Summary 
| Difficulty | 4 Intermediate-advanced |
| Length | 11.2 miles round trip |
| Starting Elevation |
6000 feet |
| Cumulative Elevation Change |
+2350, -2350 round trip |
| Navigation | Road and map |
| Time | Full day |
| Season | Late December through mid-April |
| Snowmobiles Use | Not permitted [Please report illegal use of snowmobiles in this area.] |
| USGS Topo | 7.5' series, Tahoe City, Granite Chief |
| Start | Highway 89 at the intersection with the Pole Creek road, 6.2 miles south of Interstate 80, 7.5 miles north of Tahoe City, and immediately south of Pole Creek. |
Description
This loop tour combines the Bradley Hut tour, which follows a road to the hut, with an outstanding, but more difficult, return route that descends along a ridge top for part of the way. The section along the ridge offers a wonderful change from the roads skied to the hut and is full of magnificent vistas before rejoining the road that was skied to the hut. There are also excellent opportunities along the ridge to drop your pack and enjoy yo-yoing on open slopes.
Refer to the Bradley Hut tour for information on hut reservations.
Mileage Log
Numbers in parentheses
correspond to mileage points on map
Waypoint 1 to 2
Miles: 0.0 - 1.9
Elevation change: +650 feet
From the trailhead (1) ascend generally east on the convoluted snow-covered road for 1.9 miles until you reach a road junction (2). The road to the west (left) is part of the Saddle Trail Loop and the Silver Peak tours. The tour to Bradley Hut continues north (straight) on the main road.
Waypoint 2 to 3
Miles: 1.9 - 2.4
Elevation change: +50, -150 feet
Continue north (straight) on the main road, then northwest and finally cross Pole Creek on a bridge for a total of 0.5 mile until you reach a road junction (3). The road to the east (right) is part of the Pole Creek Loop tour and leads back to Highway 89. The road to the west (left) leads to Bradley Hut.
Waypoint 3 to 4
Miles: 2.4 - 3.0
Elevation change: +200 feet
Turn west (left) and follow the road for 0.6 mile until you reach a 180-degree turn to the right (4).
Waypoint 4 to 5
Miles: 3.0 - 3.2
Elevation change: +100 feet
Make the turn and continue on the road to the east for 0.2 mile until you reach a road junction (5) where the main road turns 180 degrees to the left and heads west. The road to the north is part of the Pole Creek to Deep Creek tour and part of this tour's return route.
Waypoint 5 to 6
Miles: 3.2 - 4.1
Elevation change: +450 feet
Ski west on the road for 0.9 mile until you come to a distinct open area (6). The topographic map shows a road junction in this clearing, but it is very unlikely that you will see it.
Waypoint 6 to 7
Miles: 4.1 - 4.7
Elevation change: +250 feet
Climb on the road to the west (straight) for 0.6 mile until you reach Bradley Hut (7). In the clearing you left behind, do not take the road south (left) if it is visible. Also, there is another road junction 0.1 mile before reaching the hut. It is unlikely that you will see the junction, but if you do, continue straight ahead on the north (right) fork.
Waypoint 7 to 8
Miles: 4.7 - 5.2
Elevation change: +500 feet
Climb north for 0.5 mile until you reach the saddle (8) to the west of Peak 8149. This section is unsafe when unstable snow conditions exist.
Waypoint 8 to 9
Miles: 5.2 - 5.4
Elevation change: -50 feet
Ski east, skirting Peak 8149 on its south side, and then loop north for a total of 0.2 mile until you reach the ridge (9) of which Peak 8149 is a part. As an alternative you can ski east from the saddle (8) over Peak 8149 to reach mileage point 9, but even in mid-winter you are likely to face exposed rocks along that route.
Waypoint 9 to 10
Miles: 5.4 - 6.3
Elevation change: -250 feet
Ski east along the ridge for 0.9 mile until you reach the location on the ridge where it becomes noticeably more steep (10). Along the ridge there are excellent opportunities to enjoy slopes descending to the north. The Pole Creek to Deep Creek tour describes an 1100-foot descent from the ridge north to Deep Creek.
Waypoint 10 to 11
Miles: 6.3 - 6.4
Elevation change: -150 feet
Descend southeast (left) for 0.1 mile until you intersect a road (11). Be aware that the road is hard to see where it crosses an open section — look for the road where it enters the trees.
Waypoint 11 to 12
Miles: 6.4 - 6.6
Elevation change: -100 feet
Turn south (right) onto the road and follow it for 0.2 mile until you reach a very sharp turn in the road (12). This is the first of two such turns.
Waypoint 12 to 13
Miles: 6.6 - 7.2
Elevation change: -350 feet
Make the sharp turn to the left and continue to ski generally northeast on the road for 0.6 mile until you reach a second very sharp turn in the road (13).
Waypoint 13 to 14
Miles: 7.2 - 7.6
Elevation change: -100 feet
Make the sharp turn to the right and continue to ski south for 0.4 mile until the terrain becomes flat and more open, and you are on a broad ridge (14).
Waypoint 14 to 5
Miles: 7.6 - 8.0
Elevation change: -200 feet
Cross the broad ridge and descend to the southwest on the road for a total of 0.4 mile until you intersect the road you skied to Bradley Hut (5). In the flat area on the broad ridge you may have to look hard to determine where the road is located.
Return to trailhead
Miles: 8.0 - 11.2
Elevation change: +150, -1000 feet
Retrace your original route for 3.2 miles back to the trailhead (1).
