Castle Peak Snowshoe Trip
	Trip Date:  02/16/2013 Distance: 6.5 Miles Vertical Gain: 2000' Group Size: 3 Hike Rating: Easy   Moderate   Hard   Strenuous	GPX for this trip
	Start Coordinates:   N 39 20.399  W 120 20.631     End Coordinates:   Same as Start Coordinates   Car Shuttle Req'd:   No Parking Directions:   Take Highway 80 to the Castle Peak/Boreal Ridge Road exit.  Continue straight off the exit until you reach the parking area near the PCT trailhead in this location. Hazards of Note:   The true summit of Castle Peak requires a 30 foot climb up a sheer volcanic (basalt) formation and should not be attempted alone. Crowd Factor:   Expect to have a few hikers on the trail with you, especially on a weekend.  This is a very popular trail in both summer and winter. The PCT in this area will probably also have people on it at most times. General Notes: For our snow-shoe hike we parked across the highway from the trailhead (where indicated above and had to hike underneath the freeway to  reach the trailhead.
	Phil at the start of the hike.
	Julia leading the charge up the mountain.
	Castle Peak as seen from the trail heading up the hill.
	The three of us at Castle Pass.  Just about halfway to the top from here.
	A look at the final climb up the steep ridge to the top.
	Julia headed up from Castle Pass toward the summit.
	Andesite Peak on the far side of Castle Pass.
	Looking across the basalt formations at the top toward Mount Rose in the distance.
	Julia and Phil having lunch on the top of the mountain.
	Great views south following the PCT toward Tinker Knob and Granite Chief mountains.
	All three of us at the peak!