01 Jan 25 - Conditions Report: Winter Hike on Rt. 168 to Lake Sabrina

Hello y'all!

We have had easily over 50+ people come into the store the last few days asking where are the best spots to hike or snowshoe in the local area and what type of gear/footwear is needed to do it safely. One of our favorite spots to recommend at the moment for those looking for a short, straightforward adventure that comes with outsized views is hiking California Rt. 168 from the gate closure in Aspendell to Lake Sabrina and back (with the option to hop on the trail for a bit as well if so desired). To maintain the most up-to-date information on the conditions up there so we can provide the best advice possible, one of our staff members who also works as a guide, Colin B., went up there yesterday afternoon to enjoy his day off and check out the conditions.

Conditions Report:

Current As Of: 01 January 2025*

Rt. 168 is melted out down to pavement all the way up to the gate closure (and even a little beyond) so you can park on the shoulder right before the gate without issue. (In fact, you only start encountering patchy snow between 7k-8k feet in elevation depending on the slope aspect.) The large slope above the road beyond the gate, which is a traditional avalanche hazard has patchy and minimal snow coverage making the avalanche concern a non-factor at the moment. The road itself has patchy snow/ice for the first quarter mile before becoming a consistently covered with variable snow and ice up to 12-16" in places but usually 6-8" and less. This snow/ice coverage is being consolidated with daily freeze/thaw cycles and consistent foot traffic causing it to harden and become increasingly icy with each passing day. I walked the first quarter-mile in my boots without any traction devices before stopping to put on my short aluminum crampons because I would slip a little every few steps which was annoying and making the experience less enjoyable. I saw other people go all the way up to the lake without traction devices, but they were walking very hesitantly. It took me about 1 hour to go from the gate to the lake at a leisurely pace and about 50 mins to return once I started back (after 10 mins of taking photos up at the lake). It is between 3.5 and 4 miles round-trip.

Snowshoes or microspikes are absolutely recommended for those just going up to the lake. If going onto the trail next to the lake, we recommend short (aluminum) crampons or snowshoes. The snowshoes are less for flotation and more for  the traction provided by the cleats/crampons on the bottom.

Don't hesitate to call us or stop in the store if you have any further questions or need to rent some snowshoes/crampons to be safe out there!

View from the parking turnoff right before the gate closure on Rt. 168 in Aspendell

The first quarter-mile of the road beyond the gate. Note the large sections melted down to asphalt.

One mile up Rt. 168 from the parking area just past the turnoff for North Lake

The final 100 meters to the Lake Sabrina parking lot is the first area you see melted-out asphalt since the initial quarter mile.

Panorama view of Lake Sabrina

Partial ice coverage on Lake Sabrina and pretty consistent snow coverage in the mountains, though shallow at this point in the season.

Comparison photos on snow depth at its greatest

Gorgeous sunset colors from the parking turnoff at the end

*All conditions reports are subject to change, increasingly so with each passing day since the observation(s) were made. They are provided as a tool to assist your adventuring, not to replace your own risk management and decision-making. No information in any trip or conditions report published by Eastside Sports should be considered definitive in its information or directive in its recommendation.