This blog tells the story of my Tahoe Rim Trail hike in the summer of 2009. It is in two main sections, one is the actual description of the hike, with accompanying photos. The other part is what I call "everything I know about hiking the TRT".
I don't claim to be an expert at hiking, the TRT, or anything else (ok, I do know a hell-of-a-lot about drip irrigation system setup, but that's a different story!), so don't rely on my information for anything more than just another way to get some additional information or trail descriptions. Some of my pictures turned out pretty well, though. By sharing my experiences from the trail, it just might help you get inspired to get out and hike!
I've set up two ways to follow the blog.
The easiest is to go to the "Pages" section, then click on "Dave's hike- Tahoe Rim Trail - in order by date". That takes you to an outline, by date, of the entire trip. Each subject has a link, so everything is in the right order.
The other way to follow it, is by the traditional "blog archive" way, but it isn't as easy to follow the trip in order.The actual hike descriptions are listed by date, and so you can start at the bottom, for the start of the trip, July 31, 2009, and end on Sept 6, 2009.
Enjoy, and get out and hike!
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
TRT- Everything I know about hiking the TRT
The following is a general listing of everything I know about hiking the TRT. ok, maybe it isn't really everything I know, but it is a bunch of Tips and Tricks that I've heard or used during my trip.
Ultralight vs Comfort - To paraphrase the guys from REI, it is a personal choice about whether to go more ultralight, or to go for more comfort, and end up carrying the associated increased weight. I'm a "comfort at night" kind of hiker, so my pack isn't light. I'm willing to sacrifice speed for better sleep and separation from bugs, so I do carry a tent, not a bivy or a tarp. The most important thing is to make sure everyone you are hiking with has the same goals, as far as mileage per day, and hours hiked per day. And that is directly related to the weight of everyone's pack.
Hiking Poles - Buy them and use them, really. I know, it takes a few hikes to get over the "I'm a European geeky old guy" feeling, but in the end, your body will thank you for it. On uphills, they help with balance, and when it's really steep, the little weight that your arms are now supporting starts adding up to an easier climb. On level ground, they don't help me at all, unless you happen to run across either aggressive dogs, or curious snakes. On downhill stretches, hiking poles are worth their weight in gold. They not only help with balance, but they really help with the beating the knees take. They help the most on very step slopes, especially on any step-like sections. I've learned that when hiking, about once every two hours, on average, I either have one of those "I just about rolled my ankle" or I have a "slip on sand that's on the buried smooth rock" or even just a " kick the exposed root" thing. Poles REALLY help in those situations, especially with a heavy pack.
I wrap several feet of duct tape around my poles; it works as an easy storage area, and duct tape can fix a lot of things out there. I also wrapped a few feet of bright orange flagging on one pole, so I can untape it and have a way to more easily be seen, or signal someone (my wife calls me Mr Safety).
Water/ Hydration - I don't like running out of water, so I tend to carry more than I think I'll need. I'd rather carry a bit more weight, and hike relaxed, than go too light, and worry about the next water source. I like using a 100 oz Camelback for water, plus one 16 oz water bottle with a mixed drink, like Tang, Gatorade, or anything else in powdered form. I carry an empty 2 liter Platypus, in case it will be a long time between water spots. Besides, if one gets a hole, I have the backup to use.
I use a Katadyn Hiker PRO water filter, which isn't the lightest model (about 14 oz), but I have confidence it it.
Shoes/ Foot Care - ok, I really suck at figuring out blister, and foot pain management. For me, I feel better by wearing basic breathable hiking shoes, and I try to change socks half way through the day. If during training hikes, I can get blisters, then let them heal, my feet feel better on the later hikes.
The Tahoe Rim Trail Association - These people are awesome! Not only did they spearhead the organization and construction of the trail, then weren't just organizers, they actually get out there, get dirty, and make the trails. Their website, http://www.tahoerimtrail.org/ , is a wealth of information, and includes everything from trail conditions and planning your trip, to a discussion Forum, plus information on how to donate your time actually helping upgrade parts of the trail. They also have a very informative Spring lecture series that'll fire you up for your trip! They are also the ones who keep track of the "165 Mile Club", eligible to all hikers who have finished the entire trail. Go ahead and bookmark their website; once you see it, you'll be going back pretty often.
