Halloween at Tahoe

Five stars. (★★★★★)

It's not the winter wonderland of 2024 - but still a special, much-needed getaway. I like this new Halloween weekend tradition.

Day 1, Oct 30

The drive up here just sucks. It's long, stressful and the tension is hard to shake. I need to leave earlier next time. Still relieved to be in my happy place.

Day 2, Oct 31

Happy Halloween!

Up early for the Tahoe Rim Trail from Big Meadow to Dardanelles Lake (7.2 mi, 1,335' climb, 3:30). The hike was a bit longer than advertised (including a backtrack for an escaped mitten) and I felt the elevation gain. It was hard to get going, to be honest... In the eye-watering morning cold, hiking straight up a hill, I pondered whether my sore body and soul would have been better served by a rest day. But I can't squander the privilege of being here! The lake was beautiful in the morning sun. Would repeat.

In the afternoon I napped, caught up on work (bah), took a too-hot sauna, then settled in with a glass of wine and the laptop. I hope to feel fresher, more unplugged and in-tune tomorrow.

Day 3, Nov 1

Today is a little better: A little more rested, a little easier to mobilize, a little more present.

The West Fork Carson River Trail (6 mi, 643' climb, 2:45) was a nice choice. Respectable but not too intense; gorgeous little lake at the top; not a single other person on the trail. Back at my cabin by 10:20 a.m. Rest, sauna, meditation attempt, personal catch-up on the laptop.

Where did the day go?

Day 4, Nov 2

Took advantage of the "fall back" and started hiking around 6:15 a.m. The Big Meadow to Scotts Lake trail (6.3 mi, 954' climb, 2:40) is a steady, moderate incline. The trail was lovely, but the lake is accessible via a separate 4WD road so I arrived to find several vehicles parked around it. Lesson learned.

I've found it hard to shake chaos-brain on this trip. I took a few moments on the trail to pause and take in the surroundings and fragrant forest air with presence and gratitude.

Spent the afternoon working on my holiday gift guide and other miscellaneous, with a break to hike Popo's Trail around the property.

Day 5, Nov 3

Last morning, sigh.

This was my third time on the trail from the property to Hope Valley Overlook (5.7 mi, 1,332' climb, 2:30), but the first time without snow. It was easier to stay on the trail, and strenuous enough that I wonder how I did it while wading through drifts.

It was another beautiful fall morning, with clear blue skies and wind in the trees. It felt warmer today; I took off the puffer coat.

Despite my natural impluse to get on the road, I'm savoring my time until 11 a.m. check-out. There's no reason to hurry away from this beautiful retreat.

Can't wait to come back around my birthday in January.