Summary 
| Difficulty | 3 Intermediate |
| Length | 2.8 miles round trip |
| Starting Elevation |
8550 feet |
| Cumulative Elevation Change |
+550, -550 round trip |
| Navigation | Map |
| Time | Half day |
| Season | Mid-December through late April |
| Snowmobiles Use | Not permitted [Please report illegal use of snowmobiles in this area.] |
| USGS Topo | 7.5' series, Mount Rose |
| Start | Highway 431, 6.6 miles northeast of Highway 28 and 1.5 miles southwest of Mount Rose Summit. This is where Ophir Creek intersects the highway and just north of the trees that border the south side of Tahoe Meadows. |
Description
The addition of Peak 8843 to the Ophir Creek tour results in a unique mix of beginner meadow skiing with intermediate peak skiing. But what makes it outrageously fine is the 360 degree panorama from the summit followed by a descent of an amazingly perfect intermediate downhill slope.
Looking down Ophir Creek (photo taken during drought)
Peak 8843 from Mount Rose Highway (this is not the route described in this tour)
At the farthest point along the tour you have a view east down to Washoe Lake. The ascent and descent of the peak is over open terrain with a uniform slope. Due to the southern exposure of this slope, the snow consolidates rapidly here and the lack of many travelers over this section means that you are likely to fine excellent snow conditions on a warm day after consolidation occurs. In addition, the entire slope between the ascent and descent shown on the map is almost treeless providing much room to make turns at your whim.
The summit of Peak 8843 is adorned with rock outcroppings that enhance its beauty. Counterclockwise beginning with looking northeast toward the microwave towers on Slide Mountain the panorama from the summit includes:
Mount Rose Summit
Mount Rose Highway
Ridge of Tamarack Peak
Ginny Lake drainage
Peaks to the west of Lake Tahoe
Route to Diamond Peak
Washoe Lake
Mileage Log
Numbers in parentheses
correspond to mileage points on map
Waypoint 1 to 2
Miles: 0.0 - 0.7
Elevation change: -100 feet
From the trailhead (1) ski east and then slightly south of east along Ophir Creek for a total of 0.7 mile until you reach trees that divide the path ahead into two possible routes (2), the obvious open one along the creek and the other one slightly to the north through scattered trees.
Cars line this popular trailhead
Waypoint 2 to 3
Miles: 0.7 - 1.0
Elevation change: -50 feet
Continue east along the creek for 0.3 mile until you reach the point where the route ahead is obviously better by veering slightly north and slightly up from the creek (3).
Waypoint 3 to 4
Miles: 1.0 - 1.2
Elevation change: -50 feet
Continue east along the north side of the creek and slightly above it for 0.2 mile until you reach the point where the creek drops abruptly as it continues east (4).
Waypoint 4 to 3
Miles: 1.2 - 1.4
Elevation change: +50 feet
Retrace the route west for 0.2 mile until you reach mileage point (3).
Waypoint 3 to 5
Miles: 1.4 - 1.5
Elevation change: +50 feet
Ski slightly north of west through well-spaced trees for 0.1 mile until you reach a point from which you can easily ascend north to Peak 8843 (5).
Waypoint 5 to 6
Miles: 1.5 - 1.8
Elevation change: +400 feet
Climb north for 0.3 mile until you reach the summit of Peak 8843 (6).
Waypoint 6 to 7
Miles: 1.8 - 2.2
Elevation change: -350 feet
Descend southwest for 0.4 mile until you reach level terrain (7).
Waypoint 7 to 1
Miles: 2.2 - 2.8
Elevation change: +50 feet
Ski west for 0.6 mile until you reach the trailhead (1).
