Castle/Basin

Looking up Castle Valley to our goal

Four of us headed up Castle Valley under a thin overcast.  We turned at Castle Pass to climb Castle Peak.  Having gotten there by noon, we ate our lunch.  The weather was warm and the wind on top NOT howling and rather toasty as well.  After lunch we headed down to the ridge between Castle and Basin Peaks which is certainly one of the most beautiful parts of the hike.  On top of Basin Peak, we found our last year's entries in the sign-in book and penned another.  As we observed the scene, John had another idea for an interesting and untried (by us) hike.  We would head up the PCT, peel off on the trail by Basin, and head cross-country over the saddle at the base between Paradise Valley and Warren Lake.  We would hit the Warren Lake trail and head back to Frog Lake Overlook area and down to the intersection with the PCT.  A big clockwise circle.

From Castle Peak looking towards Basin

Coming down Basin, we stayed on the ridge trail rather than our usual down hill cross-country.  The going was fairly easy as we went past our favorite meadow and down to Peter Grubb hut which is closed due to needed repair work.  The bathrooms are open but kind of trashy. 

We had hiked 10.5 miles with a 2400 ft. elevation gain.

From Castle Peak



From Castle Peak

Looking back at Castle Peak from ridge trail

Hiking along ridge between peaks