An outstanding 2 mile ridge trail that includes Basin Peak (9,045ft), Castle Peak (9,109ft), and Andesite Peak (8,210ft). Not to mention the extraordinary scenery on the backside of Castle Peak’s eastern bowl. The North Bowl (backside of Castle Peak) is also very beautiful.
Miles
Vert. Ft.
Avg. Elev.
Route Details
Trail Awesomeness: This loop is one of the prettiest Ridge Runs in the entire Tahoe area and includes three summits: Basin Peak (9,045ft), Castle Peak (9,109ft), and Andesite Peak (8,210ft).
Route Type: Loop. Lots of connector trails available for shorter and longer loops.
Trail Type: single track. Some OHV roads.
Trail Condition: clearly marked. Castle Peak, itself, is more technical with steep terrain containing loose rock and soil.
Trail Traffic: Moderate. Backpackers, Hikers, Runners and some Bikers. Busiest between 10AM to 4pm, especially on weekends.
Trail Systems/Areas: Donner Lake Rim Trail, Warren Lake Trail, Devil’s Oven Trail, Castle Peak Ridge Trail, Hole-In-the-Ground Trail
Water Sources: several springs and creeks from snow runoff that last through most of the summer, particularly the sides that get less sun.
Bug Conditions: lots of horse flies in the wooded areas. Lots of gnats and mosquitos near areas with water.
Start Location: Castle Peak Trailhead
Finish Location: Castle Peak Trailhead
Fees/Permits: Currently, no fees required with lots of parking available.
Potable Water: no
Bathrooms: no
Cell Reception: yes
Historical Significance: Marks the location of Donner Pass off of I-80 and it was originally named Mount Stanford by the Whitney Survey of 1860–74. Also, the Pacific Crest Trail passes right beside Castle Peak.
Natural Significance: Castle Peak has an iconic rocky peak top that overlooks Donner Pass and is an impressive display of past volcanic activity in this area. This loop includes the following summits on its epic 2-mile Ridge Run: Basin Paak (9,045ft), Castle Peak (9,109ft), and Andesite Peak (8,210ft). From each of these peaks, one can see all the way to Mt. Rose, the Desolation Wilderness, Mt. Diablo, Sierra Buttes, Lassen Peak, and Mount Shasta.
ATTENTION!!
WATER SOURCES: Upper Castle Creek, South Prosser Creek, and North Prosser Creek turn into springs by the late summer. Most dry up completely. Summit Lake and Devil’s Oven Lake are reliable backup water sources if creeks are dry. Several other lakes available, but farther out.
Route Guide
0.00 mi ⇒ Castle Peak Trailhead & Meadow (START) |
0.00 mi ⇒ Trail Junction & Creek Crossing: Upper Castle Creek | Cross creek through meadow in view of Castle Peak.
0.75 mi ⇒ Trail Junction & Donner Lake Rim Trail to Summit Lake | This is where the Donner Lake Rim Trail (aka: DLRT) (dirt road) intersects with the Pacific Crest Trail (aka: PCT) (single track). Cross the PCT and follow the DLRT up the hill to the next trail junction less than a 1/4mi.
0.85 mi ⇒ Trail Junction & Donner Lake Rim Trail to Summit Lake | Follow the DLRT to Summit Lake. It changes from a dirt road to a single track and a sign marks the trail junction.
2.40 mi ⇒ Trail Junction & Warren Lake Trail | Turn right at this trail junction marked with signs. Leaving the Donner Lake Rim Trail to now follow the Warren Lake Trail up the hill.
4.00 mi ⇒ Trail Junction & Warren Lake Trail | At the crest of the exposed ridge line, there is an unnamed trail that follows the ridge line to Castle Peak (left), and another that summits the Frog Lake Cliffs overlooking Frog Lake (right). Go straight through down into the Eastern Bowl behind Castle Peak.
4.50 mi ⇒ Trail Junction & Warren Lake Trail | Take left at this trail junction marked with a sign to follow the trail to Warren Lake.
6.75 mi ⇒ Trail Junction & Devil’s Oven Trail | Take left at this trail junction marked with a sign leaning against a nearby tree. This junction marks the point one leaves the East Bowl behind Castle Peak, and enters the North Side of the mountain before summiting Basin Peak.
8.25 mi ⇒ Trail Junction & Castle Peak Ridge Trail | Take left at unmarked trail junction to follow the Castle Peak Ridge Trail up to Basin Peak. The right goes back to the PCT, the West Bowl, and the Peter Grub Hutt.
8.50 mi ⇒ Basin Peak Summit (9,045ft)
10.00 mi ⇒ Trail Junction & Castle Peak Summit Trail | Take left to summit Castle Peak. The right skips it. —Don’t go right!
10.25 mi ⇒ Castle Peak Summit (9,109ft)
10.30 mi ⇒ Trail Junction & Castle Peak Trail | Follow the trail back down the peak on the opposing trail while summiting Castle Peak. This other trail returns us to the Castle Pass and Trail Junction with the PCT and the Hole-In-the-Ground Trail.
11.50 mi ⇒ Trail Junction at Castle Pass & Hole-in-the-Ground Trail | This junction is marked by a pile of rocks. Cross the PCT straight through and get on the Hole-in-the-ground Trail along the ridge up to Andesite Peak.
11.75 mi ⇒ Trail Junction & Andesite Peak Summit Trail |
12.00 mi ⇒ Andesite Peak Summit (8,210ft)
12.25mi ⇒ Trail Junction & Hole-in-the-Ground Trail | Take right back onto the Hole-in-the-ground trail to return to the Hole-in-the-Ground Trailhead Junction.
13.25mi ⇒ Trail Junction & Dirt Road | Take right onto the dirt road back to the Castle Peak Trailhead near I-80 at Donner Pass. The sounds of the freeway start within the next half mile.
14.25 mi ⇒ Castle Peak Trailhead & Meadow (FINISH)
Resources
- Closest Town: Truckee, CA (10mi/15mins) (Google Maps)
- Nearest Gas: Donner Summit Gas (3mi/5mins) (Google Maps)
- Nearest Restaurants: several venues in Truckee, CA (10mi/15mins) (Google Maps)
- Nearest Ranger Station: Truckee Ranger District (Google Maps)
- General info from Sierra Nevada Geotourism
- General info from SummitPost.org
- Weather updates for Norden, CA and Truckee, CA
Post-Adventure EATS & BREWS
STOPSTU’s choices for EATS & BREWS near Castle Peak, CA.
BREWERY:
“FiftyFifty has a really great menu of Burgers, sandwiches, and more!” -Stu
PIZZA:
“Zano’s is my favorite when I’m hungry.” -Stu
SANDWICH:
“I just love this place! Their food is so delicious and so filling!” -Stu
BURGER:
“Burger Me is so good! Not just great Hamburgers, but some of the best Garlic Fries I’ve ever scarfed down!” -Stu
BBQ:
“The Bar Burrito with Brisket still makes me taste buds jump out of my mouth!” -Stu
CHINESE:
“Wong’s has decent food.” -Stu
MEXICAN:
“Tacos Herrrera has GREAT street tacos! And Taco’s Jalisco has great burritos!” -Stu
BREAKFAST:
“Wild Cherries has good breakfast sandwiches and pastries! Full Belly Deli has the BEST breakfast burritos! The Gnar is spectacular!” -Stu
COFFEE:
“If I just want coffee, I’ll go to Dark Horse. If I need food, Wild Cherries is my first choice, and CoffeeBar a close second.” -Stu
HEALTHY:
“I visit this place for a T-Rex shot whenever I get a Gnar Burrito at Full Belly Deli next door” -Stu
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
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