Tahoe Rim Trail Notes 6

The Tahoe Rim Trail is truly an epic adventure and I cannot describe the over-the-top experience I am having. Our segment this week was launched at the South shore, from Kingsbury to Big Meadows approximately 23.5 miles of wild beauty, sleeping granite boulders the size of small buildings, exquisite meadows, streams, abundant wild flowers and sweeping vistas of the Northern and Southern Sierra mountain ranges.

Words cannot describe the eco systems that we traversed or the impact that a day hiking through the wilds of these ancient forests can create in your heart, mind, body and spirit. All I can say is it’s all so fantastically beautiful.

Our lead guide was the ultra runner and athlete Doug Flahtery who had done this major segment the day before in 12 hours and some change with a group of botanicals. Our saddle time was just 10 hours but we did have an advantage since Doug caught his last wind and we just sailed up and down the strenuous trail like Western Tanagers. Our sweep was Jan and I can say she was just fabulous in keeping the pace so we could jet. And thank you Sandi Solomson our Chaser for this segment for hanging in there! It was a tough hike.

The mid way stop was beautiful Star Lake and what a gorgeous site for our lunch and surgical procedures. When hiking long distance, it’s not uncommon to develop some impressive blistering so lots of mole skin was in order. The uphill sections were pretty intense and although I was not afflicted, my Achilles tendon did get a bit sore by the 22 mile, grin.

The dramatic view of Hope Valley and that entire section of Eastern Nevada was unbelievable. I had never seen this view point and it was endlessly spectacular. At times I really felt that this segment was equal to parts of Glacier Park in Montana. If we had a few of those majestic mountain goats striding the granite peaks we passed under, I would have been totally in dreamland.

My recommendation to all, go light. Pack your water frozen if you can stand the weight, enjoy a giant sandwich halfway up, shot blocks in between and a few beers at the end of the day is all you need to have a perfect experience. The guides are always packed to the brim with all kinds of provisions. This is one of the benefits of being involved with the TRT. You can just focus at the trail and not the additional gear you fear you might not have but may need. The guides are hauling it.

As it stands, I vote this section the best of the Tahoe Rim Trail for distance, challange and beauty. Check it all out at http://www.tahoerimtrail.org/

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