For any out there in the big cyber-world who has been following my musings, you might have noticed that I have been doing a fair bit of running on the Tahoe Rim Trail these past few weeks. I had an unannounced goal of completing the trail this summer, a thing I had started in the fall of 2009 and continued in 2010 (I seem to have lost the summer of 2011 somewhere).
That first season - while training for a race I never started - I had run Tahoe City to Brockway Summit, Mt. Rose to Brockway, Mt. Rose to Spooner, Spooner Summit to Kingsbury, and Echo Summit to Big Meadow. I still had a few segments to do, and decided this summer was the time to do them.
First was Tahoe City to Bayview. Long (36 miles) and hot and solo and unsupported. Toughest thing I've ever done.
Second was Big Meadow to Kingsbury. Ran with some seriously demented people who thought a mile-long side trip straight up to the top of Freel Peak would be a good idea, and me being likely equally demented, I agreed.
This last segment was from Echo Summit to Bayview. I hit a stretch of trail I had done previously at Dick's Lake, so I didn't need to circle the Velmas on this run to make it a true circuit on the TRT. I'd say this stretch was both the most challenging from a technical-footing standpoint and also blessed with the most spectacular scenery. Given that combination, looking at the scenery required – for me, at least – a complete stop. It took me a bit longer than I really wanted to complete it, but I had to look around! By my recollection, I saw 13 lakes along the way. All picturesque, all worthy of at least a few minutes' viewing time. I also walked quite a bit of it. I was solo, and unsupported, and really didn't relish a twisted ankle (or worse) several miles into the Desolation Wilderness. When the footing gets dicy, this boy walks!
Some photos for your viewing pleasure. Full downloadable set, here.
That first season - while training for a race I never started - I had run Tahoe City to Brockway Summit, Mt. Rose to Brockway, Mt. Rose to Spooner, Spooner Summit to Kingsbury, and Echo Summit to Big Meadow. I still had a few segments to do, and decided this summer was the time to do them.
First was Tahoe City to Bayview. Long (36 miles) and hot and solo and unsupported. Toughest thing I've ever done.
Second was Big Meadow to Kingsbury. Ran with some seriously demented people who thought a mile-long side trip straight up to the top of Freel Peak would be a good idea, and me being likely equally demented, I agreed.
This last segment was from Echo Summit to Bayview. I hit a stretch of trail I had done previously at Dick's Lake, so I didn't need to circle the Velmas on this run to make it a true circuit on the TRT. I'd say this stretch was both the most challenging from a technical-footing standpoint and also blessed with the most spectacular scenery. Given that combination, looking at the scenery required – for me, at least – a complete stop. It took me a bit longer than I really wanted to complete it, but I had to look around! By my recollection, I saw 13 lakes along the way. All picturesque, all worthy of at least a few minutes' viewing time. I also walked quite a bit of it. I was solo, and unsupported, and really didn't relish a twisted ankle (or worse) several miles into the Desolation Wilderness. When the footing gets dicy, this boy walks!
Some photos for your viewing pleasure. Full downloadable set, here.
 If you need a cab, here's your turnoff.  Trail was rugged for most of the way.  Heather Lake from Lake Aloha.  Starting up Dick's Pass from Gilmore Lake.  Top of Dick's Pass. Lake Susie, Aloha Lake and Halfmoon Lake visible (L to R) Pyramid Peak in the background.  My Twitter avatar tree. Still standing strong! Probably 30' around at the base. |  Tamarack Lake  Between Aloha and Heather  Between Aloha and Heather  Low on Dick's Pass, looking west toward Aloha, and Pyramid Peak (left).  The long downhill to Bayview. Granite Lake, Emerald Bay and the bulk of Tahoe front to back. |
Panorama shot of Aloha Lake
Elevation Profile
I was able to finish strong and ran the downhill past Granite Lake to Bayview: something I definitely DID NOT do when emerging from my run from Tahoe City. That time, I was pretty damn happy to simply remain vertical.
I celebrated my accomplishment with a Nalgene of Recoverite slush, and watching the cars drive by. After about 20 minutes, my stomach announced its emptiness and presence, and it was off to Red Hut to gorge myself on a late brunch.
Give me a month, and I'll be back, repeating the series of runs. Though I'll split the long nasty from Tahoe City to Bayview into two, and do it as a series of nine runs. Who wants to join me?
I celebrated my accomplishment with a Nalgene of Recoverite slush, and watching the cars drive by. After about 20 minutes, my stomach announced its emptiness and presence, and it was off to Red Hut to gorge myself on a late brunch.
Give me a month, and I'll be back, repeating the series of runs. Though I'll split the long nasty from Tahoe City to Bayview into two, and do it as a series of nine runs. Who wants to join me?
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