Route Climbed: SW Ridge from Castle Pass Date Climbed: Nov 28 2005
Back on Castle again after 2 years. Climbed with my dog CJ in a couple of inches to maybe a foot of snow in places. Views were great. You could see the Sutter Buttes and the Coastal Range.
Route Climbed: East Turret Date Climbed: August 3, 2005
I went with my grandpa 13 months after a foiled attempt. Climbed the Class 4 of the east turret and signed the notebook that was in the metal box. Fun climb. Went back in Aug of 2006 with Rad.
First climb of many in both summer and winter. Great mountain for getting started on both the hiking season and the snowbarding season. NW ridge from the end of the dirt road is the fastest and easiest. Gives quickest access to Basin Peak also.
Route Climbed: East Turret Date Climbed: July 16, 2002
Finally got the summit block, west side. Easy to get to w/o all that snow. Nice way to recover from minor surgery. If I lived in Truckee, this would be my gym for sure. :)
Route Climbed: West Ridge Date Climbed: 10 April 2005
Kristina,Ginger(my dog), and myself made it to the summit after we where turned around by 50 mile and hour winds the day before. We ran into some icy conditions on the Northwest slope and Kristina did not have crampons so I cut steps all the way up. It was a very fun day and good mountaineering practice. There are a lot of fun short vertical ice/snow climbs on this peak that I enjoyed.
Route Climbed: SW Ridge Date Climbed: February 19 2005
Snow-shoed in & pitched camp before the pass with three friends. (one on tele-skiis) Lots of traffic on the main trail. (We seemed to be the only ones camping & not in the hut though) Hiked up the SW ridge to the center spire. It snowed steadily all the way to the top. Little visibility at the summit cancelled a try for the East spire. (the true summit, 6ft higher) Toasted with an adult beverage & hiked back down in fresh powder.
Caution advised due to heavy snoe, cornices & avalanche danger in the area.
Route Climbed: East Turret Date Climbed: 9 October 2004
Did this hike from 80 with my girlfriend and my dog. We went up the ridge line from castle pass. My girlfriend and dog stopped at the west turret. I climbed up the east turret. First class three climb. I thought it was real easy.
Route Climbed: East turret (class 3) Date Climbed: 4-December-2004
Snowshoed up from Donner Summit via Andesite Peak and Castle Pass. Numerous skiers and snowshoers had come up to the west turret since there was plenty of snow on it, but this day none except me seemed foolhardy enough to climb the true summit block because of the cold harsh wind - temps in the 20's with winds of 25mph gusting to 45 in advance of a storm. Got blasted by wind-driven snow and ice crystals. Lots of good holds - workable even with thick gloves and plastic boots (um, was testing out some gear). Also climbed the middle turret by mistake.
Route Climbed: West Ridge/East Turret Date Climbed: Sept. 11th, 2004
This was a fun climb! The access gate was open so bpgbennett took his Acura Integra (with it's 4" of ground clearance) back to the trail head saving 1.25 miles one way of dusty road hiking. We climbed up the ridgeline towards the peak stopping to climb a nice little pinnacle on the way (5.2 - 5.3?). Reached the east turret and easily made the trek up the Class 3 route. Both of us were a little surprised at how easy it was. So, after climbing down the Class 3 we walked over the the Class 4 section and scrambled up and down that a few times. No pro or rope, none needed either for this easy section. Would have loved to do some scrambling but a setting sun reminded us that it was time to head back down.
Route Climbed: West Ridge Date Climbed: April 10, 2004
Beautiful spring day. Snow was very compact so the snowshoes were just added weight on my pack. We climbed the west and east peaks leaving the center for another day. Did a quick hike over to Basin Peak where the wind was blowing like you wouldn't believe. All in all a great day!
Route Climbed: Summit Block Date Climbed: April 25, 2004
Though there was ample snow cover on the approach to the ridge, snow shoes were not necessary. I carried them on my back for extra exercise. Climbing the summit block and the other central turret was fun. A golden eagle perched on the top took off as I peeked over the summit top. I seemed to be the only one in the area except for a few obnoxious snow mobilers that disturbed my otherwise peaceful trip. I proceeded next to Basin Peak following the ridgeline between it and Casle Peak. Overall, a beautiful, sunny, windless day.
Dave K - Dec 1, 2005 10:58 am
Route Climbed: Traverse from Basin Peak Date Climbed: October 14, 2005The class 4 variation on the summit block was a lot of fun. I just wish it lasted longer!
davis13 - Nov 28, 2005 11:54 am
Route Climbed: SW Ridge from Castle Pass Date Climbed: Nov 28 2005Back on Castle again after 2 years. Climbed with my dog CJ in a couple of inches to maybe a foot of snow in places. Views were great. You could see the Sutter Buttes and the Coastal Range.
emilie - Nov 12, 2005 1:18 am
Route Climbed: Standard Date Climbed: February 2005Ascended Basin Peak, crossed the ridge, ascended Castle Peak and then descended into Round Valley and headed back to the snow cave.
ckerth - Oct 30, 2005 6:50 pm
Route Climbed: Castle Pass Date Climbed: October 29, 2005(July 2008) Fun climbing. Tagged all of the high points along the way.
(May 2006) Climbed the class 3 route to the summit.
(October 2005) Light snow almost all the way up.
Goatherder - Sep 4, 2005 1:02 am
Route Climbed: south side of summit block Date Climbed: August 6, 2004Fun hike, great views...lots of Traffic on I-80. Met a guy whose dog was so tired it looked like it wanted to die.
