Tahoe Rim Trail
Sunset view of Lake Tahoe from the Rim Trail
Immediately after completing the JMT, we hightailed it to Tahoe to circumnavigate the blue waters. Ok, kidding. We stayed in Reno to “recover” for a few days and eat real food. And plan our l’il loopty lou.
Our Stops:
Tahoe City
Brockway Summit
Mount Rose
Heavenly (resupply)
Luther Pass
Desolation Wilderness/Barker Pass
This will be really short and sweet, like me, because there’s not much to report. When there are views of Lake Tahoe (shockingly few along the trail), they are spectacular. When there are not, the views are boring. Well, I guess it’s really the Nevada side that felt monotonous (NOTE: no water). By far, the best section of the Tahoe Rim Trail is the mileage that coincides with the PCT traveling through the Desolation Wilderness.
We hiked in a clockwise fashion from the top of the lake—Tahoe City—due to its accessibility, aka parking situation. You travel through lush forest and easy terrain along the edge of the lake all the way to Mount Rose (where the best views are). We lucked out and caught the Flight of the Mariposas when we stopped for lunch just beyond the cell towers!
By the time you make it to the Nevada border you can already tell you’ve left Lake Tahoe far behind and will need to rely on the kindness of Trail Saints who leave water at a trailhead for you. Check out the pic of jugs of water by the TH sign. Also, you have a few déjà vu moments when you turn a corner and seem to repeat a trail section that you swear you just completed. Thank Goddess for podcasts and really great music downloads!
Continuing on, we picked up our unnecessary resupply at a tiny shop, hidden in the hills by Luther Pass. When we dropped off the bucket of food and treats before heading to the start line, we thought we were going to need six days to complete the loop. However, we knocked it out in four. Anyway, if you would like to take longer or carry less supplies, then this is your best option.
You wondered at the beginning why I stated that the Desolation Wilderness is the best section when I’m sure you thought I would claim the views from along the lake by Mount Rose as the most beautiful. The Desolation Wilderness section is otherworldly with lakes, granite formations, and high alpine feels. This also happens to be where the bears hangout so you know it’s good. When you collect your thru-hike permit at the Ranger Station, they inform you this is the only section you cannot camp in without a permit. Also how you know it’s good. ;-)
By the time you round out your 165 mile trek, you’re happy to have completed it but don’t really feel the need to attempt it again. And check. Keep Tahoe Blue.
Looking back, as far as trails go, this one is well-maintained and lovely. Although I didn’t care for it at the time, now that I have a few more thru-hikes in my system, I appreciate the loop around Lake Tahoe more. Maybe you will too.
Sunrise through the lupine