Books and Maps - Without a doubt, the most important resource is a book called The Tahoe Rim Trail A Complete Guide for Hikers, Mountain Bikers, and Equestrians by Tim Hauserman. Endorsed by the Tahoe Rim Trail Association. Wilderness Press. If you get it on Amazon, be sure that you're getting the most current edition (but I'd reccommend to buy locally, go Sundance Books!). The TRTA website lists several maps for sale, but I used the "Tom Harrison Topographical Recreation Map" for the general map, and also the "Tahoe Rim Trail Elevation Profile Map", which is a great resource that lists not only the elevation profile, but also the possible water sources along the way. These three sources were great to have, and each night in my tent, I'd go over what to expect for the next day, and plan my water load accordingly. I never used a GPS or a compass, but the one time we did get a bit lost, we used the map to judge the terrain, and figured out that we needed to go downhill to get back to the trail, so the map really helped.
Food - I don't like the cleanup of real cooking while hiking, so I use Mountain House freeze-dried dinners. The Pro Pack is a single serving and vacuum sealed, so it is very compact, plus it is the right amount of food for me. These meals are over-salted,which you'll appreciate after a long hot day of hiking. The Pro Packs fit in the Bear canister easier than the other styles.
I use the BearVault BV500 for carrying and storing my food, plus anything that smells, such as toothpaste. It fits about 5 days worth of food, keeps bears out of your food, plus you don't worry about squirrels and other critters. It also makes a great camp stool, which I'd heard about, but unless you've used one, you don't believe how nice it is to have a flat seat each night during dinner. Ah, life's little luxuries...
Remember, on the first day, your lunch and dinner don't need to fit into to canister, so that buys you some extra room.
Everyone's taste is different, but I usually only break out the stove for dinner. I stay with cereal bars, granola bars, and Pop Tarts for breakfast. Sometimes I'll have oatmeal, but just for the change. I find that if I don't use the stove, I can get my camp packed up quicker, and get on the trail sooner. For lunch, if there is room, I like bagels, and it space is tight, then tortillas. Peanut butter and honey (I know, it's cliche) mixed in one of those toothpaste tube things, is good for some energy, just be sure to keep the tube in a Zip Lock bag, too. I pack a small stick of salami, and for variety, the foil packages of chicken or tuna, but be sure to also add a small packet of mayo. They are heavy, but a nice luxury item!
Energy bars a good for filling out lunch, or for snacks while walking. I use a variety of brands including Pro Bar, Powerbar, Balance, and others, since no matter how much you like a certain brand and flavor, they all don't taste as exciting after a few of them. The bars usually have a great "calories to ounce" ratio, so you get a lot of calories for their weight to carry. I also eat some dried fruit snacks, the kiddie-snacks from Welch's or Kellog's, that are great while hiking, and have a variety of flavors. Welch's also has real dried fruit, which always feels healthier.
Zip lock gags are my weakness; I use gallon and sandwich sizes for food, and for general organizing of other supplies.
I have learned that while hiking, at least for me, it is critical that I have snacks, in addition to the obvious water, in order to feel good throughout the day.
Clothes - I didn't carry "spare" of anything, except socks and underwear, which I had two pairs of each. I wore shorts that zipped into long pants, a Colombia Titanium white shirt (very breathable and quick drying), and a hat with a wide brim. If I'd worn a baseball hat, I would have regretted it on those sunny days. You just don't get the coverage on the sides of your face that you need. Other items included: a lightweight fleece jacket, a lightweight windbreaker/rain jacket and pants, a warm microfiber hat, a longsleeve lightweight breathable SPF white shirt (for sun and bug protection), a bandana (for neck-shade and as a washcloth), and a very lightweight pair of sandals for around camp, to let the feet breath and relax. Sunglasses are also essential.
Remember "cotton kills" when wet, so avoid it.
You are at high altitudes, so WEAR SUNSCREEN, and wear a big hat.
