Day 10: Goodbye Pacific Crest Trail

June 30, 2018July 2, 2018Leave a comment

Tamarack Lake to Round Lake

Mileage: 18.9 miles, total 139.3 miles

Campsite elevation: 8,100 feet

It was good to see the dawn slowly breaking as it got light around our campsite. I was the first person awake at around 5.30 AM and took the opportunity to admire the view down towards the lakes.

After breakfast, we left before much of the campground was stirring. There was a short 0.3 mile hike back to rejoin the TRT which then led down towards Echo Lake. The terrain underfoot was very rocky and this made progress slow.

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Day 9: Lake Aloha

June 29, 2018July 2, 2018Leave a comment

Middle Velma Lake to Tamarack Lake

Mileage 13.8 miles, total 126.6 miles

Campsite elevation: 7,875 feet

Today was a great day in all respects and had some of the best scenery I’ve come across whilst hiking.

We got going by 7.30 from our campsite at Middle Velma Lake and began our climb up to Dick’s Pass. The climb was fairly uneventful and not too steep, with switchbacks where necessary to make the gradient easier.

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Day 8: Into Desolation Wilderness

June 28, 2018July 2, 2018Leave a comment

S of Barker Pass to Middle Velma Lake

Mileage: 17.1 miles, total 112.8

Campsite elevation: 7,901 feet

When we woke up this morning, our Dutch friend was long gone but Bill was still sleeping as we made breakfast. There were some stirrings as we got back on the trail so we bid him farewell.

From the campsite, we climbed up another 500 ft or so to the top of a ridge. There were plenty of snow patches on the way which we had to climb over or around. At the top, we were treated to a nice view of McKinney Bay in Lake Tahoe.

It was then a 4.5 mile descent past Barker Pass trailhead which was basically the last time I had any phone reception.

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Day 7: Twin Peaks

June 27, 2018July 2, 2018Leave a comment

Tahoe City to S of Barker Pass

Mileage: 14.3 miles, total 95.7 miles

Campsite elevation: 8,078 ft

We started the day with breakfast at Rosie’s in town. Tahoe City doesn’t seem to wake up until late so it was pretty dead when we walked in. It was an interesting place with moose heads on the wall.

After breakfast, we watched some junk American TV shows and then headed to Alpenglow, a local outdoors store. We asked about snow conditions on Dick’s Pass and whether an ice axe would be required. They were great and said they hadn’t heard of a single person going through in the last three weeks who had required an ice axe.

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A zero in Tahoe City

June 25, 2018July 2, 2018Leave a comment

Tahoe City

Mileage: zero

Elevation: 6,255 feet

I slept well last night in a real bed at the Pepper Tree Inn so it was hard getting out of bed in the morning. However, there was a few things to get organised.

After breakfast, we headed down to the local Tahoe City post office to take care of a couple of things. We decided to lighten our load a bit by sending on gear we are not using and will not need in the warm conditions we are getting on the trail.

Whilst we are keeping our microspikes for the upcoming snow sections, we are removing a few items such as a second insulation layer. These have been mailed on to our next destination, Lone Pine, a four hour drive south where we will head after we finish the Tahoe Rim Trail.

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Day 6: Reaching halfway

June 25, 2018June 25, 2018Leave a comment

Watson Lake to Tahoe City

Mileage: 13.5 miles, total 81.4 miles

Elevation: 6,255 ft

I was the first person awake at the campsite this morning so made breakfast as quietly as possible. I might have made a little more noise when passing the bongo guy’s tent but that is only a rumour. This was our last day on the trail before reaching our halfway point at Tahoe City where we will take a day off.

There were only four small climbs during the day followed by a downhill all the way to Tahoe City. I’ve been feeling a bit sleep deprived the last few days with it being so late when it finally gets dark and so early when it gets light. So I was feeling in need of a sleep in this morning rather than the 5.30 AM alarm call.

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Day 5: Downhill (mostly) to Watson Lake

June 23, 2018June 24, 2018Leave a comment

Gray Lake to Watson Lake

Mileage: 16.4 miles (+0.8 mile side trail), total 69.2 miles

Campsite elevation: 7,762 feet

Last night was fairly uneventful and although it was prime bear territory we didn’t have any nocturnal visitors. The campsite was fairly noisy though and being so close to water there was an cacophony of frogs carrying on until close to midnight.

We headed back up the side trail which was a detour of nearly a mile to rejoin the TRT. Campsite choices here are dictated by water sources. Today we have a stretch of 17.5 miles when you include the side trail to our next water source and campsite at Watson Lake.

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Day 4: Over Relay Peak

June 22, 2018June 23, 2018Leave a comment

Mt Rose Campground to Gray Lake

Mileage: 9.6 miles (+0.8 mile side trail), total 52.8 miles

Campsite elevation: 9,050 ft

We started the day by heading down to Incline Village to do our resupply. Before that, however, it was time to grab breakfast at the Wildflower Cafe. Nice food, although the place was freezing and they forgot Ben’s breakfast. But still expected a 20% tip of course!

Resupply done, we checked out of our motel and it was time to head up to Mt Rose trailhead.

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Day 3: Expect the unexpected

June 22, 2018June 22, 2018Leave a comment

Marlette Campground (27.0) to Mt Rose Campground (40.9)

Mileage: 13.9 miles, total 40.9 miles

I had a good night’s sleep last night. It is the longest day of the year and in Tahoe the sun sets at 8.30pm and it is light again by 5.30am which makes sleeping difficult at times. We packed up camp and once we had filled up on water, we headed onto the trail.

There was an initial climb up from the campsite and, in contrast to the previous stretch, we passed a water source almost immediately after leaving the campsite. It was great not to have to ration our water today or do a big water carry.

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Day 2: A dry stretch

June 20, 2018June 26, 2018Leave a comment

Sierra Canyon Trailhead (11) to Marlette Campground (27)

Mileage: 16 miles, total 27 miles

Camp Elevation: 8,283 feet

I slept pretty well last night apart from being camped on a slope and occasionally waking up with my face pressed against the tent well.

The day started with a short climb which eventually broke out of tree line and onto a ridge. The views along the ridgeline were absolutely amazing and made the hard work yesterday worth it.