Hike to and from Peter Grubb Hut and Sand Ridge Lake in the Sierras

SUMMARY
On this out and back hike in Tahoe National Forest, and the high Sierras near Donner Summit and Castle Peak, we will hike to and from Peter Grubb Hut and Sand Ridge Lake for about 8.5 miles with an overall elevation gain of about 1,400 feet via Castle Valley North Rd, Pacific Crest Trail, Sand Ridge Lake Trail, and Hole-in-the-ground Trail through alpine meadows, pine forest, and granite rocky terrain with views of Castle Peak, Basin Peak, Andesite Peak, and other nearby mountains.

MEETING TIMES AND PLACES
For carpooling, meet 8:00am at Sunsplash park and ride next to Shell Gas Station on Taylor Rd in Roseville, and the address is 1821 Taylor Rd, Roseville, CA 95661. Please pay carpool driver the current price of gas per gallon.

For those meeting directly at trailhead, meet 9:30am at Castle Peak Trailhead located at the end of paved Castle Peak (or Boreal Ridge Rd) and just off of I-80 Freeway, and one of Google GPS coordinators for locating the trailhead is 39.341001, -120.347594.

HIKING INFORMATION AND ESSENTIALS
DIFFICULTY: Moderate to hard due to distance, hills, and high altitude.
DISTANCE: About 8.5 miles.

ELEVATION: About 1,400 feet in overall elevation gain.

ROUTE: Start at Castle Peak Trailhead, hike uphill on Castle Valley North Rd for about 1.5 miles, then turn left and hike on a connecting trail for a very short distance of about 300 feet, then continue up and downhill on the Pacific Crest Trail (and the Peter Grubb Hut is to the left along the way) for about 1 mile, then turn left and hike downhill on the Sand Ridge Lake Trail or trail number 14E11 for about 1/2 of a mile, then turn right and hike on the Hole-in-the-ground Trail (please be on the alert for bikes) or trail number 14E25 for about 1 mile, then turn left and hike up on Sand Ridge Trail or trail number 14E11(or 14E18) for about 1/4 of a mile to Sand Ridge Lake. After spending some time at Sand Ridge Lake, hike downhill on Sand Ridge Trail or trail number 14E11(or 14E18) for about 1/4 of a mile, then turn right and hike on Hole-in-the ground Trail or trail number 14E25 for about 1 mile, then turn left and hike uphill on Sand Ridge Lake Trail or trail number 14E11 for about 1/2 of a mile, then turn right and hike up and downhill on the Pacific Crest Trail for about 1 mile, then continue on a connecting trail for a very short distance of about 300 feet, then turn right and hike downhill on Castle Valley North Rd for about 1.5 miles.

ESSENTIALS: Bring lots of water, small lunch/snacks, sun protection (hat, sunglasses, etc), hiking boots, hiking poles if needed, first aid kit, insect repellent spray, etc.
REFERENCE: Information about practicing leave no trace principles can be found on the following link; https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/