Red Mountain Snowshoe Hike
	Trip Date:  03/10/2017 Distance: 5.7 Miles Vertical Gain: 150' Group Size: 2 Hike Rating:  Easy   Moderate   Hard   Strenuous	See video of hike   GPX for this trip
	Start Coordinates:   N 38 59.092  W 120 19.751     End Coordinates:   Same as Start Coordinates   Car Shuttle Req'd:   No Parking Directions:   Take Highway 50 to Ice House Road.  Drive about 25 miles north on Ice House Road until you get to Loon Lake.  You will park in the Loon Lake Chalet parking area. Hazards of Note:   Deep snow and lack of trail. Crowd Factor:   Moderate to low in the winter.  On weekends the chalet will be used but parking is for anyone. General Notes: If parking at the chalet head down toward the lake and head across the dam to the north to start the trek.  When you cross over the dam head uphill to the right of the "movie screen" and then head past it and stay as high as possible as you make your way toward the peak to your north.  Dropping down into a couple of gullies is necessary via this route, but the way is pretty straightforward.
	An alternative location for parking is just past the turnoff for the chalet, almost to the point where the road is no longer plowed.  This will cut about 1/2 a mile total off the trek if you can get to the area early enough to find a spot.
	TThe view from the first dam across a frozen Loon Lake to the east.
	Another look across Loon Lake toward Tells Peak in the far distance.
	Past the dam is the first climb up a small hill, just to the right of the communications tower fondly known as the "movie screen."
	Making the climb up from Loon Lake level over terrain that in the summer would be mostly impassable from the brush and manzanita which covers the area.
	Our group collecting itself before the assault on a second big hill on the way.
	The group on its way up the hillside, the second of three good climbs to get to the top of Red Mountain.
	Mark taking a look back at the first hill and gully we have passed since heading up from the lake.
	The final assault on the peak heads up a pretty steep incline.
	Enjoying some lunch at the top with incredible views in all directions.
	Looking toward Tells Peak and some of the further Desolation Wilderness peaks far to the south of our perch on Red Mountain.
	Heading back down a steep section on the way back toward Loon Lake.  Facing the hill like a ladder is the safest way to navigate situations such as these.
	One last look back at Red Mountain, where we enjoyed a cool lunch with spectacular views.
	GPS Track of the full hike.