Dick"s Pass and then Home

• Day:  9  (Sept 9, 2016)
• Start:  132
• End:  151 + 8
• Miles:  27
• Running total:  186
• Hours:  12
• High temp:  79
• Low temp:  42
• People met:  6

---

 

Dawn comes over Susie Lake

More ancient trees

A couple of miles and about 1000' foot elevation gain is how I start my day.  Very nice.views of Dick's peak, Half Moon Lake, and Susie Lake

 

Dick's Peak with Pyramid in the background and Half Moon Lake in the foreground

I camped at Half Moon Lake as a teenager with some high school friends. Back then as I climbed the Dick's Peak I remember thinking I want to climb them all, that's more energy than I want to expend today. 

 

Susie Lake 

 

Dick's Lake looking north almost to the top of  Dick's Pass

Ok a little bit of info from summitpost.org about the fellow named Dick. "The peak was named for an eccentric Englishman, Captain Richard 'Dick' Barter, also known as 'the Hermit of Emerald Bay' or the 'Hero of Robber's Roost.' 'Captain Dick Barter was an old sailor (or shell-back, as he expressed it)".   

Site with more info on Captain 'Dick' Barter

I reach the top of the pass, not nearly as windy as the last time I was up here. 

The Pass at the end of the trail

Dick's Lake, the notch to the left is where I took the first shot of this lake. 

 

A view of Tahoe, I am close to Emersld Bay. 

 

The terrain before I drop down to the lakes. 

Lake Fontanilis

 

Lake Fontanilis and the trail winding along her shores. 

I rest a while along the shores of Lake Fontanilis, gathering some water and enjoying the view. 

 

Another lush section

 

Followed by a dry section

The trail takes me through several small unique sections then falls into a forest with lots of down tree debris. The positive side to this forest is the that lovely scent of warm wood. I arrive at Lake Richardson for a rest and view enjoyment. This is about it for the trail as I have 2 miles left to joint my start point before I make my 8 mile trek on the McKinney/Rubicon road home. 

Lake Richardson

It seems so fast that I come upon my start point on an otherwise drab trail crossing at a dusty dirt road. It's 1500 hrs and I completed the Tahoe Rim Trail, I did enjoy this trail as it holds your interest with spectacular views. 

Now the 8 mile road to my folks cabin, this will make a 27 hike day for me. I am driven now with the thought of a good hot shower. 

 

Miller Lske

My last rest stop with a peaceful soothing view of Miller Lake. Now I put in my earphones and play music to help me tackle the literal rocky road ahead.  

McKinney/Rubicon Road, the smooth part 

I follow the road until I pickup a trail that winds back to Tahoma. Jeff and Diane are on their porch and call to me as I walk by offering a beer. The shower calls louder so I respectfully decline. Upon arrival at the cabin my great neighbors, Jeff and Diane have left me a completion award, just the best way to finish!

 

My award, the TRT logo

Susie Lake

• Day:  8
• Start:  113
• End:  132
• Miles:  19
• Running total: 152
• Hours:  10
• High temp:  83
• Low temp:  38
• People met:  18

---

 

 

Showers Lake 

Darkness is present now when I wake to start my day. In just the short time I've been hiking I've lost daylight when I wake up. A quick water fill up then I'm on my way. There is much more water available on the south and southwest sides of Tahoe so that I am only carrying 2.75 liters max whereas on the east side I carried 4.75 liters, a whole 4.4 lbs more. 

 

Morning breaks on mountain tops

The trail passes through damp hillsides feed by springs, providing a lush setting with some flowers still clinging on.  Now I move into a granite filled section, walking next to 15' high walls of rock. The air is cool and the forest is protecting me from heat.

 

Granite abounds in this section

 

A shot of Tahoe

In short order I'm at highway 50 which the trail parallels for some distance before crossing. Now I have a short 2 mile section to Echo Lake and resupply. I always look forward to resupply as it usually means different food as opposed to my hiker food.

 

Echo Lake chalet 

The Echo Lake Chalet is a combination of a small post office, a sandwich shop, a soda fountain, a grocery store, and a souvenir shop, all in that tiny building. So I order a sandwich, some fruit and an avacodo, plus a milkshake. They have a charging station for my phone, so I get that going as I eat. I place a call to Jeff and Diane.  They arrive perfectly as my phone battery tops off.  TThey deliver my last two food packets, a little water and great conversation. I look forward in seeing them as I enjoy their company and talking about the trail with them. 

