The Unofficial Alpine Meadows Ski Report

The Unofficial Alpine Meadows Ski Report
Produced by Andy Wertheim
Tahoe/Truckee Realtor
email: andyinalpine@yahoo.com
Our real estate website: www.tahoeriverfrontrealty.com

Hello friends,
The other day I rode up the ski area's summer lift access
road to the top of D8 chute (nearly the top of Summit Chair).
This year the ride was somewhat easier than in the past, as the ski area placed old
crushed asphalt on the dirt road part way up the
mountain. This surface is a little more firm and less
dusty than the old dirt surface. There are sections
that are short and rather steep with loose gravel that
require a sprint to complete passage along the way,
but many sections can be ridden without extreme
effort. I found myself searching for air after the
short sprints, but totally enjoying the ride through
Wolverine Bowl (a nice long easy switchback through
the bowl. The road begins at the Alpine Lodge and
winds up the Weasel Run along the Hot Wheels Chair. ¾
of the way up the Weasel Run the road forks. I
followed the fork that leads to the base of the Alpine
Bowl Chair (this is the Weasel Loop Run) where it then
turns toward the top of the Yellow Chair and continues
across Blue Trail heading into Wolverine Bowl near the
top of The Face. Blue Trail was a cascading yellow
field of Soft Arnica on the day I rode across it.
Wolverine Bowl is lush green and filled with various
spring flowers in full bloom. I spotted a cluster of
Sierra Primrose half way up the road through
Wolverine. At the top you can enjoy the view and then
retrace your tracks to the bottom. The ride is about
1.5 hours in length at a moderate pace.
Yesterday we ventured out of the area toward
Kirkwood to check out the lakes and flowers on the
very popular Winnemucca Trial that begins at the
ranger station atop Carson Pass. We hiked a 9.5 mile
loop that included some good elevation gain and loss.
Our route began at the ranger station and followed the
trail to Frog Lake, about 1 mile. It continues to
Winnemucca Lake, about 1.5 miles. The water was
pretty cold in the upper lakes, as snow fields are
still melting at these higher elevations. Another
mile hike with a little more elevation gain will bring
you to Round Top Lake. We stopped here for lunch,
relaxing on a soft, level grassy area. The flowers
along the paths to these lakes are worth the hike.
The hills are aglow with color. I spotted more Sierra
Primrose along the way, as well as some Yucca Plants,
Western Blue Flag, and all flavors of Paintbrush,
Lupine, and Penstemon. I also believe I spotted Pink
Gilia near Winnemucca Lake.
The weather continues to be excellent with clear
skies and reasonably moderate temperatures. Yesterday
we enjoyed a nice cooling breeze for most of the day.
Enjoy your day. Andy

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