Tahoe Rim Trail - An East Rim Bear Scare
There's something about the experience of a thru-hiker. The familiar bag and tag usually signal to people that you're off on some grand adventure. Arriving in King's Beach today, I was reminded of what community can look like. Everyone knows each other's names. "Hello, Dianne, Burt, Alan". I share my story, and someone else becomes inspired to get outside. If, at minimum, being on a journey can help someone else try something new, I feel like that alone might be enough. I use random spaces that are often overlooked to charge up. Simply by running errands and doing chores, I meet folks. With more people attempting something like this, it gives others permission and confidence to try too.
Image Source: Paige Combs, "Lake Tahoe Views," July 2026.
Kingsbury Grade to Campground (2.5 miles)
After my quick in and out of South Lake Tahoe for one last time, I got back up to the trailhead on Kingsbury Grade. I hung out at Fox and Hound to finish some work before I continued on my journey. I wrapped up some content, ate food, and enjoyed the cool indoors. The afternoons around the lake get scorching hot, and knowing I had a bit of a climb, I wanted to wait out the heat before continuing.
Around 4 PM, I started my walk. I took the paved roads back to the trailhead and hiked around 2.5 miles up the trail to my camping spot. My goal wasn't to get too far. Just enough up the hill to cut some of the ascent for the next day. I didn't expect too much. I followed my typical routine. Took some photos. Enjoyed the sunset and winded down for the evening.
Image Source: Paige Combs, "Sunset at Campsite," July 2026.
Introducing Bear at Dusk
Right around 8:45 PM, I started to hear some huffing and sniffing around my tent. No way, I thought. It was a bear. The bear seemed interested in my campsite, up until I started clapping and yelling, "Hey Bear!" over and over again. It felt like it lasted an eternity. I could hear it over by my BearVault, sniffing around. Then I heard it near a tree. I kept trying to look through the mesh at the top of my tent to get a good view of it, but it was too dark. Next thing you know, I heard it scratching at a tree and breaking branches. I yelled again, "Hey Bear, Hey Bear!" And clapped loudly.
At this time, I had already called my partner and left him on speakerphone, letting him know there was a bear at my campsite. Even if he couldn't do anything, it was comforting knowing he was at least there to listen to me. Finally, the sounds went away. I stayed awake talking to my partner for another hour before finally falling into a broken slumber.
Spooner Lake Lunch Break (13 miles)
I woke up early the next day still a bit nervous. The bear was long gone. I got up to pee, grabbed my BearVault, and pulled out my food to begin eating my breakfast and packing up. I waited until about 6:30 AM to leave the campsite and made some recordings about my experience. What a night.
I had the goal to reach Spooner Lake for my next water supply. The east rim was surprisingly very dry, so I needed to be careful about the time of day I hiked and where I landed each day. It was a quick day. I climbed my steepest climbs all before noon, and I got down to the lake right at 12:30 PM before it was too hot.
Image Source: Paige Combs, "Bench and Lake Viewpoint," July 2026.
Image Source: Paige Combs, "Spooner Lake," July 2026.
Gift Shop Surprise
I came up to a bend in the road, and I could see the gazebos with shade where I suspected there was water to refill my bottles. Two hikers walking by noticed me and, seeing the glazed look on my face, immediately said, "There's a gift shop with ice cream and soda over there, lots of shade and water." So grateful, I thanked them for the intel and B-lined to the water spigot and chugged 1 liter right off the bat.
Image Source: Paige Combs, "Lemonade and Lunch," July 2026.
Once cooled down, I began eyeing the gift shop in the distance. Leaving my things, I walked over to the building and went inside. Overjoyed, I saw Dr. Pepper, Lemonade, and ice cream. I hung out until about 3 PM, enjoying my sodas, eating some lunch, and chatting with other hikers who arrived shortly after me. They planned to camp there with permission from the gentleman in the gift shop. They said I could join them, but I needed to get to Incline Village in the next few days, so I decided to continue my miles.
