29 replies to this topic

[MarkBC]

What got me thinking on this topic was pondering where I'd head after The Rally for a few days.

 

I really like the White Mts -- the next door neighbor to the Sierras, but much less visited and much less known by "outsiders"....and yet, White Mt Peak is the third highest peak in California.  And apparently -- so far in this Topic -- the Whites are the highest place you can drive in California.  

 

That spot at the trailhead for White Mountain Peak (the trailhead 99% of the time when you can't drive to Barcroft Station) is particularly remarkable for me, as an Oregon resident.  That highest place you can drive in California is actually higher than any point in Oregon.

 

And I like that it's mostly free of view-blocking vegetation -- magnificent views from the crest to the east and the west.  There are the iconic groves of bristlecone pines...but they're tastefully sparse.

 

So after thinking about the beloved White Mts I wondered if there was some other very high -- possibly higher -- spot I could drive to in the general region and camp there.

[ski3pin]

Not near as high, only 9800 feet, but consider the saddle above the Queen Mine on the north end of the Whites. Photos can be found here-

 

Trip Report

 

Hike up the ridge to the west (not that far of a walk) and there are bristlecone pines, mule deer, bighorn, and feral horses. We enjoyed the views.

 

But this is in Nevada. Hope you don't mind.

[MarkBC]

Not near as high, only 9800 feet, but consider the saddle above the Queen Mine on the north end of the Whites. Photos can be found here-

 

Trip Report

 

Hike up the ridge to the west (not that far of a walk) and there are bristlecone pines, mule deer, bighorn, and feral horses. We enjoyed the views.

 

But this is in Nevada. Hope you don't mind.

 

Hmmm...that's an idea.  I remember reading your description from the Boundary Peak hike...looks like a cool spot -- one I haven't been to yet.  Thanks.

[Lighthawk]

I seem to have read a post about a guy who wheeled his dad to the top of a peak in the Sweetwaters.

 

Maybe this place?  

[locrwln]

^^That was probably me.

 

You can summit at 11654' in the Sweetwaters on Mt. Patterson, so just a few feet shy of the gate on the road to the research station.  Excluding the research station, those are the highest points I know of that you can drive to in California.

 

Here is the trip report.

 

http://www.wanderthe.../?hl=sweetwater

 

Jack

Edited by locrwln, 10 November 2014 - 08:15 PM.

[Lighthawk]

Thanks Jack.  That was the report I remembered.  Pretty cool you took your inlaws up an 11k peak.

[locrwln]

Thanks Jack.  That was the report I remembered.  Pretty cool you took your inlaws up an 11k peak.

Thank you.

 

Yeah, they are still pretty adventurous and willing to put up with my more extreme locations to include the Black Rock, which they really enjoy.

 

Jack

[bnf3]

Try the Horseshoe Meadow road off the Whitney Portal road in Lone Pine.  Wonderful, paved ride, over 10,000 ft, camping facilities, multiple trailheads into Sierras.

[Jeep_Engineer_Beer_Snob]

Does anyone know of any good off-road trails in the Lake Tahoe area?  I'm not looking for anything too hardcore, just something with some good grades and scenery that a stock 4x4 Grand Cherokee can handle.

 

Thanks!

[craig333]

Something like the Genoa Peak road might be what you're looking for. Easy with great views of the Lake. Here's an old trip report.

 

http://www.wanderthe...-peak/?hl=tahoe

http://www.summitpos...noa-peak/625169