Days 102-103 Miles 1093-1137

Start: 1093.4 End: 1113.8 Total: 20.4

I set my alarm for 6 as I would have a big day that day and still needed to get to trail. Kathy and Michael had breakfast burritos, muffins, fruit and coffee ready for me in the morning, it was amazing. Michael even made some extra burritos for me to pack out! After breakfast we all left to go back to trail. 

I got dropped off 15 trail miles further than where I got picked up as I would be meeting my boyfriend in Truckee on Wednesday morning. There was reports of it still being quite snowy so I wanted to play it safe and get there in time without rushing terribly. In hindsight I could’ve made it work it just would’ve been really big days but I already set the tone of not being a strict purist. A trail purist does every single step/mile of the trail and will generally look down on anyone who misses any part of the trail. I’ve already missed a few miles here and there and if missing some miles means for cool side experiences or just works out better logistically than I have no qualms. Everyone has their own philosophy! 

I started out near Echo Lake, south of Lake Tahoe. This is a popular hiking spot and there were many day and weekend hikers. I hiked around the lake and then headed a few miles up trail to another lake, called Aloha Lake. I saw about 10-15 backcountry skiers and snowboarders coming down and going up. Lake Aloha was huge and beautiful. It looked like a Caribbean paradise but with steep snowy mountains behind it. I walked along the lake before dipping to the side and going down, traversing between a couple other lakes before starting the big climb for the day. 

I set off that day on a mission to do 24 miles to get out of the area where they require bear canisters as I had sent mine home in SF. So sadly because I started at 9:30 and was moving slow I decided not to swim in any of the awesome lakes I had passed. Or even take any breaks. I ate my burritos and granola bars while walking to save time. 

The trail was super flat and easy before going up Dicks Pass. It went steadily up, getting better views of the surrounding lakes and valleys as I went. There was a bit of snow at the top and I took a quick break and threw on my microspikes just to be safe. I made my way down through the snow, then descended, passing along Dicks Lake. I recorded some voice message to send to my friends when I have service and leisurely made my way down the trail. 

There was a little stream crossing where I passed a couple sitting on the other side. The trail then winded down passing one last final lake before making its way into a thicket of trees and mosquitos. It was around 5pm and I still had 8 miles to go. I hadn’t seen a ranger and was just so tired. I really didn’t want to go that far. I was planning on hanging my food bag, surely a couple mile difference wouldn’t be the end of the world. I worried and plotted on what I would say if I saw a ranger. 

I got to a clearing that was a little less buggy then the rest and decided to stop for the day. There were two couples and a group also spread out in that clearing but I was looking forward to a little solitude so I just kept to myself, did some journaling then camp chores, dinner and then off to bed. 

Day 103

Start: 1113.8 End: 1137 Total: 23.2

I got out of my tent around 6:45 and everyone else was already packed up and gone. I got my food bag and had a slow morning making coffee and oatmeal before heading out. 

The trail passed through a thick forest full of dead trees, dead branches and very much alive mosquitos. I’ve been having an issue with my shirt getting sweaty and my pack rubbing on it causing a painful irritation to my back. I’m not sure why all of a sudden it’s an issue but I had to stop and get out another shirt to tie around my back for extra cushion. 

I’ve been meaning to try to read/listen to lord of the rings for a while so I finally put it on a cruised the first 12 miles through the green tunnel.  I only made it to chapter 3 but so far it has me engaged. I think I’d much prefer listening to it and hearing all the different voices then reading it. 

I stopped at a trailhead for lunch and then put some music on for the next climb. A group of ten women were coming down and they all moved over and made room for me, cheering me on in astonishment at how fast I was going uphill, it was quite funny and I cheered them on in return. Near the top I got my first views of Lake Tahoe. I passed an older couple then went straight instead of taking a switchback, which they realized so I had to pass them again a few minute later. 

There were some spicy sections still covered in snow but they were short and I didn’t end up needing my spikes or axe I just went carefully and slowly. Thankfully there wasn’t much snow left or some of the trail would be very treacherous. 

After getting to the top the trail drops back down before climbing back up to the same height. After the second climb I took a short break before following the ridge for 4 miles. The trail was approaching Squaw valley, a popular ski destination and the setting of the movie “the game of gnar” available on YouTube for free. Along the ridge you could see Lake Tahoe and all the mountains on either side of the ridge. It was so beautiful. I planned on spending some time up there writing but there were some storm clouds moving in. 

Right before the trail dropped back down in elevation, I decided I would take a little break but minutes later it started raining and I boogied out of there. I did not want to be on that ridge in a thunderstorm. Luckily the rain wasn’t too hard or lasted too long. I made my 3 mile descent down through the mossy forest before reaching the steam I would call home. I set up my tent and got everything situated and had about 10 minutes to spare before it started raining again. 

I had my dinner and filtered my water and did some writing before going to bed for the evening.