Tushar Ridge

August 24, 2015

   Sweat.  Sweat and eye candy is one way to summarize this weeks hike in the heart of the Tushar Range.  Trail 176 runs up and down the spine of Tushar Ridge, beginning near Three Creeks Reservoir then climbing easterly through Eagle Point Ski Resort and ending at the 10,000 ft. elevation sign on highway 153's summit.  You'll get a serious aerobic workout doing this trail from west to east, gaining 1300' over a three and a half mile distance, where your 2nd vehicle could be waiting for you.  The downhill version of this route, from east to west, isn't for total free loaders though, because you begin and end with short climbs of 200' and 120' respectively.  This is a non motorized hiking trail, half of which is through private property, so please stay on the course and follow the rules!  A little pedal power for the up's really pays off for the 1300 feet of zippy downhill if you're a mountain biker.  One of the funnest things I do all summer is get a friend to ride this trail with me and we leave a vehicle at either end.   Hiking up the Tushar Ridge, you'll be doing good at speeds of one mile per hour, so allow 3-4 hours.  In striking contrast,  hiking time downhill maybe only 1.5 hours and biking time downhill as little as 20 minutes, allowing for laps which will leave you grinning from ear to ear.  Unless you get hurt of course!  Use Caution, Know Your Abilities, and Wear Protection!  

   You don't have to be an Olympian to enjoy this trail though, for beginners the first mile (beginning at the west trailhead off state hwy 153 mm 17, next to the stop sign where asphalt turns to dirt road) has a pleasant downhill grade to a bridge across North Fork of Three Creeks.  This bridge was salvaged from Manderfield Res. three years ago when the dam was rebuilt.   After crossing the stream, the trail climbs southerly to two separate meadows on the crest of Tushar Ridge which is a perfect spot for beginners to have lunch and turn around.   For intermediate hikers, take a left at the trail junction sign, heading east and climb to the spine of Tushar Ridge.   You only need hike 3\4 mile east from the meadow junction to get inspiring views to the North, West, and South.  Right on the ridge here there is a large solitary Ponderosa Pine standing in a thicket of manzanita whose been enjoying this eye candy for 300 years.   For the expert hikers,  you'll enter ski resort property at mile 2 where you'll just hug the treeline on the south side of Tushar Ridge, momentarily leveling off near ski runs called "Delano Drop", "Vertigo",and "Sharp's Cut".  Trail 176 dives back into the tree's just east of Sharp's Cut and meanders down to a saddle where you need energy for one last push to the high point on this trail, 10,181', just south of Eagle Point's "Lookout Warming Hut" which has out of this world views!  Please stay on the Forest Service Trail which parallels the "Puffer Pass" ski run, but is 30' below and to the east.  The Tushar Ridge trail is heading north when it ends at highway 153, close to the "Summit 10,000 ft" sign.  For those who do this trail downhill, (east to west) you need to pay attention to where the USFS trail 176 leaves Ski Resort Property to the south, right at the top of a ski run called "Runaway Carter".   Whether it's on foot, on horseback, or on a bicycle,  you've got to get out "Into the Heart of the Tushars!"