Segment 3: Tahoe Meadows to Spooner Summit

Segment Length: 23.1 miles

Start Elevation: 8,740 ft.

End Elevation: 7,150 ft.


High Point: 9,214 ft. (Snow Valley Peak)

Mileage sign at Tahoe Meadows.

At 23.1 miles, this segment from Tahoe Meadows to Spooner Summit is the longest of the three that I have run so far. However, with a higher start elevation than end elevation, I was very excited to not have to run uphill all day (see Segment 2).  Starting at Tahoe Meadows the trail winds along the top of the ridge with great views of Lake Tahoe on one side and the Carson Valley on the other. 

View of the Carson Valley from the ridge.

 All of the climbs and descents are relatively gentle for the first 9 1/2 miles to Tunnel Creek Road. I wasn't trying to run particularly fast but I ended up making it to Tunnel Creek in under an hour and a half. Its amazing how quickly you can cover ground when the trail isn't climbing straight uphill. 

Mileage marker at Tunnel Creek.

Feeling like I was ahead of schedule I decided to stop for a snack and hang out with a couple mountain bikers who had caught up to me. It seems like I get the same reaction from pretty much everyone I run into on the trail when I tell them what I am doing. Its always something like, "Oh, cool. Wait...What?!?" I talked to those guys for a few minutes before they headed down Tunnel Creek Road toward Incline Village and I headed on my way.

One of the Twin Lakes.

Only 1/2 mile after Tunnel Creek I reached Twin Lakes. I only found one lake, but judging by the name I'm sure there was another one near by. It was actually a pretty cool spot with all of these randomly placed white boulders everywhere. Learning from my last run, I drank all of the water that I had and filtered more before leaving Twin Lakes. I was glad that I did as the trail climbed for a solid 2 miles back to the top of the ridge.

Abundance of Lupin.

Once on top of the ridge, the trail flattened out again and traversed across mountain sides of the thickest wild flowers I have ever seen. The huge snow year has provided lots of extra water late into summer, and there are literally entire mountains colored purple with Lupin. Of all my time hiking in the mountains I have never seen anything like it. 

Endless fields of Lupin near Snow Valley Peak.

Marlette Lake with Tahoe in the distance.

With roughly 9 miles left Marlette Lake came into view. I had been banking on being able to refill my water bottles at Marlette but that didn't work out so well. I didn't realize it, but without taking a several mile side hike this was the closest I would I get to the lake. This was unfortunate considering I only had 16 ounces of water left with 9 miles still ahead, including a climb over Snow Valley Peak (9,214 ft.).

A lone tree on Snow Valley Peak.

I slowed my pace a little for my ascent of Snow Valley Peak to avoid getting too dehydrated. I didn't want to risk cramping up again like I almost did on my last run. If there is one thing I am learning it is that the Sierras are very dry and you can get in trouble quickly. Its not like what I am used to in the North Cascades where you cross a creek every couple of miles. From now on when I find a water source I am going to drink until I can't drink any more, because chances are I won't see another drop for miles. Luckily, I had just enough water to get me to the summit of Snow Valley Peak. From there it is a brutal, but easy, downhill cruise for the final 5 miles to the Spooner Summit Trail Head.

Mileage marker at the Spooner Summit Trail Head.

Hitching a ride from Spooner Summit back to Mt. Rose ended up being surprisingly fast and easy. Thanks to Jose for driving me from Spooner to the intersection of Hwy 28. Thanks to Oscar for driving me from there to the bottom of Mt. Rose Hwy. And thanks to Murray for driving me to the top of Mt. Rose. It was a long day on the trail and it was a relief not to have to spend more than a couple minutes on the side of the road!