Round Valley below Basin and Castle peaks, the Sierra Club’s Peter Grubb Hut occupies an ideal winter playground. Those staying at the hut have spectacular skiable terrain off of the Castle-Basin ridge at their fingertips, an area known for offering a diversity of descent options from intermediate glades to expert couloirs and chutes.

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Peter Grubb Hut BackCountry TripSIG 1MTN 2What is this?
DEC
23-25
2016

PETER GRUBB HUT: Located on the southern edge of Round Valley below Basin and Castle peaks, the Sierra Club’s Peter Grubb Hut occupies an ideal winter playground. Those staying at the hut have spectacular skiable terrain off of the Castle-Basin ridge at their fingertips, an area known for offering a diversity of descent options from intermediate glades to expert couloirs and chutes. Loaner gear is available to paid members. Maximum: 6. MTN2, SIG 1, Avalanche Level 1 and backcountry experience recommended. For SMC paid or free members only. Not a member? Join here.

PLEASE JOIN THE INTEREST LIST HERE - SIGN IN, THEN CLICK THE ORANGE BOX "PLEASE ADD ME TO THE INTEREST LIST". SEE BELOW FOR MORE DETAILS.

http://clairtappaanlodge.com/peter-grubb-hut

http://www.outdoorproject.com/adventures/california/lodging/peter-grubb-ski-hut

http://onthesummit.net/wordpress/activities/trails/peter-grubb-hut/

DETAILS
HOW TO JOIN THIS EVENT: Please read all the content of this posting, then if you are interested in attending, see section below titled "How to Join the Interest List"

COST: $50, to cover hut fee. Please pay Richard upon arrival. DATES: December 23-25. Start traverse at 4AM PST on December 23, 2016

LOCATION: Peter Grubb Hut is located below Castle Peak in Round Valley, 3 miles north of the Castle Peak trailhead near I-80. Expect approximately 800′ of elevation gain. The route is poorly marked by orange triangles mounted obscurely in trees at 100-200 yard intervals. Overnight parking is available at the California Sno-Park at the Boreal-Castle Peak exit on I-80. Park on the frontage road east of the Boreal Inn and walk back under the freeway to the trailhead. Topo map: Norden 7-1/2′ quad.

ROUTE: The trailhead is located on the north side of the offramp for Boreal ski resort on Hwy 80. Where the trail starts depends on the time of the year and how much of the unpaved road is accessible. In the winter the trail starts right at the end o the road on the north side of the Boreal off ramp. This road is only a loading area and parking is only available at the SnoPark at the end of Bunny Hill Rd on the south side of Hwy 80 (a SnoPark pass is required during the winter and can be purchased at many locations) . Parking in the winter on holidays and weekends can be challenging with only limited parking in the SnoPark on Bunny Hill Dr near Boreal. In the summer when the snow is clear and the road is dry, it is possible to drive almost a mile up the unpaved road (4 wheel drive is usually not necessary unless the road is pretty wet). The farther you drive up the road the shorter the hike becomes. This guide will describe the trail from the trailhead at the start of the unpaved road

For the first mile the trail is the unpaved road and is easy to follow. The road is wet early in the summer but drys out by the end of June most years. About a half mile up the road, there is a road branching to the right into the Castle Peak bowl area. There are beautiful meadows of wild flowers in the area during the summer. At the end of the road the walking trail bears to the left up a moderately steep climb up to the top of the rocky ridge. At the top of the ridge there is an open area with a great view of Castle Peak. The trail forks here with the trail to right going up to Castle Peak summit (a strenuous climb to over 9000 ft that can be attempted for the really adventurous) and the trail to the left goes on to Round Valley and Peter Grubb. The left trail continues along the west side of the ridge and climbs up toward Round Valley and the hut. As the trail nears Round Valley it winds down into the valley and past Peter Grubb hut nestled in the trees. The hut itself is a rustic building with a kitchen, loft and dining room and an all-weather outhouse. In the winter skiers spending the night can expect to be quite close to some of the smaller wildlife of the area.

EVENT LEADERS: Richard Nguyen. 415.570.7269

MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM GROUP SIZE: The reservation is for 6 people for the hut.

CLIMBING SKILLS REQUIREMENTS: In order to be best prepared to climb safely and effectively, participants should be able to comfortably climb hills with your All Terrain skis with skins or split board with skins and couloirs with just mountain axe.

FITNESS AND DIFFICULTY LEVEL: Moderate

GETTING THERE: From Reno, NV: From downtown Reno take I-80 W towards Sacramento After 40 miles take exit 176 for Castle Peak/Boreal Ridge Rd Turn left at the end of the offramp and continue under I-80 Turn left on Bunny Hill Drive After 0.3 miles park in the Donner Summit Snow-Park lot

From Sacramento: 90 Miles; 1 hour, 30 Minutes: From Sacramento head east on I-80 After 81 miles take exit 176 for Castle Peak/Boreal Ridge Rd Turn left at the end of the offramp and continue under I-80 After 0.3 miles park in the Donner Summit Snow-Park lot

ACCOMMODATIONS AND FOOD: Provide your own freeze-dried food. We will make water at the lodge to boil your food with.

EMERGENCIES: Tahoe Forest Hospital - 10121 Pine Ave, Truckee, CA 96161 (530) 587-6011

ITINERARY
Day 1: December 23: Start traverse at 5AM PST from Trailhead. Arrive to Peter Grubb Hut approximately at 10AM. We will unload. Head up to Basin Peak area. At the Basin Peak area is where we will dig a snow put and test the snow pack.

Day 2: December 24: Up for Discussion what to Ski/snowboard. Castle Ridge, Carpenter Ridge. Once a destination is determined, we will dig the 2nd snow pit to test the snow pact at the new location. Decide to ski/snowboard.

Day 3: December 25: If permitting, backcountry runs in the morning, head back by 11AM for the traverse out back to the car.