Hiking Freel Peak

Fall is a beautiful time in the mountains, and one of the most spectacular views of Lake Tahoe can be seen from the summit of Freel Peak, at 10,881 feet the highest of the peaks in the Carson Range that surrounds the Lake. Still relatively snow free, the summit and trail leading to it nevertheless are already dotted with patches of ice-hard snow. In a few weeks, gaining the peak will require snow shoes and winter gear.

Despite a late start and shorter days, four of us decided to slog up to the summit for a brisk Sunday hike. The beautiful fall afternoon rewarded us with spectacular views of the rugged mountaintop, the starkly blue sky, and the shimmering blue Lake to the west. Click on the photo for a magnified view of the vista from the top of the mountain. More photos from the hike can be seen at: http://picasaweb.google.com/jstrolin/FreelPeak102509 .

Desolation and Beauty

The view of beautiful Lake Tahoe (with Fallen Leaf Lake in the foreground) from the top of Keith's Dome in the Desolation Wilderness. More photos from a hike into the Desolation from Echo Lake on August 9th are on the web at:

http://picasaweb.google.com/jstrolin/EchoLakeHike892009

Spring in the Mountains

Here are some photos of the mountains and the different ways they show themselves as spring tries to overcome winter in Northern Nevada. The first photo was taken from my driveway in mid-March as a spring snow storm descended on the mountains. The other two photos are views while cycling March 28th along the eastern edge of the Sierra mountains in the Carson Valley. Other pictures of this spectacular spring day are at: http://picasaweb.google.com/jstrolin/KingsburyToMarkleeville32809