May 13, 2005, Tamarack Peak, Phase 1 Completed

Spent the night in South Lake Tahoe and headed north for Mt. Rose Knob.  Found the trailhead on Jennifer St. near Incline Village but the snow pack had melted out.  Drove on highway 431 towards the Mt. Rose ski area and parked just east of the summit pass.  We followed a meadow up to a ridge through widely spaced trees to the summit of Tamarack Peak.  The views south were of the Mt. Rose ski area, west to Lake Tahoe and Mt. Rose Knob, north to Mt. Houghton , and east to Mt. Rose at 10,776 feet.  The ski area is actually not located on Mt. Rose (just like Baker). The snow was again unconsolidated on various aspects. We descended the upper bowl and skirted the trees and coasted back to the camper.  This area is easily accessed from highway 431 and provides descents into numerous drainages.  It probably had great corn before the recent snowfall.  Tomorrow is forecasted to be sunny and mild before a major weather change to wet and mild. We plan to ride the lift at Alpine Meadows for a few hours using our spring passes.  

With the weather change, it seems to be a good time to head back to Seattle.  It has been a great trip.  We have skied 46 days out the past 56 days.  Not bad for a couple of senior citizens. :)
Zap & Jill