Christine, North Carolina.
Hi, I’m Christine from NC. I thru-hiked the Tahoe Rim Trail in 2020 and I have also hiked over 10,000 miles on other long distance trails including the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, the Te Araroa Trail and the Benton MacKaye Trail.
I have also spent the last 5 years guiding hikes and backpacking trips in Western North Carolina.
Next trail? I'm currently working on my Pisgah 400 and hope to be finished in the next couple of months!
My Tahoe Rim Trail.
When?
2nd - 10th August 2020
How long did it take?
9 days
Start and finish location?
Spooner Summit Trailhead
Group or solo?
Hiked with my husband (Dirt Stew) and friend Rob (Donner) from the AT
How many zeros and where?
0 zero days
Describe your experience in one word or phrase.
Perfect!
Favourite item of gear and why?
Umbrella
It kept be from burning to a crisp and also came in handy when it rained. It can also be used to pee behind when there are no trees and too many people!
Luxury item?
Inflatable pillow that failed (leaked) on me basically straight away.
I guess you can't call a useless 3oz item as a luxury, but the plan was for it to be one!
“Best part.”
We woke up at 5am to hike the one mile trail to the summit of Freel Peak, but the trail was much steeper than any other part of the TRT, so the going was tough.
I gave myself a nosebleed and an asthma attack before reaching the summit, but the effort was totally worth it. I made it to the summit moments before the sun crested over the ridgeline.
From the top of Freel Peak, you could see the whole TRT with Lake Tahoe in the middle as well as other surrounding mountains. We were on top of the world with the most beautiful lighting.
“Unexpected part.”
How many people there were. I guess COVID is making this trail a popular choice in 2020!
“If I could do it again, I would _____”
Not change anything about how we did it!
We enjoyed hiking the trail counter clockwise from Spooner - it breaks up the water carry in that section, and then you can use Tahoe City and Echo Challet (or South Lake Tahoe) as resupply points.
What advice would you give to people thinking about hiking the TRT?
It's a great trail for a first thru-hike.
My only advice is to learn and practice leave no trace principles before heading out and keeping your gear light helps make the hike easier.
It helps to drink a liter of water at water sources so you don't have to carry quite as much during the dry sections.
Learn more about the Tahoe Rim Trail.
Why hike the Tahoe Rim Trail?
Introduction to the highlights of the trail.
Trail & elevation maps.
Who doesn’t love a trail map?!
Location of North & South Terminus.
How to get to the trailheads.
FAQ’s.
When, what and how of the TRT.
Closest airports.
Guide to the closest airports to fly in/out of.
