Sunday, August 25
Start: Susie Lake
End: north fork of Blackwood Creek
Miles: 26.5
Elevation gain/loss: 5479’/5315′
After a solid night sleep, I was up at 5:40am and on trail by 6:30am. I had a quick climb up to Dick’s Pass (9390′), where I got some cell service and was able to place reservations for Hostel Tahoe in Kings Beach for tomorrow night and the night after. There’s a bus every hour between Tahoe City and Kings Beach which will allow me to slackpack that 20 mile section the day after tomorrow.
After Dick’s Pass, I descended past Dick’s Lake, Fontanillis Lake, and Middle Velma Lake. I passed by Phipps Pass trail and Phipps Creek which was pretty much dry; I didn’t pass water again until Richardson Lake, which made for ~8.5 miles without a water source. I then hiked past Miller Creek and Bear Creek, and passed by Barker Pass trailhead on my way up towards my campsite for the night, next to the north fork of Blackwood Creek.
I went a lot further today than initially planned; my plan had been to camp out by Miller Creek but I passed it at 1:30-2pm and it was way too hot to stop and set up camp. With these additional miles, I have a very light day into Tahoe City at 14 miles. I’m looking forward to some town comforts. I’m also interested to see how many of my remaining 3 days of hiking past Kings Beach could be done as slackpacking/day hikes. We shall see!
