Tahoe Rim Trail 2021
TRT DAILY LOG
Day 1 - 7/6 - I’m thanking my lucky stars bc everything went so well today. DIA was crowded but we got thru security and to our gate with time to spare. Landed in Reno and got in an Uber to Tahoe city. The driver complained about the long drive and gas prices so we gave him a nice tip. Got some last minute gear and lunch at a bagel spot and hit the trail around 2pm. Tahoe is absolutely gorgeous but today (and this week) was a scorcher. We trudged uphill but met a lot of other thru-hikers along the way. Near the end of the day we hiked with a nice guy named Alvin and we all ate dinner and set up camp together at Watson Lake around 8pm. Miles today: 14. Mile maker 14
Day 2 - 7/7 - Nobody said it would be a cakewalk. Left the campsite around 7am. Homeboy Alvin was long gone by then. It was my turn to carry the bear can and man it made a difference. Not to mention we had a very decent amount of uphill all day today. Even though it was hot, the weather was calm and we had many fantastic views of the lake. There was one point we stopped on top of a ridge and we could see the plumes of smoke from a fire north of Truckee. Soon after we crossed over into Nevada and could see down into incline village! Eventually we decided not to push ourselves and camp at Grey Lake and save passing over the highest point of the TRT for tomorrow. A mile off the trail provided a quaint campsite with plenty of friendly thru hikers and a cold stream to soak our feet and wash off the dirt. Had a leisurely dinner and lots of stretching before the sun went down. Miles today: 17.3. Mile marker 31.3
Day 3 - 7/8 - A big old rollercoaster of emotions today. Started early with an ascent to the highest point of the TRT - Relay Peak. After a celebratory snack at the top we had a long and arduous descent that lasted a long time. Once we reached the bottom and had lunch, our morale was boosted by seeing a lovely campsite on Guthook just ~6 miles up. We walked through the meadows and up onto the ridge and later checked the app again. This time, the app stated that the campground was 10+ miles away instead. To our dismay we had to carry out lots of water and camp right at the border of the no camping zone. We got there with shaky legs and tried to find a spot. Once we did, we spotted a bear walking through the area. Begrudgingly we set up at a different place and ate dinner. Is the third day hump real? We will find out tomorrow. Miles today: 19.5. Mile marker: 50.8
Day 4 - 7/9 - Water was the name of the game yet again. In the morning we set off to fill up at a water pump at a campground 5 miles down the road. It was ice cold but even in the morning it was already heating up. We climbed up and over another pass to find a spectacular view of the lake. We figured out where Tahoe city was up there and it made us feel a lot more accomplished with what we’ve done. After a lunch of mashed potatoes at the top, we went down another long descent and found a fantastic water cache at the trailhead. We chilled out, ate some snacks and talked to other hikers. Two nice ladies also came by and dropped off 8 gallons of water and some powdered Gatorade. We then started up the ascent to our camp for the night. After a lot of huffing and puffing (mostly me), made it up to the ridge and had the best view of the lake just yet. We set up camp and I took off my sock to reveal a gnarly blood blister that formed on top of my pinky toe. Kenny also discovered a painful blister on his foot. After consulting with my podiatrist and my mom on the phone I wrapped it up and we had couscous for dinner. The morale was low at this point and what’s keeping us motivated is going into town tomorrow for our resupply and a hot lunch. Miles today: 18.6 Mile marker: 69.4
Day 5 - 7/10 - Today was much needed. We had an about 10 mile trek to our resupply in Stateline, NV. We got there around noon and picked up our package at Tramway Market and chit chatted with quite a few nice thru hikers and locals. The woman who owned the market told us many times that this type of heat in Tahoe is “very very VERY unusual” for them. We then went to the restaurant next door and got bloody Mary’s to celebrate halfway. Also a burger and salad. Over lunch we discussed the next few days and entertained the notion of finishing a day early so that catching our greyhound on the 16th would be less stressful. Nothing set in stone but the idea of a shower and a bed before SF sounds lovely. After we charged up the battery packs and phones we hiked about 5 miles up into heavenly ski resort. We posted camp at the bottom of a chairlift and had ramen pad Thai for dinner. Feeling good about today, yet a little nervous about the upcoming mileage, blister status and morale. Stay tuned. Miles today: 14.2 mile marker 83.6
Day 6 - 7/11 - Woke up at 530 this morning and hiked on out of Heavenly. Went up a ridge to get a good last glimpse of the Nevada valley before we crossed back over to California. We reached Star Lake by early afternoon and enjoyed a MUCH needed soak and scrub. After drying in the sun we descended down into a desert-ish terrain that reminded us a lot of Buffalo creek in Colorado. The whole way we leap frogged with a couple we met at the Tramway Market, AJ and Gabby from LA. We even passed a crew of counter clockwise hikers we recognized from the first day! The terrain wasn’t anything to write home about and when the sun was in full blast kenny was really feeling the heat. We had our hearts set at doing 20 miles and we pushed thru until 7pm until we camped at Green Creek which is, unfortunately, near the highway. Tomorrow we have the option to hike either 15 or 22 miles. My feet are incredibly sore, and I’m attempting to keep the blisters under control with success thus far. Feeling accomplished but a little nervous for tomorrow. The upside will be shorter days in the grand finale section “Desolation Wilderness”. Miles today: 21 Mile marker: 104.6
