Aug 12, 2010 Castle Peak

This week's hike was to Castle Peak just north of I-80 at Donner Summit. We first hiked to Castle Peak and stopped for lunch after a grueling 2 ½ hike close to the 9000’ summit. Glenn and Dominic were ahead and had their lunch at the summit whereas Merrill, Loren and Roland missed the trail to the Ridge so squatted just short of the summit. We then took off over to Basin Peak Ridge, lost John’s short cut trail and took over 4 hours getting to down to Peter Grubb Hut and another hour back to our cars. This hike was billed as moderately strenuous by someone who was absent, but we all agreed the final outcome was “killer strenuous” and the 5 weary hikers all agreed this was the last time we want to see Castle Peak. Been there, done that just like Berryessa! We did enjoy the abundance of wild flowers and great vistas.

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