Stove - I didn't "cook" anything, I just boiled water. This saved me not only on cleanup, but also on how much I needed to carry. One very small pot to boil water, and there weren't any cleaning supplies needed, except a drop of soap to clean my spork. For a stove, I have an old version of the MRS Pocket Rocket, which weighs only 7 oz, plus a fuel canister. My hiking partners all used the Jetboil system, and although it weighs more than mine, it boils water quicker, so it can save you fuel weight. I didn't have any problems at all with wind, but I hear that the Jetboils generally work better in windy conditions.
Cell Phones - There is decent cell coverage from AT&T on almost of the trail. I had a pretty clear signal on the entire trail, except for Echo Lakes to near Ward Creek, which didn't have any signal for me, but I did get a weak signal near Barker Pass. There are other areas with weak signals, but even there, I was almost always able to send email and text. For voice, I just waited until I was in a clear spot with decent visibility towards civilization, and I would have strong signals. I had my Blackberry turned off the whole trip, except when I wanted to call home or post trip updates and photos to Facebook (technology can be fun, too, it's not always evil). I think that it was worth the weight, but it's a judgement decision on that one. I don't know about other cell carriers, but I'd assume that they are pretty blank through Desolation, too.
First Aid Kit - Take one! You or your hiking buddies will probably need something out of it, most likely for blisters, but you also might run across a hurt mountain bike rider, like I did.
Ultralight vs Comfort - To paraphrase the guys from REI, it is a personal choice about whether to go more ultralight, or to go for more comfort, and end up carrying the associated increased weight. I'm a "comfort at night" kind of hiker, so my pack isn't light. I'm willing to sacrifice speed for better sleep and separation from bugs, so I do carry a tent, not a bivy or a tarp. The most important thing is to make sure everyone you are hiking with has the same goals, as far as mileage per day, and hours hiked per day. And that is directly related to the weight of everyone's pack.
Hiking Poles - Buy them and use them, really. I know, it takes a few hikes to get over the "I'm a European geeky old guy" feeling, but in the end, your body will thank you for it. On uphills, they help with balance, and when it's really steep, the little weight that your arms are now supporting starts adding up to an easier climb. On level ground, they don't help me at all, unless you happen to run across either aggressive dogs, or curious snakes. On downhill stretches, hiking poles are worth their weight in gold. They not only help with balance, but they really help with the beating the knees take. They help the most on very step slopes, especially on any step-like sections. I've learned that when hiking, about once every two hours, on average, I either have one of those "I just about rolled my ankle" or I have a "slip on sand that's on the buried smooth rock" or even just a " kick the exposed root" thing. Poles REALLY help in those situations, especially with a heavy pack.
I wrap several feet of duct tape around my poles; it works as an easy storage area, and duct tape can fix a lot of things out there. I also wrapped a few feet of bright orange flagging on one pole, so I can untape it and have a way to more easily be seen, or signal someone (my wife calls me Mr Safety).
Water/ Hydration - I don't like running out of water, so I tend to carry more than I think I'll need. I'd rather carry a bit more weight, and hike relaxed, than go too light, and worry about the next water source. I like using a 100 oz Camelback for water, plus one 16 oz water bottle with a mixed drink, like Tang, Gatorade, or anything else in powdered form. I carry an empty 2 liter Platypus, in case it will be a long time between water spots. Besides, if one gets a hole, I have the backup to use.
I use a Katadyn Hiker PRO water filter, which isn't the lightest model (about 14 oz), but I have confidence it it.
Shoes/ Foot Care - ok, I really suck at figuring out blister, and foot pain management. For me, I feel better by wearing basic breathable hiking shoes, and I try to change socks half way through the day. If during training hikes, I can get blisters, then let them heal, my feet feel better on the later hikes.
The Tahoe Rim Trail Association - These people are awesome! Not only did they spearhead the organization and construction of the trail, then weren't just organizers, they actually get out there, get dirty, and make the trails. Their website, http://www.tahoerimtrail.org/ , is a wealth of information, and includes everything from trail conditions and planning your trip, to a discussion Forum, plus information on how to donate your time actually helping upgrade parts of the trail. They also have a very informative Spring lecture series that'll fire you up for your trip! They are also the ones who keep track of the "165 Mile Club", eligible to all hikers who have finished the entire trail. Go ahead and bookmark their website; once you see it, you'll be going back pretty often.
