[pct-l] TahoeAdvicePlease

[m.karon at comcast.net (Marshall Karon)]

The Tahoe area is fantastic. Motels in the area of the Junction on the way
to Echo Lake are very reasonable if you aren't there Friday or Saturday
night. Campsites normally have a few open spots if you are there early in
the morning. That may leave you out. There are two campsites in town - one
run by the city near the lake and the other near the junction. Probably both
will be full by noon.

I suggest you hike first and do the town at the end. That way you can get
cheap motel rates.  An alternative: go to Pooh Corner near Donner Summit.
Bill and Molly Person are right on a lake (not Tahoe). PMB 154, 11448
Deerfield Dr, Suite 2, Truckee, CA  96161, (530) 587-4485,
bill@billperson.org  (checked daily)
http://BillPerson.org

Hiking in the Desolation Wilderness is great. Many loop trips possible from
Lake Tahoe plus some peaks. Head toward Dicks Pass, Gilmore Lake, Aloha
Lake - also section near Donner Summit. You will need a hiking permit for
most of the area. Tahoe Rim trail too long for 5 days. There are shuttles
running around Lake Tahoe so you can get a ride back to your car. I would
stick to the California side and hike some of the PCT.

Too many people for bear problems.

Marshall Karon
Portland, OR
m.karon@comcast.net
----- Original Message -----
From: "firefly" <firefly@eatel.net>
To: <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
Sent: Monday, July 07, 2003 11:03 AM
Subject: [pct-l] TahoeAdvicePlease


> Hi, I was sent here from Backpacking Light because some folks there told
me
> you all could answer my questions better than anyone else.
>
> I am using the occasion of a business trip to Reno, NV
> this week to take a badly needed but last minute vacation
> afterwards. I am grabbing rental car in Reno next Friday, July 11,
> in the afternoon and I am returning to Reno the following Thursday,
> July 17, in the evening, to make sure I catch my flight home the
> following day. I have lightweight gear, including a Hennessy (best
> purchase ever!). I am going alone, which I have done many times
> before, but always in areas I know very well, like the Grand Canyon,
> or on occasions when I have taken a lot of time to research and
> plan. I am very experienced, (3 Outward Bounds), not in the best
> shape of my life, but still can handle an hour on the steepest
> incline on the treadmill with no problem.
>
> I have scanned websites researching trails and the ones around and
> near Lake Tahoe, including Desolation Wilderness, are the most
> appealing. My thought was to stay in a campground or hotel the first
> Friday/Saturday night (next weekend), but the CA state parks
> campgrounds are all booked, and the hotels in Tahoe are OUTRAGEOUSLY
> priced. Here are my questions:
> 1. Where do I have a shot of getting a place to car camp the first 2
> nights in the Tahoe area? I need a place where I can hang my
> hammock. I read something somewhere about Tom Hennessy getting very
> aggravated with some CA authorities who would not let him hang his
> hammocks for display. I would like to spend the weekend there and
> rent a sea kayak for half a day and just generally get my bearings
> before I head out backpacking.
> 2. After that, do any of you have a suggested itinerary for 5 days,
> 4 nights, or 4 days, 3 nights, on a trail that will take me back to
> my car? Would the Tahoe Rim Trail do it? How about Desolation Wilderness
or
> a
> section of the PCT?
> 3. Bears? Do I need to buy a bear-proof food holder?
> 4. Is there a better area within easy driving of Reno? I do not like
> extreme heat, so look to avoid deserts in the summer.
>
> I normally plan far ahead, but both my elderly parents are very ill and I
> have
> been spending every spare second I am not working dealing with their care,
> etc. My plane leaves tomorrow but I will have email access until Friday
> Noon.
> If any of you who know this area can take time to help me, I would
> be very grateful! Thanks!
> MARSANNE (in Louisiana)
>
>
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