The Unofficial Alpine Meadows Ski Report

The Unofficial Alpine Meadows Ski Report
Produced by Andy Wertheim
Tahoe/Truckee Realtor
email: andyinalpine@yahoo.com
Our real estate website: www.tahoeriverfrontrealty.com

Hello friends,
The other day we ventured about an hour or so north of Tahoe to take advantage of perfect hiking weather in an effort to scale to the top of the Sierra Buttes Fire Lookout. This is about a 5 mile round trip hike with approximately 1600 feet of vertical gain, including the multiply strings of metal stairs leading to the glass lookout sitting atop the world. The view is inspiring to say the least. Standing on the catwalk looking northeast over Sardine Lake takes nerve, as there is nothing below you for a thousand feet or so. The trail is steep and cluttered with loose rocks and soil in certain areas, and gentle, or well graded in the shade of tall trees, in others areas. You can see many small lakes below as the trail winds along the ridge line between Packer Saddle (the start of the Downieville Downhill bike ride). You can find the trailhead for this hike by taking Hwy. 89 north of Truckee through Sierraville toward Quincy. Take Hwy. 49 where it leaves Hwy. 89 up and over Yuba Gap until you reach Gold Lakes Road or Bassetts Station. Turn right onto Gold Lakes Road and follow along this scenic road until you see a sign for Sardine Lake. Turn left toward Sardine Lake looking for a right turn leading to Packer Lake and Packer Saddle. Follow the road, narrow at times, up to Packer Saddle where you will see signs indicating the way to the Sierra Buttes Lookout. A portion of this trail merges with the Pacific Crest Trail.
After working up a sweat hiking to the Sierra Butte Lookout we drove north on Gold Lakes Road to Gold Lake. This is a good size lake that offers some lovely campsites on the south west shore line. We unloaded our kayaks at the boat ramp and took a short kayak tour of the choppy water (there was a pretty good breeze blowing). Having not gotten enough exercise by the time we completed kayaking, my small group decided to hike another few miles along the 4x4 road that follows Gold Lake’s shore line, and visit Little Gold Lake (a beautiful little lake that appears to be emerald in color). Little Gold Lake is about 1/4 mile south of the southwest corner of Gold Lake. Returning late in the afternoon to the car, with stomachs screaming for food, we decided to drive on to Graeagle, and then to Johnsville. Johnsville is a cute, but very small old mining town, where you will find the Iron Door Restaurant.
For all of you who have been asking about Dave Lane’s fall ski equipment sale, take note: THERE WILL BE A COMBINED SOFT AND HARD GOODS OUTDOOR EQUIPMENT SALE AT BOREAL RIDGE ON SEPT. 16 BETWEEN 10 AND 2 IN THE PARKING LOT. This is the fall sale that some of you have been looking for, so go to Boreal and get what you need for winter at great prices.
Enjoy your day. Andy