Books and Maps - Without a doubt, the most important resource is a book called The Tahoe Rim Trail A Complete Guide for Hikers, Mountain Bikers, and Equestrians by Tim Hauserman. Endorsed by the Tahoe Rim Trail Association. Wilderness Press. If you get it on Amazon, be sure that you're getting the most current edition (but I'd reccommend to buy locally, go Sundance Books!). The TRTA website lists several maps for sale, but I used the "Tom Harrison Topographical Recreation Map" for the general map, and also the "Tahoe Rim Trail Elevation Profile Map", which is a great resource that lists not only the elevation profile, but also the possible water sources along the way. These three sources were great to have, and each night in my tent, I'd go over what to expect for the next day, and plan my water load accordingly. I never used a GPS or a compass, but the one time we did get a bit lost, we used the map to judge the terrain, and figured out that we needed to go downhill to get back to the trail, so the map really helped.
Food - I don't like the cleanup of real cooking while hiking, so I use Mountain House freeze-dried dinners. The Pro Pack is a single serving and vacuum sealed, so it is very compact, plus it is the right amount of food for me. These meals are over-salted,which you'll appreciate after a long hot day of hiking. The Pro Packs fit in the Bear canister easier than the other styles.
I use the BearVault BV500 for carrying and storing my food, plus anything that smells, such as toothpaste. It fits about 5 days worth of food, keeps bears out of your food, plus you don't worry about squirrels and other critters. It also makes a great camp stool, which I'd heard about, but unless you've used one, you don't believe how nice it is to have a flat seat each night during dinner. Ah, life's little luxuries...
Remember, on the first day, your lunch and dinner don't need to fit into to canister, so that buys you some extra room.
Everyone's taste is different, but I usually only break out the stove for dinner. I stay with cereal bars, granola bars, and Pop Tarts for breakfast. Sometimes I'll have oatmeal, but just for the change. I find that if I don't use the stove, I can get my camp packed up quicker, and get on the trail sooner. For lunch, if there is room, I like bagels, and it space is tight, then tortillas. Peanut butter and honey (I know, it's cliche) mixed in one of those toothpaste tube things, is good for some energy, just be sure to keep the tube in a Zip Lock bag, too. I pack a small stick of salami, and for variety, the foil packages of chicken or tuna, but be sure to also add a small packet of mayo. They are heavy, but a nice luxury item!
Energy bars a good for filling out lunch, or for snacks while walking. I use a variety of brands including Pro Bar, Powerbar, Balance, and others, since no matter how much you like a certain brand and flavor, they all don't taste as exciting after a few of them. The bars usually have a great "calories to ounce" ratio, so you get a lot of calories for their weight to carry. I also eat some dried fruit snacks, the kiddie-snacks from Welch's or Kellog's, that are great while hiking, and have a variety of flavors. Welch's also has real dried fruit, which always feels healthier.
Zip lock gags are my weakness; I use gallon and sandwich sizes for food, and for general organizing of other supplies.
I have learned that while hiking, at least for me, it is critical that I have snacks, in addition to the obvious water, in order to feel good throughout the day.
Clothes - I didn't carry "spare" of anything, except socks and underwear, which I had two pairs of each. I wore shorts that zipped into long pants, a Colombia Titanium white shirt (very breathable and quick drying), and a hat with a wide brim. If I'd worn a baseball hat, I would have regretted it on those sunny days. You just don't get the coverage on the sides of your face that you need. Other items included: a lightweight fleece jacket, a lightweight windbreaker/rain jacket and pants, a warm microfiber hat, a longsleeve lightweight breathable SPF white shirt (for sun and bug protection), a bandana (for neck-shade and as a washcloth), and a very lightweight pair of sandals for around camp, to let the feet breath and relax. Sunglasses are also essential.
Remember "cotton kills" when wet, so avoid it.
You are at high altitudes, so WEAR SUNSCREEN, and wear a big hat.
