Dunderberg Peak 12,374′

Dunderberg Peak 12,379′

Location: Near Bridgeport, CA – East Side of the Sierras

Elevation Change: 2700’ south side, 4400’ North Side Green Creek car shuttle
Recommended Map: Tom Harrison Maps – Hoover Wilderness

Dunderberg Peak 12,374’ – Dunderberg Peak is a popular and easy Eastern Sierra Peak to ski that doesn’t require a huge drive from home in Tahoe. Drive up to Conway Summit on hwy 395 south of Bridgeport, CA, and then 6 miles up to the Virginia Lakes Trailhead. You’ll want the road to be plowed and gate opened obviously. Or ride a snowmobile if you have one of those things. When the road gets plowed in spring there will still be plenty of snow to skin from the car to ski Dunderberg Peak, South Peak, Black Mountain, and Excelsior Mountain. Climbing Dunderberg requires ski crampons or boot crampons due to the exposure to wind, steepness, and high elevation. A ski descent of the south side will likely be soft however by the time you get to the top if there is no wind due to it’s mostly SE facing terrain. The top 500′ of turns are more east facing and likely to be firm. You can retrace your steps back to the boot track and hug the rocks for some softer snow. 

There is a steep Couloir or two on the SW side of the peak if you look for them, and also a longer north side to ski with a car left at the Green Creek Campground. Getting into the campground involves about 10 miles of dirt road travel from hwy 395. This road is graded dirt and melts out in late April or early May, so you’ll have to investigate before counting on this option. Dropping off the north side of the West Summit provides a 4400’ descent split into two separate aesthetic 35 degree couloirs. This car shuttle tour is a long day due to bare rocky climb to the actual summit hidden from your view, followed by a march across a hidden plateau in between the two couloirs. It’s a big day for a perceived “car shuttle”. 

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