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Snowshoeing: Making trails in the Sierra Nevada

As soon as the snow starts falling Mike White gets itchy heels. While friends and family are packing their pantry, White is dusting off snowshoes and thumbing through maps of the Sierra Nevada.

"I definitely have to go out or I'll go crazy," said Mike White, author of Snowshoe Trails of California. "The Sierra Mountains offer fabulous topography and plenty of diversity."

White grew up in Oregon but now lives in Nevada, not far from his beloved Tahoe backcountry.

"My parents weren't outdoor enthusiasts but we had a neighbor who was," White recalled. "He would take me and his two sons to Mt. Hood. Once I got exposed to hiking, I found my niche."

In the early 1990s White came across a small ad that turned into a life-changing event. He was employed as a draftsman at an engineering firm. The job was stable but his heart was restless.

"I love to be in the mountains and enjoying the tranquility and beauty of creation," White said.

The little ad announced an opening for a writer of wilderness guides. White had never written professionally but figured "What the heck?" He called the publisher, who promptly gave him a trial assignment in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

"I went out on hike and came back and wrote about it," White remembered. Next thing he knew White was making plans to quite his job, become a home dad and write wilderness guides for a living.

Nineteen years and almost as many books later White still relishes time in the outdoors. His credits include Snowshoe Trails in Tahoe: Best Routes in the Tahoe Sierra and Snowshoe Trails in Yosemite. He also has written several books on summer hiking.

All his journeys have taken White throughout the immense wilderness in California and have turned him into a frequent speaker on his favorite subject matter. Namely, White simply loves to talk about hiking and visiting backcountry places you can't get to by car.

"Snowshoeing is for everybody,'" White said. "Once you figure out how to get your boots into the bindings, it doesn't take a lot to master the sport."

White imbues the same enthusiasm as every mountaineer since Spanish explorers gazed onto California's whitened ridges in the 1700s and called them "Sierra Nevada," or "snowy saw tooth." The Sierra range contains more than 12 million acres of public lands.

White listed several favorite spots to seek the beauty and solitude of backcountry in Northern and Southern Sierra. He also provided a checklist for snowshoeing explorers:

Northern & Central Sierra

Northeast side of the Tahoe mountains including Tahoe Meadows, Galena Creek and Mt. Rose. This area offers several trails with rolling terrain, wide-open spaces and great views—an excellent place for beginners, according to White.
Carson Pass off Highway 88. Here, the terrain features open spaces, high elevation and excellent views. Numerous landmarks make it easier to find your way in and out.
Echo Summit on the southeast side. Access is easy because there's a state Snowpark with ample parking. Snowshoe hikes lead adventurers into the southern edge of Desolation Wilderness. "Visitors will see some pretty dramatic mountainous terrain and great views."
Castle Peak off of Highway 80 near Donner Summit. A state Snowpark provides access to the north slope of the Sierra. The forested trail is notched by small meadows.
Anywhere in Yosemite including Mariposa Grove, Mirror Lake and Tuolumne Meadows. Visitors are few compared to summer and scenery is pristine. Stay in or near the park overnight to access its many trails.

Eastern & Southern Sierra

Lodgepole campground in Sequoia National Park, which features large Sequoia groves and marked trails.
Marmot Loop Trail near Shaver Lake. The easy trail is recommended for beginners and families.
Pickel Meadows near Bridgeport. This areas is mostly level, a good choice for beginning snowshoe hikers.
Rock Creek near Mono Lake. The beautiful valley is located in the John Muir Wilderness and gives snowshoe enthusiasts a taste of "high" country with some trails as high as 10,000 feet.

Before you go

Proper equipment. Make sure you have water resistant footwear, wool hiking socks, a shell that repels wind, a good hat and water resistant gloves.
Ability to navigate. A GPS device is not enough since inclement weather can render it useless. Old-fashioned maps and a compass are a must.
Attend a snowshoe class at a local hiking store or community college, especially if you have never hiked during winter. The course will help you understand basic skills and make your adventure more enjoyable.
Bring food and fluids. Snowshoeing can be a strenuous activity that burns calories and causes dehydration.
Gators to protect your legs from getting wet and cold.
A good pair of snowshoes that can withstand the stress of long hikes without breaking or coming apart.
A backpack for carrying the "Ten Essentials" (map, compass, sunglasses and sunscreen, food and water, extra clothes, flashlight, first aid kit, fire starter, matches, knife).

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