Stove - I didn't "cook" anything, I just boiled water. This saved me not only on cleanup, but also on how much I needed to carry. One very small pot to boil water, and there weren't any cleaning supplies needed, except a drop of soap to clean my spork. For a stove, I have an old version of the MRS Pocket Rocket, which weighs only 7 oz, plus a fuel canister. My hiking partners all used the Jetboil system, and although it weighs more than mine, it boils water quicker, so it can save you fuel weight. I didn't have any problems at all with wind, but I hear that the Jetboils generally work better in windy conditions.
Cell Phones - There is decent cell coverage from AT&T on almost of the trail. I had a pretty clear signal on the entire trail, except for Echo Lakes to near Ward Creek, which didn't have any signal for me, but I did get a weak signal near Barker Pass. There are other areas with weak signals, but even there, I was almost always able to send email and text. For voice, I just waited until I was in a clear spot with decent visibility towards civilization, and I would have strong signals. I had my Blackberry turned off the whole trip, except when I wanted to call home or post trip updates and photos to Facebook (technology can be fun, too, it's not always evil). I think that it was worth the weight, but it's a judgement decision on that one. I don't know about other cell carriers, but I'd assume that they are pretty blank through Desolation, too.
First Aid Kit - Take one! You or your hiking buddies will probably need something out of it, most likely for blisters, but you also might run across a hurt mountain bike rider, like I did.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Tahoe Rim Trail - Sept. 6, 2009
Day 12 - The Last Day! Lake Le Conte to Echo Lakes
And this is where my Tahoe RIm Trail trip comes to an end. After my mid-hike change in strategy (thanks, stupid feet), from a "through-hike" to a "segment-hike", it's come down to one final day of hiking to complete my adventure, and it's only 7 downhill miles to get there!
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| Early morning at Aloha Lake, my last day! |
Since we started our day early, as usual, we were most of the way down before we hit too many crowds. It wasn't Yosemite-Valley-busy, but it was a lot of people. I think we smelled a lot worse than they did, though!
After seeing overall very few other people while hiking the whole TRT, it is a strange feeling to suddenly see so many other hikers. A thing to think about when planning a trip; if you hike to or from a trailhead, on a weekend, especially on the last day that say, for example, Echo Lakes store is open, you should expect pretty large crowds. On one hand, it was sort of annoying to have to keep pulling over on narrow parts to let people pass by going the other direction, but on the other hand, it is just incredible seeing so many people out there enjoying the Desolation Wilderness area. Almost all of them were day-hikers, so the heavy traffic isn't as impactful as it could be.
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| Me in front of my goal, Echo Lakes |
By mid morning, we were within sight of the goal, and since we now had cell phone reception, called so we'd have a ride home in a couple of hours.
And now, a well deserved beverage, maybe two, since we had a built in designated driver! The Echo Lakes store, although it's only open during the peak Summer months, is suprisingly well stocked, with a very friendly staff. One thing you can't get there, though, is a faucet to fill your water bottles. We didn't need to, since we ended here, but other hikers need to either buy bottle of water, or just hike a bit farther around the lake to then filter like usual.
And here my Tahoe Rim Trail adventure ends, after hiking over 165 miles, spread out over 12 hiking days, and completed in just over a month's time. If you ever get the chance to hike the trail, either just a segment of it, or the entire Tahoe Rim Trail, please jump at the chance. There are so many varied sections, each with it's own challenges and rewards. Although there are a lot of miles to hike to finish the trail, you don't need to be an ultra-light hiker to hike the trail. And remember, only about 1,000 people have become members of the "165 Mile Club", through the Tahoe Rim Association, which is actually less people than have climbed Mt Everest.
Would I make another attempt at completing a "through-hike", after completing the trail as a "segment-hike"? Absolutely, in a heatbeat, I just need to get that much time off of work!
See you on the trail!
Dave, a.k.a. "Tenderfoot" my trail-name.
Would I make another attempt at completing a "through-hike", after completing the trail as a "segment-hike"? Absolutely, in a heatbeat, I just need to get that much time off of work!
See you on the trail!
Dave, a.k.a. "Tenderfoot" my trail-name.
