Waterhouse Peak Backcountry Tour
Miles & Elevation (skin-up): ~1.5 m, ~1,700 ft gain/~0 ft loss
GPX: https://caltopo.com/m/TA2T0 (Both aren't actually from the trip but were created afterward)
Parking: Roughly https://goo.gl/maps/yj2uxafkfQH2rn5L8. Tons of pullouts with parking off 89 near the trailhead. Make sure to avoid parking in any of the tow-away zones (clearly marked on the road). Despite it being popular and the parking being shared for a couple other peaks, I've never encountered any parking issues.
This is a go-to tour for my partner and me since it's so easy to get to (avoids most ski traffic coming from the bay area), is low-angle and thus rarely has avalanche risk, and has lovely snow days after a snowstorm because of the tree coverage.
After parking, head southwest. First, cross over a meadow and then start the climb. Every time we've been there, there have been multiple skin tracks. We cross-reference our downloaded GPX with the skin trail to ensure we remain on the right track.
It's a relatively easy climb up and mainly through the trees. There is a false summit on the way where we sometimes stop for a snack and see the view or even as a turning back point if we're running low on time.
Once at the top, the view is stunning. Mountains are on all sides. And you're on a beautiful ridge line that continues to the next mountaintop.
For the descent, we like going closer to the skin track, and sometimes even left of it, and staying in the trees. From online research, most folks go much more right from the skin trail. We've found the best snow on the mountain, and the least touched is in the trees near the skin trail.
Once near the meadow, we always have to put on our skins again for the last ~¼ of a mile to get back to the car.
It's a fun tour. We've done it as a big day trip from SF (3 hours each way) and returning from Mammoth Lakes, where it's a perfect halfway pit stop. It is a good before-work or after-work tour if you live close by.
Links used when planning:
https://www.powderproject.com/trail/7000836/waterhouse-peak
https://thebackcountry.com/waterhouse-peak/
https://www.hikingproject.com/trail/7064215/waterhouse-peak-winter-route
https://www.outdoorproject.com/united-states/california/waterhouse-peak