Backpacking out of the snow-filled Tahoe Basin 2: The Trailhead to the Burnt Area Camp

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Day one: March 18, 2010. Departing the South Upper Truckee trail head for a four night tour of Round Lake, Round Top Lake, Showers Lake and back to Round Lake.

Hot conditions and very soft snow greeted me when I started my trip. Snow shoes were sinking in over six inches per step. I had to adjust my walking rhythm to account for the time it took each step to sink in.

These conditions were not unexpected, but the shock of a 60 lb pack on the first day, while carrying this load through the altitude acclimation line (7000) feet, through soft snow is not to be scoffed at.

The air was 41 degrees, and gusts were blowing up, but I was well sheltered in the arms of Christmas Valley and its dense forests.

The South Upper Truckee trailhead sits at 6520 feet, but climbs quickly to 8000 feet at Round Lake, maybe four miles South of the trailhead.

Above: Last climb up to burnt area. Looking towards gap shortcut to Big Meadow.

Leaving so late in the day made that destination impossible, but I figured I would "hustle" up to the burned area that had opened up an overlook into the Lake Tahoe Basin. This burnt flat sits a little over a mile South of the trail head. This video shows me making my way up to the burnt area.

Though I note little bits of informally blazed trail,

as well as bits of trail bed in the video as indicated in the picture above, do not expect to find trail here in the Winter, especially after recent storms. Many times have I broke a trail here on my own, and many times I have found one already broken. You can never depend on having a trail or finding trail during Winter at this location. On this day I did both. In some places I found little bits of compressed snow that indicated the location of the trail bed, while in others I had to break through the virgin snow.

It is important to adjust your schedule and expectations as conditions change. Many will find that travel time to their trailheads, as well as weather and snow conditions, also have to be considered in trip planning. 

As the snow was holding me to a little better than  two hours per mile, it was a snail-paced race to get up to the burnt area before the sun came down.

Above: Christmas Valley comes into view from the burnt area campsite.

Last Video: To the Trailhead with Steve

Refs

Trail Guide: Meyers South Upper Truckee trail head. See this page for links to maps, mileages, elevations, and related trail guide pages.

Interactive Map: Click the colored points for the related trail guide page

Videos: Considerations in Preparation for a Spring Snow Backpacking Trip

Post you snow routes, adventures, tips, or questions and comments below, or on the home page....