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| Trails usually get wider as you near the trailheads. |
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| Lower Echo Lake |
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| Echo Lakes Store, at the far end of the lake. |
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| Lower Echo Lake, looking back up towards Aloha Lake. |
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| South Lake Tahoe, plus Mt Rose at far left, from just above Echo Lake store. |
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| Me, at Echo Lake trailhead. Very tired, but VERY happy! |
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| Time for a well-earned beverage! |
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Tahoe Rim Trail - Sept. 5, 2009
Day 11
Instead of making the trip to Echo Lakes one long day, we though it'd be nicer to break it into two shorter days, so had a nice and easy day distance-wise, but still, going over Dicks Pass isn't a cakewalk. There are much steeper climbs on the TRT, but this does get the heart rate going a bit.
Walking along Dick's Lake, we ran into our first Ranger of the day. I'm guessing that they send more Rangers out on the weekends, due to the higher foot traffic. And yes, they do ask you about campfire permits and Wilderness permits. This one, and very nice and helpful woman in her late 20s, only asked about it, but the young guy we saw later in the day at Suzie Lake actually had us take them out so he could see them. The female Ranger was carrying a shovel, which looks kind of strange so far away from a trailhead. She said she used it mostly to bury fires left smoldering, although you can't even use anything other than a campstove in this area. Kinda reminded me of that crazy-looking old guy in the movie Home Alone, but a whole lot prettier.
Middle Velma Lake to Lake La Conte, about a 10 mile day. After today is done, there will be only 7 more miles until I reach the goal of hiking the entire 165 miles of the Tahoe Rim Trail!
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| Dick's Peak, Fontinillis Lake |
Instead of making the trip to Echo Lakes one long day, we though it'd be nicer to break it into two shorter days, so had a nice and easy day distance-wise, but still, going over Dicks Pass isn't a cakewalk. There are much steeper climbs on the TRT, but this does get the heart rate going a bit.
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| Dick's Lake, from Dick's Pass |
Since there were so many hikers on the main trail, we decided not to stay at Aloha Lake, and instead went 100 yards northeast of the main trail, and camped at the very well hidden Lake La Conte. You'll never find it unless you have a map, but it's worth the effort. There aren't many good sites to pitch a tent, and since the area we were in had such small flat areas, my tent had opposite corners up on sloping granite slabs. Meses with the stability of the tent, in case you've never slept that way! Dave's hiking tip # 72: if you pitch a tent without your rain fly, and it gets colder in the middle of the night than you like, instead of putting on the fly to add some insulation, just stay in your sleeping bag, and drape the rainfly over your bag. Works like a charm!
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| Dick's Lake, while we climb up to the Pass. |
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| Looking north towards Tahoe City, from Dick's Pass. |
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Me being happy. Aloha Lake, from Dick's Pass. |
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| Suzie Lake and Aloha Lake, from Dick's Pass |
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| Half Moon Lake |
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| Suzie Lake and Pyramid Peak |
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| I'm glad we were going down, not up, these steps! |
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| Heather Lake. Aloha Lake is over the next ridge. |
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| Aloha Lake and Mosquito Pass |
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| Reflections off Aloha Lake |
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| Lake Le Conte |
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| Wedged into tent sites at Lake Le Conte! |
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| Looking towards outlet of Aloha Lake |
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| Several wind-shapened trees at Aloha Lake |
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Aloha Lake |
Friday, September 4, 2009
Tahoe Rim Trail - Sept. 4, 2009
Day 10
Blackwood creek to Middle Velma Lake - another 15 mile day.
"My feet are too old for this abuse". And this time it wasn't me saying that, it was Tony. When I told him that "I know how you feel", I wasn't just saying it! By the time we hit Richardson Lake at about lunchtime, his feet hurt enough that we decided to take on extra water, in case we felt like stopping before reaching the Velma Lakes. Then, we lost track of the trail getting out of Richardson Lake, and took a parallel, but obviously the wrong trail, for a while. Nothing too bad, but a little bushwacking, and some good educated guesses, and we were back where we were supposed to be.
All the creeks on this section had dried up a long time ago, not even puddles left. But hey, at least there weren't any mosquitos!
