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SUMMARY
On this out and back snowshoe hike in Tahoe National Forest, Donner Pass Area, and the high Sierras, we will snowshoe to and from Andesite Peak for about 5 miles with an elevation gain of about 1,000 feet.

MEETING TIMES AND PLACES
For carpooling, meet 7:30am at a park & ride lot next to Shell gas station on Taylor Rd in Roseville, and the address is 1821 Taylor Rd, Roseville, CA 95661. Suggested carpool gas money, the current price of gas per gallon.
For those meeting directly at the trailhead, meet 9:00am at the beginning of Castle Pass Rd after finding parking at Donner Summit Sno-Park, and the address for locating the sno-park is 19455 Bunny Hill Dr, Soda Springs, CA 95728.
Also, all drivers must have a valid season or day sno-park pass, and can be purchase from the following link;
https://secure.cloudwisesolutions.com/app/products.html

SNOWSHOE HIKE INFORMATION AND ESSENTIALS
SNOWSHOE HIKE LEVEL: Intermediate and hard due to hills and high altitude.
DISTANCE: About 5 miles roundtrip, 2.5 miles out, then 2.5 miles back.
ELEVATION: About 1,000 feet.

SNOWSHOE HIKE ROUTE: We will start walking and carrying our snowshoes down Bunny Hill Dr and Donner Summit Sno-Park, then go under the freeway to the beginning of Castle Valley Rd just north of I-80. The snowshoe hike will start at the beginning of Castle Valley Rd which is snowed in throughout winter and early spring, then snowshoe uphill for about 2 miles on Castle Valley Rd to Castle Pass, then turn left and snowshoe uphill on the ridge for about 1/2 of a mile to Andesite Peak . We will have lunch at or near the peak for about 30 minutes and take in the views.
After lunch, we will snowshoe back the same routes downhill to the end of Castle Valley Rd just north of I-80 for about 2.5 miles.
Also, dogs are allowed.

SNOWSHOE HIKE ESSENTIALS: Bring snowshoes, ski poles, waterproof jacket and pants/gaiters, waterproof boots, warm clothing made out of wool or polypro (no cotton), sun protection gear (sunglasses, hat, etc), lots of water, snacks/small lunch, something waterproof to sit on during lunch if needed, electrolytes, first aid kit, plastic bags to put your trash in, cell phone for emergencies, and a map/compass if needed.

REFERENCE: More detailed information about snowshoeing to Andesite Peak can be found on the following links;
https://www.norcalhiker.com/snowshoeing-andesite-peak/
http://hustzkergies.blogspot.com/2017/04/snowshoeing-andesite-peak.html?m=1

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