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Experience the tahoe rim trail |
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Written by Tom Meyer
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Friday, 29 June 2007 |
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Whether you are an experienced backpacking guide, a weekend warrior or just someone in the mood for a day outdoors, the Tahoe Rim Trail Association always has something to offer.
“The trail is built to accommodate everybody,” said the association’s Executive Director Erin Casey. “We offer everything from easy day hikes, to multi-day backpacking trips. We have people who run the trail in two days and others who do it over the course of 10 years.”
Founded in 1981, TRTA’s initial purpose was to construct a network of trails that would circle the rim of the Tahoe Basin. Since the 165-mile hiking route — much of which is also open to mountain bikers and equestrians — was finished in 2001, the Incline Village-based nonprofit has shifted its focus to making the trail a better, more exciting and safer place to hike.
Though the schedule has yet to be finalized, certified Rim Trail guides will lead regular day hikes on the trail throughout the summer to every level of hiker.
“The day hikes vary each year,” Casey said. “Our hike leaders have a lot of discretion and are able to choose whatever hike they’re most interested in, and can also cater to specific demographics, such as backpackers, families and seniors.”
Of course, the most impressive programs the Tahoe Rim Trail Association offers are its round-the-basin hikes. In addition to its grueling Thru Hike — a two-week backpacking adventure — the association will run a pair of hiking series that will take their participants around the basin in a series of day-long treks spread throughout two months.
“In the past, we’ve only had one hike series on Fridays, but we have always had a significant wait list because we can only accommodate about 12 to 15 people,” Casey said. “This year, we’ll have an additional series, offered on Saturdays. It’s definitely been something there’s a demand for, but we didn’t have the capacity to do it because it’s a big-time commitment for our hike leaders.”
Because its activities are almost all volunteer-led, the Tahoe Rim Trail Association also offers training and certification programs to the general public to build its cadre of guides. This summer alone, TRTA will offer courses on trail building, hike leading and first aid. All courses lead to certification and range in price from $20 - $65.
“Most of the stuff that we’re offering this year is the same as last year, but the Outdoor Leadership Training is only in its second year, and we’ve significantly expanded it to accommodate different skill levels,” Casey said.
1 summer, 8 weekends, 165 miles
The following dates and segments are for Tahoe Rim Trail Association’s 165 summer program. The TRTA will be providing two 165 groups, a Friday hiking group and a Saturday hiking group. This program will allow you to finish the entire Tahoe Rim Trail in the summer. In order to do the program, the participant has to be dedicated for all hikes (or makeups), and become a TRTA member. There is a shuttle service for the program, and membership to the TRTA helps support the programs shuttling service.
To sign up for this program contact
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or at (775) 298-0231. Below are the following dates and segments for the 165-mile program.
June 22, 23
Spooner to Kingsbury
12.2 miles
June 29, 30
Brockway to Tahoe City
19.2 miles
July 13, 14
Mt. Rose to Brockway
18.9 miles
July 20, 21
Tahoe Meadows to Spooner
22.3 miles
July 27, 28
Barker Pass to Tahoe City
16.7 miles
Aug. 3, 4
Kingsbury South to Big Meadow
23.1 miles
Aug. 10, 11
Big Meadow to Echo Summit
15.3 miles
Aug. 17-19, 18-20
Barker Pass to Echo Lakes
33 miles
*Overnight Backpacking in Desolation Wilderness
For more information about the Tahoe Rim Trail Association, and for updated schedules of events and hikes, visit www.trta.org.
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