Week 13: South Lake Tahoe - Sierra City

scarlson51
Aug 31
3 min read

Approximately Mile 1,093 through Mile 1,196

Sunday, July 13th - PCT Day 78

Have done nothing today other than eat and rest. Very nice first day off in a month. Goodnight.

Monday, July 14th - PCT day 79

Good start to the morning with a breakfast sandwich & Redbull thanks to Dan and Julie, very thankful. Gave Mongoose a ride to the trail, got her WhatsApp in case I travel to Taiwan. Hot but pretty day as I walked past many lakes including the beautiful Aloha Lake. Got some lemonade trail magic at Dicks Pass which had an amazing view to the north and south of turquoise blue alpine lakes and green forested mountains. Met Skye & Trainwreck on trail. Very nice to see them after nearly a month. Didn’t quite make the 25 miles to the edge of Desolation Wilderness b/c my feet were very sore in new shoes and a full week resupply on my back. Mosquitos rather severe as I brushed my teeth. Goodnight.

One of many beautiful lakes along the trail today

Tuesday, July 15th - PCT Day 80

Made it out of Desolation without issue this morning. Met up w/ Deuce, Lilac, Mo and their crew around noon which was fun. The walk was forested for the first 3/4 of the day, so not much to report on views. The last few miles however yielded fantastic views of South Lake Tahoe to the East. My campsite has an epic view of the lake. Reflecting on Desolation, I have to say it is like a chunk of the High Sierra was thrown 100 miles north. Definitely want to come back to Aloha Lake in particular. Excited for dinner, goodnight.

Incredible Lake Tahoe views from campsite

Wednesday, July 16th - PCT Day 81

Very beautiful sunrise this morning over Lake Tahoe. Spent the first half climbing w/ Deuce’s crew. Throughout the day I walked through three ski resorts, first Alpine Meadows, then Palisades Tahoe, and finally ended my day at the Donner Pass Ski Ranch where I got my free 40 oz., some fried calamari, jalapeño poppers, and key lime pie. The views leading up into Donner Pass were incredible. From Tinkers Knob north the trail followed the ridge. To my south was the last of the High Sierra, grey and white. While to my north was Nor-Cal, green with forest and the occasional red-brown basaltic butte poking up into the sky. Bunked w/ Ryan & British woman. Goodnight.

Thursday, July 17th - PCT Day 82

A little hungover this morning. Had a good breakfast this morning with Ryan & British woman. Pretty short day today. Walked under I-80 and sang a sea shanty. Nice camp near the Peter Grubb Hut, goodnight.

Fortunately there were other meal options

Great place for a Sea Shanty

Friday, July 18th - PCT Day 83

Saw my first bear today! Maybe 6 miles out of camp after I talked w/ Skye & Trainwreck for a while. It was a nice, full grown cinnamon black bear. Walked w/ Skye, Trainwreck and Riff for the middle 1/3 of the day which was nice. Ran into “town foods” trail magic just before camp. Had some drinks and sandwiches, very good. Got into camp rather tipsy, good night.

That's a little too close for comfort...

Saturday, July 19th - PCT Day 61

Early start this morning as I had to get into Sierra City before the post office closed at 12:30. The terrain leading into town was extremely similar to Slate Creek - even the geology; except instead of meta-slate w/ sandstone beds, it was meta-slate w/ limestone beds. Crossed the Yubu; God I wish I had a pan and some time. Got a hitch into town. Resupplied and got a burger w/ fries and a blackberry milkshake (very tasty). Hung out w/ Skye & Trainwreck for a while before leaving town & beginning the climb to Sierra Buttes. Camping at a spring on the climb. Goodnight.