Waterhouse Peak view worth the climb

Waterhouse Peak, just southwest of Luther Pass, is a moderate class 1 climb that gains just over 1,760 feet in the two-mile off-trail trek to the summit. It's all off trail and steep at times so plan on two hours up, time at the summit and at least an hour or more down. It's possible to do this before lunch if you're just out for exercise.

Park at Luther Pass and head southwest on the old road, cross a cattle guard and, as the road veers east, pick up a use trail continuing southwest along a gently climbing moraine. There are several use trails here. Try to stay on the northwest side of the moraine as the trail dips into a small climbing gully. Continue until the gully levels with the moraine and the route ahead looks cluttered with impassible brush (It's not but you'll wish you hadn't if you continue this way).

Face west and survey the steep lower slopes of the peak. The idea is to take the path of least resistance, switchbacking as necessary to avoid rocks, deadfalls, brush and steeper slopes. You'll be trending more left than right and gaining a couple of gentler benches, each of which blends right back into the peak after a short distance. If you get too far right you'll be on steep rocky slopes while too far left will have you making up new words about manzanita and whitethorn. Rock ducks and footprints may guide you occasionally on this lower section. Trekking poles help in the steeper sections.

Thick forest obscures the view during the initial 1,200 feet of ascent so just keep heading up letting the switchbacks average a west to west southwest heading. Admire the mixed conifers consisting of Jeffrey and lodgepole pine, red fir, white fir while up higher you'll see whitebark and western white pine as well as hemlock on the northeast slopes. Seasonally, mushrooms as well as pinedrops and snowplant, both saprophytic plants, can be seen on the forest floor. Saprophytes lack chlorophyll and obtain nutrients from fungi and bacteria in the soil.

The upper slopes open up to reveal excellent views to the northeast, south and west ranging from Thompson Peak just across Luther Pass to Hawkins Peak immediately southeast and Desert Creek Peak in the distance. Notice double Silver and Highland peaks to the south with Markleeville Peak lower and closer while the Sierra crest and Stevens Peak fill the western view.

That's Scotts Lake, 1,500 feet below, between you and Stevens Peak. It's on the West Carson watershed while just a few hundred yards northwest and over the divide are the rivulets that form Big Meadow Creek, part of the Upper Truckee Watershed.

The gradient eases on these upper slopes but the climb continues. The summit is obscured by trees until you gain the south ridge, turn right and climb the last steep rocky area and you're on it. Near the top of the rocky summit find a benchmark and a register in an ammunition canister. Sign in and enjoy the view. Notice Lake Tahoe, visible through stands of hemlock, to the north-northwest.

You'll be glad you brought poles on the way down. Steep slopes, rocks, duff and deadfalls make for uneven footing at times. Try to retrace your uphill route. Take a bearing on Thompson Peak and remember that Luther Pass is slightly right of its summit.

Face Luther Pass and notice sun azimuth by using the position of your shadow. Once in the forest you can use that to average your switchbacks in that direction remembering, of course, that the apparent motion of the sun is 15 degrees per hour due to the earth's rotation. Begin by heading down the south ridge, turn left, drop into the forest and traverse as necessary. Be patient, going down is harder than coming up.

Lots of water and some cached in the car, high energy snacks, map, compass, extra clothes, rain gear, sunscreen, signaling device, first-aid kit, survival tool, emergency fire starter (don't use it unless it's a matter of survival) and whatever else you usually carry should be sufficient.

According to Gudde's "Place Names," Waterhouse Peak was named by the U.S. Forest Service in memory of Clark Waterhouse, who was in charge of Angora Lookout and died during the First World War. Nancy Thornburg kindly furnished that information.

Note: Sierra wildflowers are in full bloom, generally at 8,000 feet plus or minus 1,000 feet depending on aspect.