Climb up to Red Top Mountain, Sierra Nevada CA

[eurosonic]

Over the weekend went up a climb to a place called Red Top mountain. Located on one of the highest points in Sierra Nevada mountain range is a fire watch-out station for the original Transcontinental Railroad which was built in the late 18th century. Elevation over 7500 ft.

Located about 70 miles from Sacramento, off of Eagle Nest exit on I-80. Awesome trail, few stream crossings, alot of rock and some mud towards the top of the mountain. Trail was pretty challenging at times, rear locker helped quite a bit.

Next time would love to trek up this thing with few other rigs, perfect day trip and maybe stay the night. Saw many perfect places to camp for the night.

Any ways here are some pics


Gassin up

Pictures dont do justice, this part was extremely steep:Wow1:

Still some snow left over all the way on top.

 

[eurosonic]

Finally parked

The watch station

Cozy

Premium view overlooking the mountains,

I80 westbound along with rail road to the left

Doritos bloated due to high elevation

Cisco exit

Found a shackle...score!

so worth it!

Litterally on the tip of the mountain

View from the highway below, that dot up top is the watchtower

made home nice and safe and filthy

 

[Mc Taco]

Nice write up. Great pictures.

 

[cap510]

Nice!

 

[Purpledawg]

Very cool!

 

[slomatt]

Nice writeup. Approximately how long of a drive is it from highway 80 to the top of the mountain? We are heading up to Tahoe in a few weeks and I might try to find time to fit this trail into the schedule. Is it clearly marked from the Eagle Nest exit?

- Matt

 

[eurosonic]

The amount of time to get to the top depends on how fast you're gonna climb the mountain, especially the rocky terrain. I had a spotter guide me through quite of few times. So constantly in and out of car, plus we took a few breaks going up to cool off and enjoy the scenery. It took us couple of hours to get to the top.

The trail is not clearly marked off the exit. There is two ways to get to the top, one is off the Eagles Lakes Exit and other is off of Cisco Exit. We came back down the trail on the opposite side of the mountain that leads to Cisco Exit. That trail is was much easier, I think a Subaru forester, Honda CRV or Toy RAV4 would be able to go through it.

Ill post links with detailed directions to reach the top from both of the mountains sides.

 

[eurosonic]

Here are the directions from the Cisco Exit>>>

http://www.sierraoutdoorrecreation.com/Members/OHV Routes/Signal_Peak.cfm


and from the Eagles Lakes Exit>>>

http://www.sierranevadageotourism.org/content/red-mountain/sieB3109CB150D2DF5A2

 

[Clem]

Cool little trip.

Thanks for sharing,

Clem

 

[roverrocks]

Nice adventure!

 

[nwoods]

Excellent post. Looks like a great little trail with a nice spot for lunch. Fantastic looking Montero also

 

[rkj__]

That sounds like a really fun adventure. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Richie]

It looks like you had fun. Nice rig!

 

[Mad Matt]

Damn, almost makes me want to live in Sacramento again. Love the Pajero!

 

[4x4mike]

Nice writeup. Approximately how long of a drive is it from highway 80 to the top of the mountain? We are heading up to Tahoe in a few weeks and I might try to find time to fit this trail into the schedule. Is it clearly marked from the Eagle Nest exit?

- Matt

Matt, Ken and I are heading up here soon if you're interested. We'd be taking a day off of work and making it a day trip.