Nevada & California

– Counterclockwise from Echo Summit –

Miles

Days

Miles / Day

About the TAHOE RIM TRAIL

The Tahoe Rim Trail (TRT) is a 171-mile trek around the circumference of Lake Tahoe, the 6th largest lake in the U.S.

This hike has been on my radar for years because it’s one of those great West Coast hikes that creates a loop (like the Wonderland Trail, the Timberline Trail, or the North Circle Loop). You can start at any place of the trail, circle Lake Tahoe, and return right back to where you started.

The TRT remains remains in the mountains above the lake, dropping down to 6,240 feet at its lowest point near Tahoe City and climbing up to 10,338 feet at Relay Peak. As a result, snow may still be present even in the summer months, and the prime hiking season is from mid-July to September.

This trail also overlaps with a 50-mile section with the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and traverses the Desolation Wilderness.

Although most thru-hikers attempt this trail clockwise, I opted to go counter-clockwise instead. I began my hike at Echo Summit (on the south side of Lake Tahoe) and hiked the first 120 miles of the TRT solo. Then, when I arrived at Tahoe City, my (then) 13-year old son joined me for the final 50 miles of the trail.

Scroll down to read my daily blogs from the TRT, check out my gear lists, and read some of the lessons I learned along the way!