Tahoe Rim Trail - Finishing in Desolation Wilderness
I last posted at King's Beach, where I took a break to resupply and attend my online appointment. I ate and relaxed in front of Lake Tahoe before heading back up the trail. My remaining days would look like getting to Tahoe City in about 1.5 days and then finishing the last bit of my hike through Echo Lake. This section is where PCT and TRT overlap, so I would again be meeting up with Northbounders on their way to Canada.
Hiking to Tahoe City (20.5 miles)
I decided to split this section into roughly two days. I got a hitch up later in the day after the library closed at King's Beach, and my only goal was to get to the nearest comfiest tent site along the way. The first full day on trail, I got up early and arrived at Watson Lake before the heat of the day. I ended up taking a day at the lake until about 4 PM. A friendly chipmunk tried getting in my tent with me, which unfortunately I had to decline their advances.
From there, I hiked out a handful more miles and took the first night to relax.
Image Source: Paige Combs, "Watson Lake," July 2026.
Image Source: Paige Combs, "Friendly Chipmunk," July 2026.
My final miles into town, I decided to make it early, and arrived in Tahoe City before noon. I got into town, got some coffee, spoke to the locals, got a ride to the post office, got my package, hung out at a pizza place until my room was ready, then relaxed and showered.
To Desolation Wilderness (8 miles)
The next day I left town around 10 AM. I ended up getting coffee and working on some last items before hitting the trail. The trail followed along the Truckee River, where I was able to watch bike riders on the trail and people taking tubes down the river. The sun was hot, and as soon as I finally hit real shade, I made sure to take time to enjoy it.
Image Source: Paige Combs, "Granite Chief Wilderness Collage," July 2026.
I hiked until I got to the bottom of my first major hill, which I would then attempt the next day bright and early in the morning.
Hike to Ward Creek (21.4)
I got up nice and early to get over the first major pass. My goal for the day was to get as close as possible to Dicks Pass or even begin climbing this major mountain. I lucked out because halfway through my morning at a trailhead, there was some trail magic from Pickles and Freight Train. Other PCT hikers were here as well since now I was back on part of the PCT. They served pancakes and eggs, bacon, coffee, and more. It was great chatting with them, meeting other hikers, and getting some socialization in before finishing my next chunk of miles.
Image Source: Paige Combs, "Photo Collage & Trail Magic," July 2026.
I camped right below Dicks Pass at Phipps Creek. I slept probably the best I've slept on trail in a long time.
The Final Day (20.1 miles)
I woke up from my campsite a bit later than I wanted to, about 6 AM, and finally left my site at 8 AM. I wasn't feeling so well, noticing I had familiar pain in my abdomen and frequent urination. Yesterday had been really hot, and I couldn't resist hiking in the afternoon in my effort to get my miles, so I took some Azo and began hiking as much as I could before the heat started.
Dicks Pass was challenging, but doable. I got to the top before 11 AM, and the views were phenomenal. I had signal at the top and called my partner Neapolitan. He had some news. He might have a job offer in Redmond, Washington, which means we would need to move before Fall.
Image Source: Paige Combs, "Mountain Pass View," July 2026.
With this news on my mind, I finished my last bit of miles for the day until 5 PM. The terrain changed from dirt to granite rock. The signs of the Sierra were all around me. I saw lakes, after lakes, after lakes, after lakes. It's understandable why this area is so protected, because it is just so beautiful. Every handful of miles, there was another lake I saw that I would then say, "this is my favorite." Now I'm not sure if I have a favorite; I just know I want to come back and swim in every single one.
Image Source: Paige Combs, "Lake Aloha," July 2026.
Image Source: Paige Combs, "Lake Fontanillis," July 2026.
Finishing at Echo Lake felt odd. My trip already felt like I had been on it for months, yet it had only been about 1.5 weeks. I chatted with tourists and visitors. I called a Lyft to get me out of the mountains, and I got a motel at the same place I'd been on the first night I arrived. The owner greeted me and remembered me.
I couldn't have asked for a better experience on trail. Although now my Sierra hike might be postponed until Fall, I'm so happy to have had the opportunity to finish the Tahoe Rim Trail.
Stats in the Wilderness
Temperature Range: 44° - 96°
General Location: Kings Beach, CA to Echo Lake, CA
Interesting Fact: There are over 130 lakes in Desolation Wilderness, right outside of Tahoe
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