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Photos Maps Summary: Here, we describe a short-cut route to the top of Tinker Knob and Anderson Peak in the Tahoe National Forest. Other routes to these PCT destinations include Donner Pass (Mt Judah Loop trailhead), Coldstream Trailhead, and Squaw Valley. Those routes easily push the mileage over 10 miles with quite a bit of elevation gain/loss. This hike, first described by Ted's Outdoor World website, requires much less effort with all of the highlights. However, the road up is not the best so high clearance and good tires are recommended. The views from the PCT, Tinker Knob, and Anderson Peak are not to be missed.Distance: 6.0 miles totalElevation Gain/Loss: 1,835' totalSeason: July to late-October (whenever the road is clear past Old Stanford Wood Camp)Fees & Permits: None for dayhikers (not sure about overnighters)Finding the Trailhead: 39.25561 N, 120.26889 W (4WD Road, as far as you're comfortable driving). Check out the topo map provided on the Maps page to see the correct roads (highlighted in red with black circles marking important junctions). From the I-80/CA-89 intersection in Truckee, follow CA-89 south to the stoplight at Deerfield Drive. From here, continue south for ~3.0 miles and turn right onto Cabin Creek Road. Follow this for ~1.0 mile and turn left onto the dirt road (39.28833 N, 120.21362 W). Follow this west for ~0.2 miles and stay left as it curves to the south. After a total of ~0.8 miles the road T's into another dirt road (39.28086 N, 120.21718 W). Turn right and follow the road as it parallels Camp Creek uphill to the west. Follow this dirt road as it steeply climbs, ignoring all other side-roads. After ~2.0 miles on this road (Wood Camp Road?), it reaches a Y-intersection (39.27839 N, 120.24502 W). Turn left and head northwest and west. Ignore all other side-roads and follow the road (still Wood Camp Road?) as it turns sharply to the south-southeast after ~0.5 miles. At ~1.1 miles the road turns sharply again to the east. At ~1.4 miles another Y-intersection is reached (39.26696 N, 120.24715 W). Turn right and head to the southwest then west. After ~0.3 miles on this road it reaches its own Y-intersection (39.26585 N, 12025194 W). Turn left and after a further of ~0.3 miles on this road turn left again (straight ahead, the dirt road leads to the southern end of a wet meadow filled with corn lilies). This road heads south-southwest before turning west. After ~0.6 miles from the last turn, the road splits (39.25823 N, 120.26286 W). Stay left and follow the road to the south and southwest as far as you are comfortable driving (we stopped after ~0.45 miles due to snow). About 0.2 miles from where the road splits, the topo maps indicate there is a gate (~39.25608 N, 120.26442 W). We passed through this gate (last black circle marked on the topo), but don't remember exactly where it was. Having a map and GPS is a very good idea if you attempt to find this shortcut start for Tinker Knob.
The Hike: All the mileages we report here are from our car, but may vary depending on where you park. Walk the 4WD dirt road to the west as it skirts around the northern slope of Ridge 8284. There are some decent views of Castle Peak to the north in a few open areas next to the road. Immediately west of the summit of Ridge 8284 leave the road to the south (39.24973 N, 120.27904 W) and find the ridge trail (~200 feet from the road; ~0.5 miles from our car). Turn right and follow the ridge trail to the southwest and downhill to a saddle. The ridge trail then climbs back up and skirts just around the northern side of a little rocky peak. If in doubt about where the trail is, stay as close to the ridgeline as the terrain will allow (i.e., don't go too far downhill from the ridgeline toward the road). The views down into Deep Creek Canyon are nice and up toward Tinker Knob. The ridge trail then descends again to rejoin the 4WD dirt road (~0.8 miles). After only ~175' on the road, the trail leading up to the PCT (Coldstream Trail?) is reached. Turn right and start climbing to the west then south. Look north down the South Fork Coldstream Canyon and toward Castle Peak and I-80 just below Donner Summit. Also, check out the wildflower display here. On the last day of May, 2014 we saw a ton of prairie smoke, daggerpod, wallflowers, and phlox. At ~1.1 miles the first of a pair of switchbacks is reached. The PCT is reached at ~1.4 miles with fantastic views to the southeast toward Lake Tahoe and south toward Granite Chief and the Crystal Range beyond. Turn right to follow the PCT uphill toward Tinker Knob. To the east of Tinker Knob is a sign indicating the peak but continue up the PCT a little ways to the actual Tinker Knob side-trail junction (~1.6 miles).
We decided to continue to Anderson Peak first, but you can turn left here to summit Tinker Knob. The PCT continues to the northwest and views down the North Fork American River Canyon begin to open up with Snow Mountain. We found tons of huge onions ready to burst and a ton of mound draba surrounding the trail. Be careful not to trample this tough and native but rare little mound of yellow flowers. As you continue along the ridge look back at Tinker Knob and Granite Chief. At ~2.4 miles we left the PCT at the top of a pair of switchbacks to the northwest and slightly descended before leveling out for a little while. We eventually began to climb to the northwest to the southern side of Anderson Peak. There are three depressions on the south side of the peak separated by higher ground (picture the back/top of an enormous sting ray swimming away from you). Aim for the small middle depression (between the two sting ray eyes). The larger depression on the right (right wing of a sting ray) is filled with large boulders and will be harder to pass through. The same goes for the larger left depression (left sting ray wing). If you pick the correct path, you'll still pass through some rocks but it will mostly be scree and you'll pass through a section with some vegetation. Here, you should start to turn to the north and northeast. Head for the piles of boulders that look like the top of the peak. Soon you should come upon the USGS-placed summit marker a little northwest of the Sierra Club-placed summit register (~2.85 miles). We found a nice rock wind-barrier to sit in and have some lunch after signing the register. Check out the views from the northern side of the summit. Lake Tahoe is also visible to the southeast.
After enjoying the views, retrace your steps back to the Tinker Knob side-trail junction (~4.1 miles). Follow the small trail to the southwest before reaching the base of the large pile of rocks and scree. Pick your way up the many-branched trail to the rocky summit (~4.2 miles). Here, are more fantastic views in every direction. The best views of Lake Tahoe during this hike are from here. Monument Peak (Heavenly Ski Resort), Jobs Sister, Jobs Peak, and Freel Peak can be seen just beyond the southeastern end of the lake. The Crystal Range is also clearly visible to the south. After enjoying these fabulous views, retrace your steps back down to the PCT, then Coldstream Trail, then ridge trail, then 4WD dirt road back to your car (~6.0 miles for us).
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