Marlette Lake Viewpoint (9.5 miles)
I decided to take the road from Spooner through Marlette Lake and hike back up to the trailhead. It shorted my miles only slightly, but allowed me to carry a lot more water for my hike. So I took the road, made it to the lake, took some beautiful evening photos, and trekked the remaining miles up to the campground and spigot.
Views of Marlette Lake to Mt. Rose Campground (14.5 miles)
In the morning, I decided to hike back some miles and take the alternate route to get more views of Marlette Lake. I was astonished by the sheer beauty. This was most definitely my favorite spot, although I am pretty sure I've said that multiple times while on this hike already. I had a fairly easy mileage day ahead, but overall more ascent towards the end of the day. Also, I didn't realize that today was one of the days mountain bikers were allowed to be on trail. So as I was hiking, they would blaze past me as I was dripping sweat up the hills. Next time: Bring a bicycle.
Image Source: Paige Combs, "Marlette Lake Views," July 2026.
I took a short lunch on a rock, eating some soupy mac and cheese. And continued my final miles to Mt. Rose Campground. I hiked through the heat of the day, which I usually avoid. It felt like it took forever to get to fresh water, but once I did, I called my friend and guzzled it while swatting mosquitoes.
Image Source: Paige Combs, "North Lake Tahoe Meadows," July 2026.
Trail Magic Awaits!
I heard from a family that there was trail magic at one of the campsites at the campground. I planned to go to the campsite and meet the trail angels, and then hopefully get a ride down to Incline Village for the night so I could get another shower and some work done. When I got to the campground at 9,700 feet, Jim greeted me. I wrote in his hiker log and took a photo. We chatted, and I drank a soda he offered me as well as some snacks. Very shortly after, more hikers who just finished the Tahoe Rim Trail came by and offered to give me a ride down to Incline Village.
Image Source: Paige Combs, "Array of Interesting Plants," July 2026.
Image Source: Paige Combs, "Assorted Plants, Bugs, Rocks," July 2026.
Incline Village Overnight & Friends (10.5 miles)
I stayed in a very fancy and expensive suite off trail, which isn't normally my style, but it was a necessity for the night, and it was my cheapest option. I took care of my laundry that evening, did some shopping, and baked a frozen pizza in my oven in my luxury room. The pillows were glorious. Best bed on trail 10/10.
I slept for about 6 hours and woke up at 4 AM to complete some work before my friend and her partner joined us for a hike up into Mt. Rose Wilderness. They joined me for about 4 miles before heading back down to the car. Future backpackers in the making!
Image Source: Meika Veach, "Brainstorm Enjoying Waterfalls," July 2026.
After we separated, I climbed the remaining 3 miles to the top of the highest point on trail at 10,285 feet. With rain and lightning expected that afternoon, I quickly descended my last 4-5 miles to Gray Lake off of an alternate trail. The campsites here were excellent, and I was able to get my tent up before the rain started. I called it an early night.
Image Source: Paige Combs, "Stunning Views at Highest Point," July 2026.
Sunrise to King's Beach (10.7 miles)
I had an appointment I needed to be in town for. Although I've had great service on trail, my goal would be to hang out in town for a bit and enjoy some warm food and the lake while working. I left at 4:30 AM before sunrise and started ascending out of the valley where the lake was. The views were jaw-dropping as I hiked on the ridge and descended to the main highway below.
Seeing that common Sierra alpine glow on the mountains was breathtaking. The soft blue of Lake Tahoe, always just stunningly beautiful. I felt so lucky that my morning miles were all descent to the road. Ready to relax once I got to the highway, I got my hitch into town and enjoyed the beach before my appointment. I couldn't have asked for a better nero day on trail.
Stats in the Wilderness
Temperature Range: 53° - 91°
General Location: Kingsbury Grade, California to Kings Beach, CA
Interesting Fact: Mt. Rose is an extinct volcano and the highest peak in the Carson Range.
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