I took ride with some others up on the Tahoe Rim Trail - Kingsbury South to Big Meadow on July 24th 2010. Well, not that's not quite true, because our destination wasn't Big Meadow, it was Star Lake. Star Lake is about 9 miles in to the 22.8 mile section of the TRT. To get there you have to ride up more than one grinder, across some stunning meadows, over Monument Pass and hike-a-bike through some bouldered sections. A few of the switchbacks on this section of the TRT are ride-able but most you end up carrying your bike instead of the bike carrying you.
Carson Valley
After leaving from the Heavenly Resort trail-head you maintain a pretty steady climb with a few switchbacks and a lot of steps. It's pretty technical in this area. The trail gradually gets steeper and rockier until you reach a forest service road that you are forced to deviate on. Before you get there though you are treated a number of picturesque meadows filled with wildflowers and old growth survivors. After picking the trail back up you traverse a number of small canyons and ski runs. There are a set of old ski lifts you pass under and a great outcropping to perch on and look at Carson Valley below before the trail starts becoming a technical maze of boulders and switchbacks. At the top of this mile or so of hike-a-bike conditions you reach Monument Pass.
Carson Valley and Old Kingsbury Grade
After the pass you encounter a nice long series of up and down through open meadows and sandy decomposed granite. It's the perfect conditions for trees of the ancient variety to flourish.
An ancient tree provided a rest stop
After this point you start to get away from the gentle meandering trail conditions and start getting back into climbing mode; the last push into star lake. This is the point in the ride where I thought I had put in a lot of work for little reward. The meadows and trees were cool but the only vistas were Carson Valley and the mountain peaks. We hadn't really seen much of Lake Tahoe as it was blocked by the hills to the west. That feeling was about to change when I looked up and saw Marcus directing traffic off the trail. He said, "the lake is down there, go check it out and I'll make sure everyone sees the turnoff." After a pass around a few stands of trees I came across this.
Star Lake, California
This is what I rode up here to see! Here is a pristine lake at the base of Freel Peak. There were trout fisherman on a log across the lake, people jumping off the granite cliffs on in the background of the above pic (the dark spot left center). The water was clear and cold. Washing my face, hands and feet in the lake was euphoric. The air temperature was warm and there was a nice cool breeze. After about an hour of eating and talking and witnessing Marcus jump in the lake screaming we started gearing back up to ride back. At this point there were small clouds building up overhead and the skies were starting to become dark. This came in handy in a few places. For instance, when we made it back to the forest service road and had a tough hike ahead of us the small, strategically placed clouds blocked the hot sun for almost half of our slog.
Looking West toward Echo Summit and Lake Tahoe
The last sections coming back into Heavenly Resort were pretty technical for tired arms and legs. I had to stop at one point during the sections that are riddled with steps to eat my last gel pack. My arms at that point were starting to feel heavy and slow. The gel took hold a few minutes later and I was myself again. Coming down into the parking lot was a nice feeling. When we finally got home Moser commented that the ride back to town was the longest combat assault van ride of his life, I'd have to agree.
Me being awesome up in the mountains Photo - Jeff Moser
My summary of the ride goes something like this. If you want to carry your bike in agonizing heat for short little bursts this is your ride. If you want some really technical little climbs mixed in with gentle rollers through magnificent ravines meadows and tree stands, this is your ride. Star Lake was a great reward and the numerous peaks in plain view are impressive. It really had a little bit of everything but was also the most challenging ride I've been on to date. I'll go again, and maybe get up a little earlier and go a little further next time!
Go here for a ton more pics, and here for all 14 of mine.