Day 7 - 7/12 - Kenny and I woke up early and didn’t fully decide our plan. After oatmeal and bathroom stop at the trail head, we hit the “big meadows” which were gorgeous in the morning sun. We continued walking and passed by Round Lake which was full of mosquitos. Shortly after was showers lake which looked awesome and we filtered water and had a snack. There we made the decision to push thru to echo chalet and desolation wilderness. Kenny and I were determined to get there before they close to get a beer and snack so our pace was swift. Quickly after we hit the southernmost point of the trail we merged onto the PCT. After some climb up and then a long climb down I was able to eat tuna for lunch and then call Rachel, which made the time pass by much faster. An hour later we arrived at Echo Lake and the Chalet was open. We grabbed a few snacks and drinks ($3 9% beer!) and enjoyed them by the water watching the tourists. Feeling accomplished and excited, Kenny booked the hostel in Truckee while I called my parents. After that was 3ish miles into desolation wilderness which is mostly granite and beautiful lakes. Today was a good day. In the tent I can currently hear coyotes howling at the moon!! Feeling happy that the rest of the trip will taper in mileage, increase in views/swims, and that a rest day awaits after putting in the hard work. Miles today: 22 Mile marker: 126.6
Day 8 - 7/13- Today was the day we ventured further into Desolation. 2~ miles from the campsite we stopped at Aloha Lake which was absolutely stunning. Sheer granite slabs and deep blue pools. I can’t describe how gorgeous it was. We bathed and swam in the cool waters and wanted to stay all day but had to keep going. From there, the wilderness opened up to big expanses of different colored rocks and many ponds and lakes. We then set out to hike over “Dicks Pass”. As you can expect, it was long and hard with skree-ridden trails all the way up. We ate a lunch of instant mashed potatoes at the summit and descended down passing by more gorgeous lakes. We lamented that we couldn’t stay longer but tried to soak it in as much as possible. The terrain slowly evolved back into familiar forested ridges and we camped right at our mile goal. It’s hard to believe it’s almost over. We’re both tired and deeply need rest, but are also feeling grateful to be out here and accomplish this big feat. Miles today: 16.3 mile marker: 142.9
Day 9 - 7/14 - Woke up today and did the morning routine (coffee, poop, breakfast, break down, pack up). We hit the trail business as usual and quickly ran into a couple we met in Desolation Wilderness. They said they’re meeting a person on Barker pass who’s providing “trail magic” for thru-hikers and offering a ride into Tahoe City. After more chit chatting we hiked past them and had a mid-morning snack at Richardson lake. Between there and the pass, I caught up to Kenny who spotted a rattlesnake right on the trail. We took a picture at a distance and walked away with caution. In the afternoon we reached Barker pass and this gentleman named “Barricade” handed us cold sodas, snacks and nice company as he waited for the Tennessee couple. There, some PCT hikers also indulged in the offerings and we had some nice conversation with a guy named “Okay” from Texas. After a good long rest we decided to hike up the ridge and find camp for the night. On the crest we found a nice site off the trail and enjoyed beans and rice for the final time as the sun set in the west. 170 miles has felt like a huge undertaking but talking with the PCT hikers with 1000+ under their belts has sure been humbling. This first swing at a thru hike has been challenging and rewarding and has taught me so much about my gear, and my body and my spirit. However, we still have one more day left tomorrow. Miles today: 16.8 Mile marker 159.7
Day 10 - 7/15 - Woke up today a little later than usual and did the morning ritual. Packing up camp seemed to go by quicker than usual, possibly from practice. We hit the trail and the air was cool and crisp. Much of it descended until we got to Ward Creek, where we did our last water filtration. We then crossed a meadow and went around a hill and began seeing more day hikers and mountain bikers - signs of civilization. We were taken by surprise to hear people screaming from a near by ropes course. We also stopped by “the oven” that we saw on the map. It’s an abandoned cement and brick oven built in the trees from the early 1950s. After 4 more miles of downhill we finally found the Truckee river and heard the roars of the highway. There wasn’t a finish line or champagne at the finish line but kenny and I were feeling proud as we took an obligatory picture with the trail sign. Shortly after we got lunch at the Bridgetender and had a beer and a BLT. It feels unreal that it’s over! We had an incredible time out there and wouldn’t trade it for anything. I’m feeling grateful for my privilege to do something like this and that my body and spirit are in tact. Huge thanks to kenny, my family, Rachel and so many others. Can’t wait for a shower and some rest in San Francisco. Miles today: 11.3 Mile marker 171