Ol Walsher - Aug 3, 2005 9:44 pm
Route Climbed: West Ridge Date Climbed: July 9, 2005Fun hike with Laura, Sady and Alan.
McCannster - Aug 3, 2005 7:04 pm
Route Climbed: East Turret Date Climbed: August 3, 2005I went with my grandpa 13 months after a foiled attempt. Climbed the Class 4 of the east turret and signed the notebook that was in the metal box. Fun climb. Went back in Aug of 2006 with Rad.
davis13 - Jul 25, 2005 3:57 pm
Route Climbed: SE ridge Date Climbed: Sept 2001First climb of many in both summer and winter. Great mountain for getting started on both the hiking season and the snowbarding season. NW ridge from the end of the dirt road is the fastest and easiest. Gives quickest access to Basin Peak also.
Samantha - Jul 17, 2005 1:44 pm
Route Climbed: East Turret Date Climbed: July 16, 2002Finally got the summit block, west side. Easy to get to w/o all that snow. Nice way to recover from minor surgery. If I lived in Truckee, this would be my gym for sure. :)
Eric L - Apr 11, 2005 11:30 pm
Route Climbed: West Ridge Date Climbed: 10 April 2005Kristina,Ginger(my dog), and myself made it to the summit after we where turned around by 50 mile and hour winds the day before. We ran into some icy conditions on the Northwest slope and Kristina did not have crampons so I cut steps all the way up. It was a very fun day and good mountaineering practice. There are a lot of fun short vertical ice/snow climbs on this peak that I enjoyed.
danbknox - Feb 27, 2005 10:14 am
Date Climbed: Jan 16 2004Climbed with a group of SAR guys on an avi/winter skills training break. Fun trip, got to ski down.
I was pooped from teaching all day so I didn't make the east turret, only the west turret
RangerAJ - Feb 26, 2005 4:31 pm
Route Climbed: SW Ridge Date Climbed: February 19 2005Snow-shoed in & pitched camp before the pass with three friends. (one on tele-skiis) Lots of traffic on the main trail. (We seemed to be the only ones camping & not in the hut though) Hiked up the SW ridge to the center spire. It snowed steadily all the way to the top. Little visibility at the summit cancelled a try for the East spire. (the true summit, 6ft higher) Toasted with an adult beverage & hiked back down in fresh powder.
Caution advised due to heavy snoe, cornices & avalanche danger in the area.
Eric L - Jan 29, 2005 4:34 pm
Route Climbed: East Turret Date Climbed: 9 October 2004Did this hike from 80 with my girlfriend and my dog. We went up the ridge line from castle pass. My girlfriend and dog stopped at the west turret. I climbed up the east turret. First class three climb. I thought it was real easy.
rhyang - Dec 5, 2004 12:11 am
Route Climbed: East turret (class 3) Date Climbed: 4-December-2004Snowshoed up from Donner Summit via Andesite Peak and Castle Pass. Numerous skiers and snowshoers had come up to the west turret since there was plenty of snow on it, but this day none except me seemed foolhardy enough to climb the true summit block because of the cold harsh wind - temps in the 20's with winds of 25mph gusting to 45 in advance of a storm. Got blasted by wind-driven snow and ice crystals. Lots of good holds - workable even with thick gloves and plastic boots (um, was testing out some gear). Also climbed the middle turret by mistake.
blmcclain - Sep 12, 2004 11:48 pm
Route Climbed: West Ridge/East Turret Date Climbed: Sept. 11th, 2004This was a fun climb! The access gate was open so bpgbennett took his Acura Integra (with it's 4" of ground clearance) back to the trail head saving 1.25 miles one way of dusty road hiking. We climbed up the ridgeline towards the peak stopping to climb a nice little pinnacle on the way (5.2 - 5.3?). Reached the east turret and easily made the trek up the Class 3 route. Both of us were a little surprised at how easy it was. So, after climbing down the Class 3 we walked over the the Class 4 section and scrambled up and down that a few times. No pro or rope, none needed either for this easy section. Would have loved to do some scrambling but a setting sun reminded us that it was time to head back down.
chskier - Jul 18, 2004 10:05 pm
Route Climbed: South west ridge Date Climbed: July 18, 2004Half day hike with the family.
Shaase - Jun 22, 2004 4:00 pm
Route Climbed: Ridge Date Climbed: All Winter q Winter 1991 & onGood snow up high for a winter turns
Jonodo - May 5, 2004 11:41 am
Route Climbed: West Ridge Date Climbed: April 10, 2004Beautiful spring day. Snow was very compact so the snowshoes were just added weight on my pack. We climbed the west and east peaks leaving the center for another day. Did a quick hike over to Basin Peak where the wind was blowing like you wouldn't believe. All in all a great day!
Matthew Holliman - Apr 29, 2004 9:19 pm
Route Climbed: Central Chute on South Face Date Climbed: Feb 13, 2004Climbed with Bob (just for a change). The class 4 variation on the descent of the summit block was great fun--highly recommended!
derbilly - Apr 26, 2004 2:41 pm
Route Climbed: Summit Block Date Climbed: April 25, 2004Though there was ample snow cover on the approach to the ridge, snow shoes were not necessary. I carried them on my back for extra exercise. Climbing the summit block and the other central turret was fun. A golden eagle perched on the top took off as I peeked over the summit top. I seemed to be the only one in the area except for a few obnoxious snow mobilers that disturbed my otherwise peaceful trip. I proceeded next to Basin Peak following the ridgeline between it and Casle Peak. Overall, a beautiful, sunny, windless day.