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

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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.