_ Date: February 13, 2012
Trail: Slate Mountain, El Dorado National Forest
Temp: 56 Degrees
Mileage: 3.00 Out and Back
Elevation Gain: 3000 – 3892
Time: 1 Hour 30 Minutes

Snow dusted the Sierra’s on Friday afternoon, and after talking with the Ranger station we decided to postpone Mount Whitney until Spring. My brother in law decided to drive down to our house from UNR on Saturday afternoon because we knew at the elevation I live at we’d have more luck finding passable trails.

After an incredible dinner of lobster bisque (made from scratch) and shrimp scampi, my husband pulled out the Crystal Basin Silver Fork Ranger Map, and identified a few trails. While we could have hiked a few trails right off the highway (such as Ellicotts near Uncle Toms), we selected the Sugar Pine Loop off in Blodgett Forest.

We started our journey to the trailhead Sunday morning at 9am. The weather was partly cloudy and a brisk 49 degrees.

We turned off Wentworth Springs Rd at Highway 13 in Quintette, and after traversing old logging roads we came across a locked gate (Nov-May). There was no snow on the trails, but admittedly this is unorthodox for this time of year.

At that point we went back out to where Highway 13 (12N64) crosses 12N60. We drove down 12N60 to a trailhead at the intersection of 11N85 and 12N60. There is a large turn out and some well traveled motorcycle trails.

Six of us (plus the baby) began our hike at the trail head marked 72. The hike begins at the bottom of dark canyon, where the Cedar grows enormously high. The path is very secluded, sans a few quads and motorcycles. Due to the nature of its location, and the dirt roads I recommend bringing two vehicles in.

The trail was well marked for the first .5 until it ran into road 12N76. At this point we could have trekked down 12N76 to a 2.2 trail but instead we followed 12N76 up the road, another .6. The road takes you up a steep incline and around a sharp switchback. At the top of the road we came across a locked gate which leads to the stop of Slate Mountain.

We passed around the gate (easily passable on foot) and continued another .4 miles until we reached the satellite station atop the mountain. The view was absolutely stunning. From this vantage point we were able to see Crozier Loop Road, all the way to Folsom Lake, the view is nearly 180 degrees. The storm was rolling in and it literally felt as if we could reach up and touch the cumulonimbus clouds forming above the mountain.

We intend to go back and attempt Sugar Pine Loop again in the fall, and though we did not get the distance we’d hoped, we certainly got the elevation gain, and we were able to start talking about the type of gear that we’ll need.

 

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_ Date: February 4, 2012
Trail: Stifle Claim, El Dorado National Forest
Temp: 56 Degrees
Mileage: 1.40 Loop
Elevation Gain: 2250 – 2500
Time: 38 Minutes

I spent a few days researching training strategies for summiting Mount Whitney, and fell short on any well documented plans. I was ideally looking for a “Hal Higdon training guide for mountain summiting” and had no luck.

Thus I have decided to journal my trek to summit Mount Whitney the first week of September with my husband, son, and brother-in-law.

My hike this afternoon was a quick prep for our upcoming Mount Rose hike, as I knew it was rocky and would be similar terrain.

I’ve hiked this trail multiple times and it’s one of my favorite local hikes. The trail head is 500 feet from the well known Mar Det trail, and has plenty of parking.

Today I was packing my son Tuck, who now weighs 17lbs, in his Infantino carrier, which is more open (and also less comfortable) than the ErgoBaby I usually use. This trail is dog friendly, though be wary as it is popular with horseback riders.

If you are a rock lover, you will find amazing specimens. There is incredulous history surrounding the Stifle Claim Trail which backs up to the Bear Creek Rock Quarry. It’s also a haven for flower lovers, though this time of year is relatively dry.

The trail follows a babbling brook until a bridge takes you across, from there the trail becomes mildly confusing, there is a hard to spot turn off to the left, which will take you up a mildly impressive elevation gain considering the low mileage. If you veer to the right you will head to a wider spot of the river (great for letting the horses drink) and can continue on towards the Mar Det trail.

After completing the elevation gain the trail is very well cleared, in summer there is a rocky area which is prone to snakes, watch your footing. The path weaves through pine and madrone forest and boasts some nice views before looping back to the trailhead.

I polished off this trail in just under 40 minutes today. Next up: Mount Rose.

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