Tahoe Rim Trail Backpack. 8/21 - 8/24/03

Our trip started with lighting, thunder, and a downpour and ended with a beautiful summer day. We accompanied Holly Coughlin, Grace Blaylock, and Tenaya the trail dog on their last stretch of the 165-mile Tahoe Rim Trail. What really made this backpacking trip special was that Holly and Grace had saved the best for last .The Desolation Wilderness Area is home to many beautiful alpine lakes, and some of the best high country scenery to be found around the Lake Tahoe area.

We had a wonderful trip starting with a character-building hike in the rain, from Echo Lake to Gilmore Lake. There was incredible scenery at every twist and turn in the trail as we hiked over Dicks Pass. We then left the high country for the last couple days to hike among the trees and ferns in the forest. We had great campsites at Middle Velma and Richardson Lakes.

We couldn’t help being excided as Holly and Grace took their last few steps up the trail to Barker Pass to complete the entire Tahoe Rim Trail. They had been doing the trail in sections for the last few seasons. They received warm congratulations from us, and of course Tenaya got a few extra pets for a hike well done!

During our four-day trip we not only fell in love with the Desolation Wilderness, but with the whole concept of Wilderness. Wilderness designation provides a high level of protection that insures that these areas will remain wild. This is a very unique time in the state of Nevada. We have a chance to get Wilderness protection for many of the special areas of our great state. Please be a supporter of Wilderness in Nevada and find out what you can do to help. KEEP IT WILD!

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