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| Richardson Lake (not on the correct trail, though!) |
This section has lots of stretches where you are in forest, with less views than many other sections. It makes for easy hiking, due to the shade, and the relatively easy terrain. There are some great views though, from ridges that look out over the Western part of Desolation Wilderness. It was strange to not see Lake Tahoe for such a long stretch on this side of the hike.
Started to run into several Pacific Crest Trail hikers. Almost all were hiking solo, and many were doing segments from Yosemite, up to Sierra City, or on to the Lassen area. I hope we don't look as tired as they look!
We pushed through, ok, Tony had more on his mind than I did, but we made it to Middle Velma Lake. Very strange to have other campers within earshot of us, after seeing so few people the last two days.
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| Lost, looking for the TRT, but not worried. |
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| Back on the trail. Wasted less than 30 minutes, though. |
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| Looking South, from northern end of Desolation Wilderness |
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| Middle Velma Lake |
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| Camp, at Middle Velma Lake |
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| Sunset at Middle Velma Lake |
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Tahoe Rim Trail - Sept. 3, 2009
Day 9 - the Last Segment of the TRT
Only 48 miles, from Tahoe City to Echo Lakes, to reach my goal of hiking all 165 miles of the Tahoe Rim Trail! Today's goal is the North fork of Blackwood canyon creek. This is the second time I've started from Tahoe City; the first time I hiked north, towards Brockway summit, this time we head south, through Page Meadows and Ward Creek. From Ward Creek, there is a long gradual climb to to Twin Peaks, and the edge of the Granite Chief Wilderness, where the TRT trail joins the Pacific Crest Trail. From here on down to Echo Lakes the two trails are the same path (they are actually the same path even farther south, but I'll be stopping at Echo Lakes!).
I'm still not sure why, but we missed the campsite where we planned on stopping, and ended up having to go another mile or two until we found a creek, probably the middle fork of Blackwood canyon creek. Sure made for a long day, and once again, not as much water on the trail as we'd like.Saw our first horse on the trail, near Twin Peaks, but didn't see a single person on the PCT part of the trail, about 5 miles worth.
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| Looking at the south slopes of Alpine Meadows ski resort. |
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| Joining the PCT |
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| Granite Chief Wilderness |
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| Looking east across Lake Tahoe to (possibly) Snow Valley Peak. |
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| Home sweet home, near Blackwood Canyon |
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Tahoe Rim Trail - Aug. 29, 2009
Day 8 - Echo Lakes to Big Meadow
This section is my only "day hike" on my journey, and it's 17.5 mile hike from the Echo Lake lodge, south along the Pacific Crest Trail to the very southern tip of the TRT, then northeast to Big Meadow.
As opposed to all previous trails, this section has plenty of water, finally! Tony, my new hiking partner, and I headed out from Echo Lakes store, early, and the first section, until you cross Highway 50, is pretty basic quasi-urban hiking. Lots of cabins and a few roads. Not quite the Wilderness experience, but really not too bad, either.
Once we crossed the highway, we started seeing a lot more hikers. Saturdays, right off the main highways, can get very busy.
What I really like about this section is the variety of terrain in such a short distance; from exposed granite, to open meadows, to fairly thick forests, with several lakes and streams. There is a great lunch spot just off the trail, on a large granite outcrop next to Showers Lake, where you can look all the way across Lake Tahoe and see Mt Rose, where this adventure first started.
Since this section has so many water sources, we hiked with a light water load, and filtered more when we got to Showers Lake.
At the southernmost point on the TRT, you have the junction of the TRT and the Pacific Crest Trail. That point is a long way from Lake Tahoe, and is only 3 miles north of Carson Pass!
Since this section has so many water sources, we hiked with a light water load, and filtered more when we got to Showers Lake.
At the southernmost point on the TRT, you have the junction of the TRT and the Pacific Crest Trail. That point is a long way from Lake Tahoe, and is only 3 miles north of Carson Pass!
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| Near Bryan Meadow |
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| Below Little Round Top |
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| Looking north, all the way to Mt Rose |
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| Face in the mountain (at least I see it, if noboby else does), above Showers Lake |
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| The Lunch spot with a view, next to Showers Lake |
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| Showers Lake. |
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| At the junction of the TRT with the PCT. Southernmost point on TRT. |
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| Looking south across Round Lake. |
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