W6/NS-076 Thimble Peak

This was the third peak Jamie, N6JFD, and I had done, after Round Top and Peak 9795. From the summit of Melissa Coray Peak, we descended to the col with Covered Wagon Peak. There was a marker here noting that this was the highest point of any of the pioneer wagon routes across the Sierra.

Historical Marker.

The next section was one of the hardest of the day. We followed a trail around the north side of Covered Wagon Peak, but the trail dropped down to Kirkwood. So instead we contoured across a steep scree/talus slope. With my hiking poles I made good time, but Jamie was slower, only having two feet. In the col we stopped for a breather, and noticed that it was getting much smokier.

Covered Wagon Peak, flanked by 9795 on the left and Melissa Cora on the right.

The slope up to the summit got steeper as we approached the top of the lift. Past the Ski Patrol hut it got even steeper, becoming class 2-3. There were some faint use trails, and in the end it wasn't as bad as I feared it might be.

Almost to the top. The summit is to the right of the cliff.

There was plenty of space in the activation zone to set up in, and we were able to get enough separation we could both do HF. I setup past the summit, using some krummholz to hold up my pole. Even better, there was a perfect rock for sitting nearby.

First view of Silver Lake as the smoke began to clear. Thunder Mountain on the right.

I started on 40, but only managed two contacts. After switching to 30 I got three more. The 222+ contest was still going on, but I only managed two more contacts with the same station as on 9795. After we had worked everyone, the smoke had cleared and we packed up. I scrambled up to the summit while Jamie finished. As we were leaving the summit, I turned around and saw the smoke from a new fire near Sonora Pass.

Lots of new smoke.

We then descended across the back of the ridge towards Thunder Mountain. After passing the second ski lift, we found the trail marked on the map and took it up towards the summit.

Looking back at Thimble Mountain.

Mokelumne Peak was very distinct in the distance.

I had wanted to tag the summit since it is the Amador County high point. We found a very distinct use trail and took it up to the top. There was no register, but we took some pictures and enjoyed being the highest people in the county.

The ridge we took down.

The sun was starting to set, so we hoofed it down. There was a bit of an uphill over a ridge, then the long descent to Carson Spur.

Kirkwood Lake hidden in the forest.

We stopped occasionally to take in the view, but didn't linger anywhere. The whole area is beautiful, and one could spend all day hiking one of these peaks.

Trailhead: Carson Pass
Website: SOTA Site.
Maps: AA6XA SOTA Hikes map.
Route: Take the PCT and other trails towards Round Top Lake. Continue around to the col with Fourth of July Peak. Climb over the peak, then up to the summit of 9795. Cross over to Melissa Coray Peak, then down and around Covered Wagon Peak. Up the ridge to the summit. A shorter route starts at Carson Spur.
Red Tape: None.

On the way up Thunder Peak is a cave in the rock.