Tahoe Trip

On Aug 26th evening aroung 7.30PM I left bay area to Tahoe, intend on climbing three peaks in as many days. At 9.30 I stopped at Placerville for eat. At 11.30PM I arrived at the Mt Tallac trail head. I intended to sleep in my car overnight.

Friday, Aug 27th: Mt Tallac

Surprisingly I had a good night sleep, may be I was tired. I woke up at 7.15AM by noises of other two hikers who are about to hit the trial. After about 45 minutes of preparation I hit the trail at 8.00AM. The trail is about 10miles r/t with about 3200ft elevation gain. After about a mile or so in, the scenary gets awesome, as the Fallen Leaf Lake comes into view. And after sometime the Lake Tahoe comes into view. It was a clear day so the view from here on is awesome. It's one of the best views I've ever seen hiking in the Sierra's. After slow progress due to the high altitute, I arrived at the summit at 10.40AM. Shortly after the other two hikers who started earlier arrived at the summit. View from the top is increadible. I'll recommend this hike to anyone who wants to see the full view of the Lake Tahoe and surrounding mountains and peaks. After staying for about an hour at the summit I arrived at the trailhead aroung 2.00PM.

After lunch at Taco Bell, I drove to the Freel Peak trial head (Fountain Place), which will be my destination tomorrow. But the off road trail was closed about the 2 miles before the trail (makes my r/t 15miles and considerable amount of elevation gain). So, I decided to do from the High Meadows Trail head which has about 14miles r/t. Again I drove to the High Meadows TH and see if I can sleep in my. The trail is totally isolated, and see no one or no cars. I drove back to the lake and read book for about an hour while enjoying the sunset. After dinner at local McD, I went back to the TH and slept in my car.

Sat, Aug 28th: Freel Peak (well almost):

I woke up really tired at 7.00AM. I didn't sleep well. Still I managed to start around 8.10AM. No one has come up yet. The trail is wide off road trails (no vechicles allowed though) for about 4 miles. Then the trial narrows. I start noticing that the trial is lot harder and I'm slow. I arrived Star lake at 10.35AM. And continued to press on towards the Armstrong Pass. I met some people on this section of the trail, finally. After arriving at the saddle really tired, I climed a small rock formation to eat my lunch before heading into the summit. From here on the summit is steep about ~1000 straight up. And no established trials. After having my turkey sandwich I realished I have all by 24 oz of gatorade. All my 3 liters of water has been gone. I don't think I can make it to the summit and back to the star lake with 24oz of gatorade on this hot day. So, I decided to turn around and reached the star lake thirsty. I decided not take water from the lake (I didn't carry purification tabs or filter; stupid mistake) and continued to press on thinking of those creeks that I passed while going up. Finally, my thirst took over me and I started drinking the water from the creek. I just hope that I don't get sick until reach my car. I arrived TH at 3.30PM and still there is no car, no one.

At the TH, I decided skipping the Round Top my tomorrow's would be destination, in the fear of getting sick for drinking the unfiltered water direct from the creeks. So, I decided to drive back to home and arrived at my home around 9.00PM.