Meeks Traverse

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April 4-5, 2015
The Meeks Traverse is a combination of two relatively nondescript ridges on the southwestern side of the Lake Tahoe Basin. The two ridges are unique in that they provide very different vantage points of the surrounding terrain. The eastern ridge rises seemingly directly above Lake Tahoe itself, and involves expansive views of its large blue surface. The western ridge provides extensive views of the many lakes and peaks of the Desolation Wilderness and Crystal Range to the west. With an elevation gain totaling around 7,000 ft, the Meeks Traverse is designed to be a relatively laid back route which can be completed in a 1-2 days in summer or 2-3 days in winter/spring. For those who are looking at getting started with ridge traversing, I would definitely recommend this route.

Chris, Mason, and I planned to start the traverse from Meeks Trailhead (6,250 ft) early Saturday morning, heading a short distance south onto the obvious ridge which continued south. This ridge included the first four peaks on the traverse (Rubicon through Emerald). From Emerald, we would head west to cross the Meeks Creek Drainage and gain the second ridge at Phipps Pass (0.5 mi NE of Phipps Peak). We would then follow that ridge northward to Lost Duck Peak, then descend back into the Meeks Creek Drainage, pick up the single well defined trail that ran through the drainage, and follow it for a few miles northeast back to Meeks Trailhead.

Getting to the trailhead

Trailhead coordinates (lat/lon): 39.037313, -120.126347

The table below includes every peak (traversing clockwise) on the Meeks Traverse. For unnamed peaks, I have dubbed names for them which are derived from the names of nearby lakes and passes. These dubbed names are in quotes. Peaks without quotes are either officially named by the USGS or were found named by previous parties who had written them in summit registers.

Peak	Elevation	Topographic Prominence	Summit Coordinates (lat/lon)
Rubicon Peak	9,183 ft	243 ft	38.988575, -120.133392
"Stoney Ridge Peak"	9,269 ft	889 ft	38.983666, -120.129619
Jakes Peak	9,187 ft	207 ft	38.970058, -120.12291
Emerald Point	9,195 ft	295 ft	38.960626, -120.123961
Phipps Peak	9,234 ft	414 ft	38.954692, -120.149936
Haakens Peak	9,310 ft	1,410 ft	38.97032, -120.149381
Crag Peak	9,054 ft	74 ft	38.976976, -120.152042
"Meeks Peak"	8,721 ft	341 ft	38.985272, -120.163944
"Lost Duck Peak"	7,980 ft	360 ft	39.013488, -120.17094

Trip report (click on day 1 to begin)

Day 1: Meeks Trailhead to Haakens Peak

Day 2: Haakens Peak to Meeks Trailhead

Total Stats
18.6 miles    7,080 ft gain/loss

Map (Since Blogger does not let me upload this file at full size, email me at eric.jsc@gmail.com for a full sized version of this map)

Weather Forecasts

Meeks Trailhead
all peaks
Rubicon Peak
Phipps Peak

Peakbagger Pages
Rubicon Peak
Stoney Ridge Peak
Jakes Peak
Emerald Point
Phipps Peak
Haakens Peak
Crag Peak
Meeks Peak
Lost Duck Peak

Summitpost Pages
Rubicon Peak
Stoney Ridge Peak
Emerald Point
Phipps Peak

Other
The Backcountry message board
High Sierra Topix message board
Desolation Wilderness