The 08 is the Forest service road that runs to Truckee on the West side of the Truckee River/Hwy 89 from just North of Squaw. The 06 ("Fiberboard Freeway") is the road that runs from Tahoe City to Truckee on the East side of the Truckee River. Unlike the 06, the 08 is closed to snowmobiles. This Road accesses some really good backcountry skiing in the winter and there is a hut "Bradley Hut" that gets a lot of use. The access is between Squaw Valley and Truckee.
This map has 3 of my runs on it. The lowest one was my first run on November 21. This is a private dirt road that runs up behind my house in Squaw and dead ends. The runs at the top of the map are today's run and a run I did on 11/28. On the 28th my run headed North along the 08 to Pole Creek (here is another map) and back. Today's run Is the route that heads South along some old logging road.
Starting out near Highway 89.
"Into the Sun"
I ran along in the tracks set by some skiiers/skinners. Not sure if this is cool or not. I know when I use to hike peaks to snowboard in the backcountry with my snowshoes (MSR Denalis) It is not cool to use the tracks set by skiners. I know however that during the winter at this Forsest Service Road many people hike and snowshoe up. There was a forest service guy skinning up who saw me heading up this ski track and he did not say anything. I needed to run so i ran.
These tracks were much harder to run in than the snowmobile tracks I ran in the other night. If I stepped to far to either side I sank and even running one shoe in-front of the other staying in the ski tracks I would punch down. But it was easier than running in the untracked powder so I continued on.
Here is where I thought the ski tracks would head, down the 08 towards Pole Creek. Nope. So I figured either I can cut trail down to Pole Creek or stay in the ski tracks.
I decided to stay in the ski tracks as I wanted to run and not "kinda run" breaking trail in 2+ feet of fresh snow. I got about 20 feet further and the tracks ended! The skiers came and broke trail and turned around, maybe it was the same US employee that is skinning up behind me? Anyhow I decided to continue on this unmarked road and see what running in powder was really like.
So here is looking at my new route
A quick look back to see what my tracks looked like.
The nice thing about running in this untracked powder as opposed to in the skiers tracks was that I knew plain and simple that every-step was gonna be a deep one. Running in the ski tracks was much more unpredictable.
I would only call what I did "running" for a short while. I was worked and had to start hiking. I kept telling myself "just up to that next rise" where I might be-able to see Silver Peak or the Pacific Crest and really have a scenic payday.
The logging/fireroad became smaller.
Another lookback at Bullshead?
And looking at the "Highway Patrol Chutes" across from Alpine Meadows Rd.
I went for almost a mile breaking trail and was almost 3 miles in total and decided I do not need to see anything but my feet moving a bit faster than they were. So I turned around.
Coming down I ran into the tracks of the Forest Service Guy (what a job!) He obviously decided to make his own tracks and I decided to stay in mine. He took a route that headed West.
Looking back up at our tracks
I was finally running again and even though I was running in my tracks it was still pretty tough. When I got back to the 08 I stayed in the ski tracks and just tried to keep a good pace. The toughest thing was that my ankles were constantly rolling so I tried to run in the center of the ski tracks which created another problem of my ankles getting hit by the snowshoes.
Another great day learning how to snowshoe run for sure!
I want to keep going back on this route and pack in my own trail so that I can get back there quicker. What I would really like to do is break a trail all the way back to Squaw Valley. Looking at the Google Earth map above you can see that today's trail was heading towards the run I did a few weeks back. I want to connect the two. This is some rugged terrain in between with no real fireroad so it will be an adventure to say the least, especially on 22" shoes! Maybe I will bring a pack and my bigger shoes for breaking trail? If I do end up making the crossing I am sure I will have to run it every time it snows so it does not get buried. That should keep me busy this winter.
Happy Trails
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