Jobs Canyon

Overview

For the adventurous and those looking to ski great lines, a jaunt up to one of Tahoe's most prominent peaks from the Eastside valley floor will not disappoint!

Getting There

While this certainly can be done in spring time conditions (snow line at 8,500ish) it is recommended that the route be done when there is snow covering the Carson Valley floor to reduce bushwack suffering.

Entering Jobs Canyon is no gimme. Be prepared to blaze up desert trails, wander through deer-laden forest, walk through half-completed, ritzy neighborhoods, bushwack through horrid Manzanita, fight your way through awkward avalanche debris and ski beautiful corn/pow lines.

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The start is somewhat obscure and depending on your negotiating skills, may be shorter or it may be longer.
What you are aiming to find is the Jobs Peak Ranch gated community entrance (http://www.jpranch.com/). There is a trailhead here (marked with a sign) in which you may park your car and begin the trek on a dusty trail through the fine Nevada desert.



Continue up this trail (respect private property as much as you can) until it blends into a forested area. Descend log steps through a creek crossing and enter a nice neighborhood that is (as of 5.2011) in the process of being built. Walk through this neighborhood aiming for the prominent canyon ahead of you. A discontinued service road (large sign stating DO NOT ENTER) charges through the brush and straight to the canyon. Again, respect private property, but do what you gotta do. Eventually, this forest-overrun road terminates and you must begin bushwacking SW towards the canyon. Staying to either side of the drainage will help to ease the suffering and cursing.
Eventually you will enter the canyon and, depending on the snowline, your difficulties may subside. Skin up this avy-strewn section (icy in the morning) until it widens out underneath the shadow of Jobs Peak.

Route Description

From this point (elevation 8000), you have several options. You can aim for the saddle east of the summit and traverse over or you can take either ridge bordering the obvious couloir in front of you. I personally took the rocky ridge climber's left of the chute and found it to be enjoyable. Find the American flag on the summit and contemplate the easy and worthwhile traverse over to Jobs Sister and Freel Peak.


If you're ready for some action now, head north from the summit until snow and a sharp drop off appears. This is the way to a classic and difficult ski descent straight down the couloir. Stay skier's left for an easier version of "Jaws" or continue straight down for the full value. Crux is a rock step on the bottom half through a bottleneck. You will be able to assess this from the hike in.

Essential Gear

Skis. Trail shoes recommended. P-B-S

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Images

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