On a different subject - If you read to the end of my last post you might win a prize.
Now to today's post.
On the last few Sierra Canyon Hiking Group hikes we have been hearing all about how doing the beer hike to the top of Mount Rose is something you have to do if you are a hiker living in Reno. Well today was the day. Some of the people from Silver Peak Restaurant and Brewery carry kegs of beer to the top of Mount Rose and then sell glasses of beer to hikers who get to the top. All of the proceeds goto the Nevada Land Conservancy.
Rose Peak is a challenging hike. Round trip is 11.9 miles. Elevation gain is 1,976 feet. The top of the mountain is 10,776 feet. Today to make it even more challenging the weather was clear and cool and extremely windy.
Seven of us from the Sierra Canyon hiking group met at the Sierra Canyon Lodge at 7:30. We car pooled to Mount Rose and started hiking at 8:30. In the early part of the hike I was wearing a light weight shirt, pants and cap, but at the top I had on gloves, stocking cap, pants, shirt, light weight fleece, heavy weight fleece jacket and my rain jacket and I was very glad I had every one of them. The last couple of miles of the trail are above the tree line and are on the ridge of the mountain and the wind was blowing like I have never experienced it. I leaned 45 degrees into the wind. I thought I might be blown over. I couldn't stand up. I literally crawled up parts of the trail. We agreed that the wind had to be blowing 70 miles per hour. The wind chill made it very cold. Three of our seven hikers decided that the wind was just too much and waited for us back down in the trees. But Walt, Linda, Duke and I made it. At the very top there was shelter and the beer tasted REALLY good especially with Duke's famous oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. The views were fantastic. We could see Mount Lassen, Reno, Truckee, Lake Tahoe and and lots more. Making it to the top was a thrill. I am so glad I did it.
Here are a few pictures. The rest can be seen here on Flickr.
