May 30, 2005, Ridge Lake Peak, Lassen

It was another sunny day but the temperature had not dropped below freezing last night.  Jill and I joined a young Swiss couple who set a smooth up track for the two retirees.  Switzerland should be proud of their youth.  We parked at the Sulphur Works parking area and followed the climbers right drainage.  The trail meanders through an open forest to Ridge Lakes. Before us was a beautiful peak with a northeast bowl.  The total vertical is only 1700 feet but the peak is not well known and was untracked on the third day of a holiday weekend.  The up track is along the climbers right ridge. On the summit at 8662 feet, we enjoyed a great view of the numerous descent routes of Brokeoff to the south and Diller to the north. We could have descended a treed bowl to the south but chose the steep northeast face.  The snow was stable and great carving corn.  The descent was too quick but we only had time for one run.  The others had to get back to the Bay Area to get ready for work tomorrow.  And it was time for us to make the 80 mile drive around to the northeast entrance of Lassen for tomorrows tour.  There was still more terrain near the southwest entrance but we were ready for a change.   Zap