OverviewEnglish Mountain is a prominent Northern Sierra peak between CA Highway 49 and Interstate 80. It is included on the Sierra Peaks Section List, and thusly on other peak lists of Northern California. It is a troublesome drive to get there, with rough roads from the west, and a roundabout approach, for most, from the east. It presents no great difficulty except for navigation. There is no easy trail to the top, and seems less climbed (compared to other local peaks). The summit rocks are class 2, with mostly class 1 terrain to get close to the top. The view is fair to good for this Northern Sierra peak, but there is not much to make this mountain unique from other adjacent summits.
Its lower elevation makes it good for more off-season ascents. A hot day in summer may make a midday climb miserable.Getting ThereEssentially there are three basic choices for roadheads. Exact directions for two routes are given in the Northern Sierra Peaks Guide at the PETE'S THOUSAND PEAKS website.
Or then, you can drive to and start at 1) French Creek (elev. 6,480') 2) Faucherie Lake (elev. 6,300'), or 3) Jackson Lake (elev. 6,598'). These will all give about 2,000 feet of elevation gain. The ascents will all be pretty much direct, with no big drops in between. All include completely cross-country travel. The peak is forested, with some brush. It is more open on the west slopes. Nice, small lakes adorn the flanks of the peak. Logging has occurred on the lower, east side.
One map shows a new 4WD road climbing to 7,300 feet, directly to the west, but I have no information on this approach.
Please use an updated Tahoe National Forest map to determine the road routes to the peak and roadheads. High clearance or even 4WD vehicles are recommended, although you can get close, with careful driving, using a regular passenger car.
A hike from the primitive parking at Faucherie Lake requires a big stream jump, or wading, to get to the west slopes, during high water.
Driving from the west (using Highway 20 and the Bowman Lake Road) takes a lot of time, and although I have gone this way, the road is very rough. Please visit the Tahoe National Forest website for road conditions.Red TapeNo wilderness, here, so only campfire permits are needed, if you wish to build a campfire. This is Tahoe National Forest land, with some private property.CampingLots of camping ops nearby, primitive and official, and a Tahoe NF map shows the designated ops. No huts.External LinksPETE'S THOUSAND PEAKS
Click Latest Peaks Adventures for a recent climb account. Images
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