Skiing on June 15th in the Sierra Nevada Mountains
UPDATE: February 21, 2026
Going up into the mountains is always a leap of fate. There are wild animals like bears, steep drop-offs, fast moving rivers, freezing temperatures and in the winter avalanches. Castle Peak at Donner Summit is at once a wild place and also one that is a stones-throw from civilization as the hum of Interstate 80 is often heard in the distance. Cell service is strong. You have to venture a few miles from this major thoroughfare to enjoy the silence that makes these places magical.
I have skied up to “The Castle” many times. I remember well the first time skinning up past Andesite Peak and to the saddle. A young Sierra Club dame leading the way as we traded off breaking the trail. The snow was deep. The skies were clear. Eventually we made it back down.
In January 2017 after a huge dump we did ski up to the saddle. The weather looked to be turning so we headed down the safe way, sticking close to the trees. 2016-17 was a big snow year with totals over 500 inches. On that trip all the resorts were closed for days. Mostly we skied the backside of Signal Peak.
Signal Peak by Donner Summit – January 2017
Signal Peak by Donner Summit – January 2017
Castle Peak at Donner Summit – January 2017
It is with a heavy heart I heard about the recent tragedy at Castle Peak. In terms of doing this trip late in the year, generally the risk of avalanche is slight. The snow that is left has settled. the biggest danger (by far) are the many fast-moving snowmelt rivers that run under the snow and ice. These are deep and cold, unpredictable, fast and are often like tunnels. If you fall into one of those, you may have a major problem. Just a heads up.
Now to the post in 2017:
I have always wanted to ski late in the year during a big snow year. 2017 was that year. It is a truly amazing experience to hike up and ski off the top of a mountain in 70 degree weather. The sun bright and hot. The snow hard but not yet slushy in the morning.
We made our way up to the top of this undisclosed mountain along the Pacific Crest Trail. A mile in we ran into a group of six hikers with packs. As usual custom along hiking trails we stopped and drank some water and chatted a bit. These were six people hiking the PCT all the way from Mexico to Canada. They had all started out doing the hike solo but formed a group over time. One person from Oregon. Another from Albuquerque. Another from Israel and another from New York. I asked them if they could let me know one of their most essential tools in their pack. Something they value most of all and could not do without. They first said what all people who backpack say. “Just too much shit. You do not need much in the end.” Then they stood and pondered and then one of the older hikers said, “You pack your fears. If you are afraid of being thirsty, you carry too much water. If you fear hunger, you pack too much food. If you are afraid of being cold, you pack too many clothes.” Some heavy trail knowledge – just in the nick of time.
“You pack your fears. If you are afraid of being thirsty, you carry too much water. If you fear hunger, you pack too much food. If you are afraid of being cold, you pack too many clothes.”
We kept heading up the mountain. At times using skins and skis. At other times hiking straight up. We made it to the top and ate lunch. The top of the mountain is a unusual place. Life was exploding with bugs, birds, rodents, birds and butterflies. 9100 feet. At one point a tiger swallowtail butterfly cruises by and you have to wonder what she is doing at the top of the world.