 

Jeff and Diane, though I better get a picture of them for you. 

I'm off to the Desolation Wilderness, a wonderful granite basin that has loads of hiking memories for me. 

 

Echo Lake pier and boat launch 

 

 

Echo Lake looking west from the trail

I follow the relatively easy trail alongside Echo Lake, at the end of the lake the trail becomes rocky and rises in an exposed area. Thankfully the afternoon sun is somewhat diminished by a breeze.  Then suddenly the rocky climb stops and I'm on a flat dirt tread heading into the forest. 

 

Looking east back at Echo Lake 

 

Such a nice tread

I have fond memories of camping with my dad at Lake of the Woods, then later with Josh and Joy. I reach Lake Aloha where more memories flood my mind of camping trips with my children Josh and Joy and then Jessie. We found the best spot to camp. I remember laying out on granite slabs with them watching the night sky and seeing satellites zip across. 

Lake Aloha with Pyramid Peak in the background 

We all climbed Pyramid Peak one happy afternoon, earning a badge of courage as its no easy challenge. I also remember the first time I ascended that peak with my dad when I was about 13. It was him that showed me camping and this wonderful wilderness. 

 

Just a lot if granite 

The trees tell the tail of how windy it is here 

Aloha and Pyramid 

Leaving that memory filled glacial carved valley, I sweep around Dick's Peak to the east coming upon Heather Lake. 

 

Heather Lake 

I refresh myself here resting a while enjoying the solitude and serene beauty. Now the trail heads to another lake that will make 19 miles for today. 

 

Winds are picking up as I finish for the day. 

 

A small perk of Susie Lake as I descend. 

I find s suitable campsite off the trail with a nice view of the mountains and subsequent sunset. 

 

 

Another wonderful day capped by a pretty sky.  

 

 

 

On the PCT again

• Day:  7
• Start:  90
• End:  113
• Miles:  23
• Running total:  133
• Hours:  10
• High temp:  78
• Low temp:  46
• People met:  5 bikes, 30 hikers

---

 

Morning over Tahoe

Slept well last night, stars out all the time. I'm amazed at how quiet this trail is, no morning squirrels chattering for me to leave and very few jays scolding me for being in their area. So I'm thankful that it's so quiet as this is one of the things I love the best, peace, quiet and solitude. 

 

Star Lake

Good early start, gathering water a little past Star Lake form a spring with water so cold it hurts my hands to filter it, it tastes so good.  

 

Fresh, sweet and cooold 

The huge granite outcrops define the rugged terrain 

 

More Giants

The trail changes from deep forest to a sparce forest with a decomposed granite tread the higher I climb. There are more mighty giants keeping watch. 

 

I continue to climb getting a view to the south of Hope Valley, there is smoke from a fire in Southern California. 

Hope Valley is down there somewhere 

 

A view of Tahoe

Time to descend as I drop in to a forest with some understory burn, not much. I marvel and am thankful the this beautiful trail has no burn scars. I reach highway 89 crossing a nice bridge surrounded by aspens. 

Grass Lake Creek

 Crossing 89 I emerge into Big Meadows. At this point I have completely go past South Lake Tahoe, I feel like it went by really fast. 

 

Big Meadows

This seems to be a popular trail to reach Round Lake. Once I cross this beautiful meadow I step in to another forest. The trail is dust and wider from all the traffic. The sun is bearing down as I climb to Round Lake, thankfully the forest provides about 50% shade for me. There are strings of day-hikers coming out as I hike in. By the time I get to the lake I'm the only one there. I take a break on the shore taking my boots of to refresh my feet. 

Round Lake

 

Looks like pyroclastic flow 

As I leave Round Lake I notice these huge rocks, well really they appear to be stream bed rocks glued together with a nice topping to ash, fascinating. 

I take another break at the edge of a meadow with Red Lake Peak in the background. 

That's Red Lake Peak in the background and notice a tiny bit of snow left. 

Hallelujah, I've reached the PCT section that runs concurrently with the TRT, this means no more bikes. Immediately I notice the trail is flatter, less dusty and like I expect a hiking trail to be. I'm delighted to see familiar territory as well. 

 

The PCT

Heading north to Showers Lake

The trail allows for peaceful walking in this meadow with the Upper Truckee River running through it.  I decide to collect water later from a fresher source, this river is really a slow moving creek with too much warm water growth to suit my taste. Up I go a little bit to a nice campsite protected from the winds that have come up. I'm just above Showers Lake and ready to rest.