Author Archive
By Tim Hauserman
The Tahoe Rim Trail is a 170 mile trail that circles Lake Tahoe. It passes mountain lakes, crosses high alpine passes, and runs for miles through deep forests of red fir, hemlock and majestic white pine…but most importantly, it gives you miles and miles of opportunities to gaze down into our favorite big patch of blue.
The trail is divided into eight sections of between 15 and 32 miles. These bite sized chunks give TRT hikers and mountain bikers, regardless of their physical condition, a chance to enjoy the trail. But have you ever thought of becoming one of the few who have thru-hiked the Tahoe Rim Trail? Here’s a few reasons why you should:
-The trail circles the entire lake. Which means that if you hike it all you can start out in one place and about two weeks later end up right where you began. What is especially cool about this is that for much of the journey you can gaze across the lake at where you have been, while also envisioning where you will soon be.
-If you join one of the annual thru-hikes put on by the Tahoe Rim Trail Association, someone else will handle much of the logistics and provide you with food and water at key points. You will also have a group of companions that are sure to become great friends, and you will be supporting the TRTA in it’s mission to maintain the Tahoe Rim Trail. For information go to http://www.tahoerimtrail.org
-Make no mistake about it. Thru-hiking the TRT is not easy. It’s a tough, bucket list challenge…but it is one that normal humans who hike about 13 miles a day can do in two weeks, as opposed to hiking twenty grueling miles every day for four and half straight months to conquer the Pacific Crest Trail.
-When you finish, you will have the pride of becoming one of the heralded members of the Tahoe Rim Trail 165 mile Club, and obtain a number. Mine is #11.
Need more information? Pick up a copy of my official guidebook to the Tahoe Rim Trail, now in it’s 3rd edition. Its’ available at local bookstores and outdoor shops.
Share this: Lynn Richardson, Your Friend in High Places
By Michelle Portesi
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Photo from LakeTahoeShakespeare.com website
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Well oops! There is so much going on here at Lake Tahoe to write about, that we’ve missed posting about the Annual Shakespeare at Sand Harbor Festival, which started July 11th. But no need to fret, fortunately you’ve still got plenty of time to catch a performance, as the festival runs through August 24th.
There’s nothing like an evening under the stars, a glass of wine and thou.
This year’s performances feature the romantic comedy ‘As You Like It’, with tickets ranging from $15 – $85.
In addition, the theater group has Monday Night’s off, and those of us long familiar with the Shakespeare plays are treated to something a little different. Here’s the calendar:
July 21 – Henry Ford and Thomas Edison
July 28 – Swan Lake
August 4 – The Funk of James Brown
August 11 – Sweeney Todd
August 18 – Booker T
Do be sure to bring a picnic. Last year, we sat next to some vacationers who marveled at our ‘spread’ of culinary delights. “We had no idea you could do this!” they exclaimed. Yes, we locals know that bringing good eats and beverages is as much a part of the annual event as the performances themselves. Don’t feel like going through the hassle? Many local stores make picnic baskets for the event. You can also reserve the Premium Seating and Cafe Table sections or avail yourselves of the food and wine booths and be treated to the Gourmet Offerings from ‘Shakespeare’s Kitchen’ right at the venue. (Do plan to come early to partake. Gates open at 5:30pm).
Also note, that lower gallery is assigned seating. The upper gallery requires you to bring your own low backed chairs and picnic blankets.
Go to laketahoeshakespeare.com for more information.
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Share this: Lynn Richardson, Your Friend in High Places
By Michelle Portesi
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Cascade Falls along the Bayview Trail, with Cascade Lake and Lake Tahoe seen in the distance. (Photo by Michelle Portesi)
I try to do all of the hikes that have waterfalls earlier in the summer season, especially when we’ve had sparse snowfall the previous winter. Cascade Creek that feeds the falls can slow to a trickle, and often by the height of summer, disappear entirely.
The Bayview Trail is one of my favorites. The parking area is located across the highway from Inspiration Point Vista on Emerald Bay, and it’s a wonderfully moderate day hike that will take you past Cascade Lake, up to Cascade Falls and beyond, with views of Lake Tahoe in the distance. There is also a campground there at the entrance, if you are so inclined, right off of Highway 89. (If you’re camping, bring plenty of food and gear. It’s a loooooong way to the nearest market and/or restaurant for eats and supplies.)
Early in the season, Cascade Creek can be so intense, that it is hard to get past all the water engorged tributaries that are gushing around you. Go a little later in the season, and you can kick off your shoes and hike up the middle of the boulder strewn creek for a ways, the granite smoothed to tenderfoot friendly appeal from eons of rushing snow melt. An abundance of flora lines the canyon, Sugar pines, cedars, spirea, wild lupine, alders, ferns and mountain ash. The latter will be filled with brilliant red berries if you do this hike closer to the fall.
Pack a lunch, find a nice wide boulder under a shady tree and relax while the music of water burbles all around you.
Two of our AAUW Gourmet Group Gals relax along Cascade Creek
Share this: Lynn Richardson, Your Friend in High Places
YOUR FRIEND IN HIGH PLACES 