Tahoe Rim Trail?

[GregB]

The Tahoe Rim Trail is a 165 mile trail (which is currently extended to 170 due to a detour) which circles Lake Tahoe. I've pretty much decided that this will be my first extended thru hike since it's just 80 miles from my house and it can be done in under 2 weeks.

So I'm wondering if anyone here has done this trail? If so what time of year did you do it? One of the big issues for decided what time of year to do this trail is that I want to fit it after the snow melt (which can be as late as June in some spots but can, on a heavy year, extend into August) and before the fire restrictions go into effect (which is usually some time in July but often as early as June).

The reason for the fire restriction limit is that I'd like to use a wood stove like the TATO Element so I can reduce fuel weight. But once the fire restrictions are in effect there are no campfires or BBQs allowed. I'm pretty sure that will include a wood fire stove.

If I push the date out to September or October I'll have reasonable weather, no bugs, but I'll have to carry fuel which still may not be too heavy. I'm just trying to think ahead.

Also, from all the photos I've seen and from the hiking I've done in the area there doesn't seem to be any problem finding trees to hang from. There will be some areas above the tree line and at least one 10,000' peak. As long as you can hike down into the tree line before dark it should be fine.

Does anyone have any advice or experience with this trail?

[jnelson871]

I have been wondering the same things. There is a decent book on the Tahoe Rim Trail that answers some of them but I am concerned about a lack of trees as well. Hopefully someone has some hints.

[Sidewinder]

I've never done the whole hike but only sections. My son and I bikepacked from Mt Rose meadow to Spooner in mid-August. We ran into several groups doing the whole hike. The link below is the organization they belonged to. Through this club, they had had their resupply dialed in. Check it out.

http://www.tahoerimtrail.org/

S

[jnelson871]

Thanks for the link sidewinder. This is next on my list after the JMT. Trying to plan a 15 day route for next year.

[Chop]

My experience is limited to the area that is coincidental with the PCT. It was all hang-able, and everything around the area looked hang-able. Its a real wonderful section of trail. I was out there just after the 4th of July this year. Great weather at that point. I'll probably make a point to come out to the area again..even though it is all the way across the country. Have a great time.

[GregB]

From the altitude it appears to be below the tree line. The vast majority of it being below 10,000 feet. I would love to do 1 or 2 sections before I try the whole thing. Plus, it's only about 60 miles from my house.

[twenty3digits]

I took 10 scouts out on the TRT this past July. We started at Echo lake and went to Tahoe City. There were a tremendous amount of mosquitoes when we went. It was probably one of the most beautiful hikes I have been on in my years of hiking. I have to say that there are some good elevation changes, but plenty of points to filter water.

[GregB]

I took 10 scouts out on the TRT this past July. We started at Echo lake and went to Tahoe City. There were a tremendous amount of mosquitoes when we went. It was probably one of the most beautiful hikes I have been on in my years of hiking. I have to say that there are some good elevation changes, but plenty of points to filter water.

The Tahoe Rim Trail Association which Sidewinder pointed out has excellent maps which show not only the trail, but warn you where there are stretches of no water.

It sounds like I should buy some extra vacation time and keep preparing physically for the trip.

I'm excited. This would be the biggest, longest distance trip I've ever done.

[guySmiley]

Like Chop all my experience is on the PCT portion of the TRT.

What I heard from other hikers that have hiked the whole thing is the PCT part is the best part of that trail.

You spend a lot of time hiking through ski slopes. I passed through that area in July and the wild flowers were pretty spectacular.

[davidalynn]

We're thinking of doing TRT in July 2013, but a bit worried about mosquitoes. Some posts seem to say it's miserable, others imply there aren't many there. Is it handleable or just for a small section (seems like Desolation Wilderness is most of the problem)? Is there a better time of year, or does it not matter too much, and you just roll the dice?

[GregB]

We're thinking of doing TRT in July 2013, but a bit worried about mosquitoes. Some posts seem to say it's miserable, others imply there aren't many there. Is it handleable or just for a small section (seems like Desolation Wilderness is most of the problem)? Is there a better time of year, or does it not matter too much, and you just roll the dice?

I hike in that area and I live right down the hill about 60 miles from Tahoe.

July, in general, is the worse time for mosquitoes in the Sierras. These head nets (http://www.petersheadnets.com/) are very good, lightweight, and inexpensive. I'm getting one this year because I'm tired of getting eaten alive.

However, it also depends on the year. If it's been a big snow year then there will more mosquitoes and there are several places which may still be snowed in. I've hiked in 5 feet of snow at 6500 feet elevation on Father's day in late June. I've had to turn the car around up near Sierra City because road access to the trail was still under 3 feet of snow on the 4th of July. I've even been unable to drive the dirt back roads as late as early August due to heavy snow coverage.

More snow = more bugs. So it's really going to depend on how much snow we get this year. I'd like to go in September when the weather is wonderful and the bugs will be less of a problem. It may still be useful to carry a bug net in September. By late September I don't need a bug net even when I sleep.

However, right around late August we go on fire restrictions which would disallow the use of wood burning stoves like the Element or Caldera Cone. So that means bringing fuel for the whole trip.

Also, I'm hearing that bear canisters are absolutely needed up there. I've seen black bears in the town of South Lake Tahoe so that makes sense.

Overall, July will be buggy, but not overwhelmingly so. If you can get 50 yards away from lakes or marshes you'll notice that it's vastly better

[davidalynn]

GregB, thanks for the response. And obviously understood that a late winter makes things potentially impassable. I'd also like to go in September, but that's not looking good for everybody's schedule. And obviously the risk of the early storm - Truckee just got dumped on yesterday, right?

How hard is it to stay away from the marshes and lakes?

[GregB]

GregB, thanks for the response. And obviously understood that a late winter makes things potentially impassable. I'd also like to go in September, but that's not looking good for everybody's schedule. And obviously the risk of the early storm - Truckee just got dumped on yesterday, right?

Heck WE got dumped on Monday night with marble size hail. :D Blue Canyon had 6" of snow in one night. Truckee probably had more. Another storm is coming through today but it's warmer so it may actually be melting the snow which is good because I had hoped to go up this weekend for at least a day hike.


How hard is it to stay away from the marshes and lakes?

Gosh it really depends on the area. But I find that even getting away 100 feet or more makes a huge difference. But in July/August I'd certainly bring bug nets for the hammocks and DEET.

Oddly enough, when I fly fish I find that it's better if I wade out into the water 30 or 40 feet if possible. The bugs are right at the shore. Even though I'm standing in the lake, as long as I can get away from the shore there are noticeably fewer bugs. Then again, when I hike out from the lake I've had mosquitoes follow me out and keep biting.

Also, there's about a half hour to an hour right before sunset when the mosquitoes go nuts. I've often just gone into my tent and taken a nap during that time. Then I come out and cook later when the bugs have died down. Unfortunately, that "bug nutty" time is also when the fish really start feeding. So it's one or the other. Bugs or good fishing.