Squaw Valley to Sugar Bowl Series LbNA #10203
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Add Location| Owner: | Doublesaj & Old Blue
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|---|---|
| Plant date: | Aug 14, 2004 |
| Location: | |
| City: | Squaw Valley |
| County: | Placer |
| State: | California |
| Boxes: | 2 |
| Found by: | The Northerner (2) |
|---|---|
| Last found: | Jul 18, 2013 |
| Status: | FF |
| Last edited: | Aug 3, 2020 |
Clues: Mentally easy
Hike: Strenuous
Distance: 8 miles and 11 miles respectively, one way. Our suggestion is to have someone drop you off at Squaw Valley and pick you up at Sugar Bowl Ski Area or have 2 cars and leave one at either end. This will result in a one-way trip of approx. 15 miles. To obtain all 3 boxes, you need to be an experienced hiker and take at least 3 litres of water per person. The beautiful views afforded by hiking the ridge line of the Sierra also means there is no water and little shade available. It would be reasonable to get Box #1 and Box #3 individually on round-trip hikes of about 4 miles each. It is my expectation that you have and know how to read a trail map. You should not be making this journey if you are not an experienced hiker.
"The Tahoe Sierra" a book by Jeffrey Schaffer, contains many hikes in the area including maps that will aid in finding these boxes.
This letterbox quest takes you to the Pacific Crest Trail between Squaw Valley and Sugar Bowl near Donner Summit on Old US 40.
Box #1 Granite Chief--RETIRED.
Box #2 Tinker's Knob
Proceed north on the PCT to Tinker's Knob approx. 6 miles. You will traverse the Sierra Divide and find outstanding views. This portion of the PCT encounters a climb of approx. 1,400 feet (for serious hikers only). The PCT passes just east of Tinker's Knob. A trail from the PCT to the top of Tinker's Knob begins on its northerly side. Go up this trail 70 (tired) steps and look over your left shoulder. You will see a small rock outcrop with a glimpse of Tahoe behind it through the trees. Go to this outcrop. Under the southerly most rock, under a few small rocks, the Tinker's Knob Lb is hidden.
Box #3 Red Ink
This box is dedicated to the Legislature of California who, fortunately, had very little to do with the creation of the Pacific Crest Trail. From the Tinker's Knob box, continue north on the PCT approx. 5 miles. You will pass Mt. Lincoln with the Sugar Bowl chair lift going to its top on your left. Approx. 1/2 mile north of here, the trail will fork with the PCT going to the left and the Mt. Judah Loop trail going to the right. This is the southerly connection of the Mt. Judah Loop trail with the PCT. Go to this fork and face up the Mt. Judah Loop trail. Turn 180 degrees and you will see a 30" cedar with a large root "hump" on its easterly side. On the far side of this tree, under a pile of rocks, your reward is hidden. (You do not need to move the largest rock in this pile).
To return to civilization, proceed north approx. 2 miles to Donner Pass Road near Sugar Bowl Ski Area.
Hike length: 8+ miles
Hike: Strenuous
Distance: 8 miles and 11 miles respectively, one way. Our suggestion is to have someone drop you off at Squaw Valley and pick you up at Sugar Bowl Ski Area or have 2 cars and leave one at either end. This will result in a one-way trip of approx. 15 miles. To obtain all 3 boxes, you need to be an experienced hiker and take at least 3 litres of water per person. The beautiful views afforded by hiking the ridge line of the Sierra also means there is no water and little shade available. It would be reasonable to get Box #1 and Box #3 individually on round-trip hikes of about 4 miles each. It is my expectation that you have and know how to read a trail map. You should not be making this journey if you are not an experienced hiker.
"The Tahoe Sierra" a book by Jeffrey Schaffer, contains many hikes in the area including maps that will aid in finding these boxes.
This letterbox quest takes you to the Pacific Crest Trail between Squaw Valley and Sugar Bowl near Donner Summit on Old US 40.
Box #1 Granite Chief--RETIRED.
Box #2 Tinker's Knob
Proceed north on the PCT to Tinker's Knob approx. 6 miles. You will traverse the Sierra Divide and find outstanding views. This portion of the PCT encounters a climb of approx. 1,400 feet (for serious hikers only). The PCT passes just east of Tinker's Knob. A trail from the PCT to the top of Tinker's Knob begins on its northerly side. Go up this trail 70 (tired) steps and look over your left shoulder. You will see a small rock outcrop with a glimpse of Tahoe behind it through the trees. Go to this outcrop. Under the southerly most rock, under a few small rocks, the Tinker's Knob Lb is hidden.
Box #3 Red Ink
This box is dedicated to the Legislature of California who, fortunately, had very little to do with the creation of the Pacific Crest Trail. From the Tinker's Knob box, continue north on the PCT approx. 5 miles. You will pass Mt. Lincoln with the Sugar Bowl chair lift going to its top on your left. Approx. 1/2 mile north of here, the trail will fork with the PCT going to the left and the Mt. Judah Loop trail going to the right. This is the southerly connection of the Mt. Judah Loop trail with the PCT. Go to this fork and face up the Mt. Judah Loop trail. Turn 180 degrees and you will see a 30" cedar with a large root "hump" on its easterly side. On the far side of this tree, under a pile of rocks, your reward is hidden. (You do not need to move the largest rock in this pile).
To return to civilization, proceed north approx. 2 miles to Donner Pass Road near Sugar Bowl Ski Area.
Hike length: 8+ miles