Mt Disney

Seven of us gathered to hike after trips and atmosphere dwindled the group during September.  We decided to find a better way up Crow's Nest in Royal Gorge by stopping sooner on the dirt road that goes down eventually to the American River.  There was actually a bit of a parking lot by Sterling Canyon where we headed up the steep rutted road to the trails.  It was odd hiking over areas I formerly skied.  We took a footpath up to the ridge of what I think is called Lola's Lookout and Razorback Ridge (black diamond).  The views were magnificent without a trace of smoke.  The ridge then drops some, then climbs steeply up to Crow's Nest.  Sugar Bowl Ski Resort has put a new chairlift up the steep area right below the lava outcropping that forms the summit.  After lunch on the top, we went on, steeply descending again to the saddle ("Disney Traverse") to go back up even  more steeply to the Disney Summit.  California's first ski lift resides there but is no longer in use. It was built in 1939, according to a plaque.  We explored the summit with it's well polished chairs and tables inside what must be a café in the winter.  Oddly enough, we found an open can of gas which might have belonged to the technician who had used a quad (before he, too had to go on foot) to work on the Crow's Nest chairlift.  The hike was about 8 miles with a 2,000 ft. elevation gain.  Areas were very steep.

This hike gave us the idea to explore the other two mountains that Sugar Bowl uses: Judah and Lincoln.  We might throw in Donner at the same time.  Maybe next week - starting at Donner Ski Ranch and the PCT south.  Another idea would be to explore the Snow Mountain area of Royal Gorge.