Week 11: Tahoe City to Watson Lake
Off on the trail again for a new adventure! Lucky for us our shuttle driver, Katie C.'s mom, Ann, is available to drive us to our end point at Watson Lake located on Brockway Summit and then to Tahoe City where we left the trail a couple weeks ago.
There we were across from the Baptist Church in Tahoe City with the trail ahead of us heading straight up. With some quick elevation we were rewarded with an expansive view of Lake Tahoe. On this bluff was a sculpture of memories, rocks, sticks, dog tags and small treasures. We decide we should contribute. We each found a unique rock, said a little thank you to our surroundings as we stood on the top of the Thunder Cliff band then added them to the momentous pile.
From here we turned the corner and started following the path of the Truckee River. The views started off looking back towards Twin Peaks were were had been a couple of weeks ago. It looked so far away now.
From here we were in and out of the thick forest on a very windy trail that was slithering up till finally we pop out on top of a bluff that looked out over acres and acres of forest and Lake Tahoe. Although nothing like some of the peaks we climbed on the South side of of the Lake, this must be Watson Peak! … Nope. We turn the corner to see another towering peak ahead of us. Although we will never make it to the top of that one, the elevation gain is not over yet!
A bit farther along and we were looking over at the large piece of land known as Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows ski resorts. We could see High Camp at Squaw Valley all the way to the top of Summit chair at Alpine Meadows from where we stood at rocky perch high above the HWY 89 corridor. It all seemed so large and grand.
We turn the corner around the mountain. On the left we are looking down at miles and miles of forest land towards the Truckee area. Straight ahead is the 'real' Watson Peak and to the right is Lake Tahoe in the distance and the super fun downhill section of the trail heading down towards Mt. Watson Road. We cross the road and as the trail starts again there is the sign letting us know that we are still 5 miles away from our destination of Watson Lake.
At this point we are on a remarkable trail hugging the mountain to the left of us with endless views of Lake Tahoe on our right. It's hard to keep your eyes on the trail when the views are so jaw dropping. But we do in order not to sprain our ankles.
Then there's our turn. A split in the trail takes us straight up again. At this point we are still chugging a long but the pace is slowing as the climb grows steeper. Of course with a steep climb comes great rewards. There it is, Big Blue views again staring right back at us! Thank you TRT for putting us in this gorgeous place today.
At this point we realize that we are not making it to the top of Watson Peak but we are getting close to Watson Lake where the car is parked!
Around the corner and on the other side of the mountain is Watson Lake. We made it! A little murky to be jumping in, we decide to just take in the view, a good stretch, and off to work for the day.
Checking our stats for the day we have done 14 miles with 2,115 feet in elevation gain. A good amount of elevation gain makes us understand why we were feeling the drag half way through. We made it, we did it. See you next week Watson Lake!
We will proudly be sending a check to the Truckee Trails Foundation in celebration of another section completed! Thank you Truckee Trails for your continued effort in keeping our community connected by trails, creating trails and maintaining the what we have already in place. We love our trails! Keep up the good work.
Truckeetrails.org
Next week we will be running in honor of Max Krieg who lost his life at the age of 5 following a short illness in December 2010. Max and his family are very dear to us and to the Truckee/Tahoe community. There is never a day we don't think about him-his sense of humor, funny costumes, and sweet spirit. In his honor by request of his family, we will be donating to Excellence in Education. Max's mother Martha Krieg, will be running with us as will the Executive Director of Excellence in Education, Laura Brown. We are looking forward to sharing this beautiful trail and run with Martha and Laura while (always) remembering a very special 5 year old Max who is with us in our hearts every day. We miss you Max.
"While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about"
Exined.org
Katie Tyler
Realtor®
BRE 01442453
c 530 277 1012
No comments:
Post a Comment