Dicks Peak
Dicks Peak is a mountain summit located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range in El Dorado County, California, United States. It is the third-highest peak in the Desolation Wilderness, and is set on land managed by Eldorado National Forest. It is situated south of Lake Tahoe, and approximately west of the community of South [Lake Tahoe, California|South Lake Tahoe]. Topographic relief is significant as the west aspect rises over above Rockbound Valley in approximately one mile. One-half mile east of the peak the Pacific Crest Trail and Tahoe Rim Trail traverse Dicks Pass, which provides an approach option for those climbing the peak. Inclusion on the Sierra Peaks Section peakbagging list generates climbing interest.
Etymology
This mountain's name remembers Captain Dick Barter, known as the "Hermit of Emerald [Bay State Park|Emerald Bay]". Fannette Island was Captain Dick's home from 1863 to 1873, and one night while rowing back to the island the retired sailor from England perished in a storm near Rubicon Point in 1873. This landform's toponym has been officially adopted by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.
Climate
According to the Köppen climate classification system, Dicks Peak is located in an alpine climate zone. Most weather fronts originate in the Pacific Ocean, and travel east toward the Sierra Nevada mountains. As fronts approach, they are forced upward by the peaks, causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall onto the range. Precipitation runoff from the mountain ultimately drains to Lake Tahoe.