Photo from today (7/28). Partial walk of the EastShore trail followed by lunch. Clean Air! Blue Skies!

 

Galena Falls

It's hard to believe, but I don't have a single shot of the whole group from yesterday. It was Marlene, Deb, Patty, Gail and I who hiked to Galena Falls. Marlene, Patty and Gail did the extra walk up to almost the tip top of the falls. Here are the photos I got from yesterday...

Look at the end of the yellow arrow and you'll see the group who hiked to almost the top of the falls. You'll also see that the falls weren't exactly overflowing with water.

Hike this Wednesday to Galena Falls, Hike next week from Watson Lake to Tahoe City North

 Tomorrow, we're off to Galena Falls! Just a heads up! Next week (Wednesday, July 28th) let's take on another segment of the TRT. We can hike/walk/chit chat from Watson Lake to Tahoe City North. You can see a bit about the hike (like where to park and how many miles it is) on this page. I can't find it on AllTrails, but here it is on another site.  Let's plan on meeting at back part of the Biltmore parking lot at 7:00AM. 

Wednesday Hikes are Starting Up!

We're off to Galena Falls this Wednesday! Please join us if you can! 

Here are some photos from our Incline Flume Trail Hike this past Sunday (I know, not a normal day for our hikes!). Look at the fourth picture down. What is that peninsula? Is it where Thunderbird lodge is? Diamond Peak is on the far left.

 Tessie's Trekkers are On the Move:  Barker Pass to Ward Creek.  11.5 miles

Our small but mighty group met at 6:30am (for real!) at the Biltmore parking lot. Good fortune was upon us as Sherry's husband Wes was kind enough to shuttle us to Barker Pass trail head, a one hour drive. 

We got there at 7:30 am. Five of us in all, we welcomed Estel Binder on her debut hike with Tessie's Trekkers on the TRT. With elevation at roughly 8000', we were met with cool alpine breezes as we started our ascent to the first pass at 8500'... a beautiful way to start the day.

We soon enjoyed beautiful views of Lake Tahoe from high up and at a distance, which lent an air of mystery to the experience. Happily, we were surrounded by wildflower splendor as this portion of the trail was kept moist by series of underground streams, giving the surrounding landscape a lush feel.

We were so amazed by the views and the flowers we couldn't stop taking pictures!

This portion of the TRT shares the trail with the PCT. In spite of our early start, we met many other hikers:  bearded men, some of whom were on their seventieth day hiking the PCT... and still with a spring in their step. We also encountered some brave women hiking alone, and a couple from Tennessee who were on the last leg 12 consecutive days on the TRT. They seemed very happy to be heading toward Tahoe City, a nice hotel and a warm shower. They expressed a love for lake Tahoe that we recognized from our own first encounters. And did I mention the wildflowers?

We approached our second pass, with its changing views, arid conditions and rocky landscape.

                                           

Less wild flower vistas, yet some interesting tree sculptures:

After the second pass... the decent down to lake level from approx. 8500'. Some of the trail challenged us with uneven rocky switch backs. In spite of this, we were greeted by a woman mountain biker heading down the same trail literally bouncing from rock to rock. What some will do for fun! 

We also met a group of Incline Village Trampers hiking the opposite way. They were quite interested in our shirts. Maybe Tessie's Trekkers is the new hot Incline group, thanks to Lori Bard!

The last 2 miles of the hike took us down a logging road, decidedly the most uninteresting part of the hike. Hot, dry and dusty, we were tired and really looking forward to the end. Close to the road where we left the trail, Ward Creek gifted us with one last view of its peace; hard to believe it was so close to that dusty trail. 

Looking forward to our next hike on the TRT!

Renee

 WE DID IT!

On Thursday July 8, a group of Tessie's Trekkers endeavored a 13.5 mile hike along the TRT from Tahoe Meadows to Tunnel Creek Rd. Feeling a bit intimidated by the length of the hike and the hot weather promised for that day, I suggested we begin to hike at the closest point to chickadee ridge. Jane would have nothing of that as it would cut off the meadow portion of the TRT. I'm so glad she insisted. The morning began with cool breezes through the meadow and a gorgeous array of wild flowers. 

We soon reached the bridge deemed by the group to the the official start of the hike. 

We then began our ascent toward chickadee ridge, with the start of beautiful vistas of Lake Tahoe. We went along the ridge, past Diamond Peak Ski area. Wild flowers were in abundance.

 

    

As we hiked past the back side of Diamond Peak, we began to see vistas of Carson Valley and Washoe Lake.

... a lovely contrast to views of Lake Tahoe. We stopped along the way for snacks and lunch.

Just past mile 10 we dropped back to the Tahoe side of the TRT and the grand views of Lake Tahoe.

This began our return into the  Basin, the hottest part of the day. The pups scampered from one shady patch to the next, attempting to cool those tired four paws. 

The last 3 miles brought us to the Incline flume trail, past monkey rock and onto Tunnel Creek Rd. We were all happy to return to our cool air conditioned cars. 

A great day by all and a wonderful way to resume our hike along the TRT. 

    

Back on the TRT this Thursday

 We'll be doing the portion of the TRT from Tahoe Meadows near Chickadee Ridge. The hike begins with the only vertical climb on the trail, 500 ft. total. Then we descend for roughly 12 miles to Tunnel Creek Rd. Bring plenty of water, snacks and lunch. It will going to be a HOT day. 

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/map-jul-1-10-48-pm-63771e3?u=i

Today's Hike to Skunk Harbor

We did wake up early (met at 7:00 am to drive to the start of the hike) and we got great parking spots. The extra special part of the hike was when we arrived at Skunk Harbor and were the only ones there. It was super lovely! Other highlights included Jane taking a swim in the lake (assisted by Buddy). Estel joining us and being our group photographer for the morning. Buddy shaking after a swim in the lake on Patty Proctor and then rolling in the sand and shaking on Patty Proctor again! Buddy sitting on the beach just admiring our beautiful Lake Tahoe. Oh, and the extra extra special part of the hike was the chatting and catching up while walking and enjoying the views!