Castle Valley / Peter Grub Hut / Castle Peak
This is one of the premier winter recreation areas in the Central Sierra Nevada. On clear crisp winter days Castle Peak can be breathtaking. Parking is available just off I-80 near the crest of the Sierra Summit. Yet downtown Truckee is only minutes away.
...a marked trail around the meadow in Castle Valley that is rated easy and offers wonderful views of Castle Peak.
...area closed to over the snow vehicles (OSV) such as snowmobiles...
DESCRIPTION:
There is an area closed to over the snow vehicles (OSV) such as snowmobiles in Castle Valley east of Andesite Peak and leading north to Round Valley and the Peter Grub Hut area. This includes the western approach to Castle Peak.
Before reaching Castle Pass, there is also a marked trail around the meadow in Castle Valley that is rated easy and offers wonderful views of Castle Peak. Don’t approach the south slopes under the peak too closely as avalanche and rock fall hazards can be high.
Andesite Peak forming the western boundary of the Castle Valley offers a less demanding climb than the very arduous climb to the top of Castle Peak. The panoramic views are marvelous plus you have one advantage: Castle Peak itself is the majestic skyline view to the north east.
Reservations for an overnight stay at the Peter Grub Hut can be made at the Sierra Club’s Claire Tappan Lodge at Norden or by telephoning (530) 426-3632. Day use is free and available to anyone and reservations are open to everyone. See Sierra Club’s Hut System in the commercial area article for additional information. The hut lies in the trees above and to the southwest of Round Valley. On most days there is sufficient (some would say too much) traffic to leave a visible if not packed trail to the hut. New snow or whiteout conditions can make the finding of the hut much more difficult. A night with friends sharing food, drink, and warmth can make the trip memorable.
The open meadow in Round Valley and the relatively treeless flanks of the Sierra Crest between Castle Peak and Basin Peak offer both easy outings and perfect places to practice technique.
Climbing Castle Peak or the steep slopes north to Basin Peak should be undertaken only by very experienced back-country skiers who have proper safety equipment. Snowshoers can more readily ascend the steep slope to Castle Peak. It’s an arduous, tough climb of 1200’ from Castle Pass on a demandingly steep grade. As you near the final windswept, rocky ascent, crampons – even walking without snowshoes – is called for. But this is the view you worked out all those months of exercise and eating right to achieve. To the north is first Basin Peak, and then Mount Lola, the highest mountain in our area. Much farther to the northwest are the Sierra Buttes. To the east is Truckee and even Nevada. To the north is the spine of the Sierra Crest with Mount Lincoln and Anderson dominating. To the west is the descent to the Central Valley.
| Parking Elevation: | 7200 feet | Base Elevation: | 7200 feet | Summit Elevation: | 9100 feet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Trailhead - 7,200’; Peter Grub Hut - 7,800’; Castle Peak - 9,100’. |
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| Snowfall | 0 inches | Season | Mid-November through April | ||
| Parking: | Sno-Park with fees | Skiable Area | 3000 acres | Groomed | No | Terain Park | No |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snowmaking | |||||||
| Runs | Beginner | 0% | Intermediate | 0% | Expert | 0% | |
| Lifts | 0 | Types | |||||
| Contact(s) | Tahoe National Forest: 530-265-4531 |
|---|---|
| Website(s) |
DIRECTIONS:
To Castle Valley / Peter Grub Hut / Castle Peak
Sno-Park parking at Donner Summit is available along the Boreal Ski Area frontage road on the south side of I-80 at the Castle Peak / Boreal Exit. Sno-Park permits are required. Capacity is 70 cars and on good weekends the area is very popular. No snow play or overnight parking is allowed (private property).
See Detailed Map > Winter > East Slope
ACTIVITIES:
Skiing - Cross-country (Rating: Exceptional)
A marked Nordic ski trail leads through Castle Pass and continues as an unmarked trail to the Peter Grub Hut. Descending from Castle Pass in either direction is considered more difficult. Round Valley lying east of the Hut is wonderful cross-country skiing area that can also be reached by hearty snowshoers. Castle Valley near the parking area is perfect for snowshoers and is suitable for all skill levels.
Andesite Peak is a doable and worthy goal for intermediate snowshoers. There are two ways to ascend: from the north and Castle Pass by following the obvious ridge back south to Andesite’s summit. From the south ascend steadily up the dominant ridge that heads northwest from the base of the hill where the snowmobile and cross-country trails separate. You can even follow the snowmobile trail along the road until you level out at the top of the first short hill, then cut over to the right (northeast) to pick up the ridge to the top of Andesite. Due to the fairly dense forest, snowshoes maneuver better than skis in this situation.
Difficulty levels: Castle Pass to Peter Grub Hut is rated More Difficult. Castle Valley in the meadow area is Easy as is parts of Round Valley after you climb over Castle Pass. Climbing either Castle or Basin Peaks is Most Difficult. Climbing Andesite Peak is More Difficult.
Snowmobiling (Rating: Exceptional)
A marked Nordic ski trail leads through Castle Pass and continues as an unmarked trail to the Peter Grub Hut. Descending from Castle Pass in either direction is considered more difficult. Round Valley lying east of the Hut is wonderful cross-country skiing area that can also be reached by hearty snowshoers. Castle Valley near the parking area is perfect for snowshoers and is suitable for all skill levels.
Andesite Peak is a doable and worthy goal for intermediate snowshoers. There are two ways to ascend: from the north and Castle Pass by following the obvious ridge back south to Andesite’s summit. From the south ascend steadily up the dominant ridge that heads northwest from the base of the hill where the snowmobile and cross-country trails separate. You can even follow the snowmobile trail along the road until you level out at the top of the first short hill, then cut over to the right (northeast) to pick up the ridge to the top of Andesite. Due to the fairly dense forest, snowshoes maneuver better than skis in this situation.
Difficulty levels: Castle Pass to Peter Grub Hut is rated More Difficult. Castle Valley in the meadow area is Easy as is parts of Round Valley after you climb over Castle Pass. Climbing either Castle or Basin Peaks is Most Difficult. Climbing Andesite Peak is More Difficult.
Snowshoeing (Rating: Exceptional)
A marked Nordic ski trail leads through Castle Pass and continues as an unmarked trail to the Peter Grub Hut. Descending from Castle Pass in either direction is considered more difficult. Round Valley lying east of the Hut is wonderful cross-country skiing area that can also be reached by hearty snowshoers. Castle Valley near the parking area is perfect for snowshoers and is suitable for all skill levels.
Andesite Peak is a doable and worthy goal for intermediate snowshoers. There are two ways to ascend: from the north and Castle Pass by following the obvious ridge back south to Andesite’s summit. From the south ascend steadily up the dominant ridge that heads northwest from the base of the hill where the snowmobile and cross-country trails separate. You can even follow the snowmobile trail along the road until you level out at the top of the first short hill, then cut over to the right (northeast) to pick up the ridge to the top of Andesite. Due to the fairly dense forest, snowshoes maneuver better than skis in this situation.
Difficulty levels: Castle Pass to Peter Grub Hut is rated More Difficult. Castle Valley in the meadow area is Easy as is parts of Round Valley after you climb over Castle Pass. Climbing either Castle or Basin Peaks is Most Difficult. Climbing Andesite Peak is More Difficult.
