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Informationen zum Autor Mike White was raised in the southeast suburbs of Portland, Oregon, in the shadow of Mt. Hood (whenever the Pacific Northwest skies cleared enough to allow such things as shadows). As a teenager, Mike began hiking, backpacking, and climbing in the Cascades of Oregon and Washington, and he honed his outdoor skills while attending Seattle Pacific University. After acquiring a B.A. in political science, Mike and his new wife, Robin, relocated to the high desert of Reno, Nevada, from where he discovered the joys of exploring the Sierra Nevada. After leaving his last “real” job, Mike began a full-time writing career. He is the author or coauthor of 19 outdoor guides, including award-winning books “Top Trails Lake Tahoe” and “50 Classic Hikes in Nevada.” Mike also has contributed to “Sunset and Backpacker” magazines and the “Reno Gazette Journal” newspaper. A former community college instructor, Mike is also a popular featured speaker for outdoor groups. Klappentext This book showcases more than 200 great day-hikes in the Lake Tahoe region Leseprobe PCT: Donner Summit to Donner Pass Distance 3.5 miles (point-to-point) Hiking Time 2–3 hours Elevation +525/-625 feet Difficulty Moderate Trail Use Dogs OK Best Times July through October Agency Tahoe National Forest at 530-587-3558, www.fs.usda.gov/tahoe Recommended Map USGS 7.5-minute Norden HIGHLIGHTS The 3.5-mile section of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) between Donner Summit (I-80) and Donner Pass (Old Highway 40) isn’t the most stupendous stretch of the famous trail, but hikers looking for a nice picnic spot with decent views won’t be disappointed with the scenery. Wildflowers lift the spirits of passersby until midseason, and rock climbers will find plenty of challenging bouldering routes all summer long. DIRECTIONS Start: West of Donner Summit, take the Castle Peak/Boreal Ridge Road exit from I-80. Drive to the frontage road on the south side of the freeway and proceed east 0.3 mile to the Pacific Crest Trail parking area. End: From I-80, take the Soda Springs/Norden exit and travel 3.7 miles east on the old Donner Pass Road to Donner Pass; make a right-hand turn onto a narrow paved road. Travel south 0.2 mile to a dirt road branching west, which is the start of the trail. Park your vehicle along the side of the road as space allows, paying close attention to the signed no-parking areas in the vicinity. FACILITIES/TRAILHEAD Start: The large PCT–Donner Summit parking lot has trailer parking, pit toilets, picnic tables, and running water in season. The well-marked trail begins on the northwest side of the parking lot. End: In recent years, there has been a portable toilet near the trailhead. Parking is extremely limited. If space is not available in the vicinity, you may have to park closer to the highway. The trail begins at the start of the dirt road near a series of trail signs. DESCRIPTION From the parking lot, follow a well-signed gravel path to a stone bridge over a seasonal stream and continue on dirt track through lodgepole pines, western white pines, and white firs. You’ll soon encounter a junction with the Glacier Meadow Loop, where you veer right and continue eastbound toward the Pacific Crest Trail. After a short distance, you come to a second junction with the Glacier Meadow Loop, where you veer to the right again. Pass by a shallow pond, where mountain hemlocks join the mixed forest, and then make a short descent to the Pacific Crest Trail junction near the edge of a grassy, willow-filled meadow, a half mile from the trailhead. Turn right and proceed southbound on the PCT, on a mild climb through mixed forest. You’ll pass a low, open knoll to the left and then a small pond to the right before emerging from ...
