Author: Dawn Swinney

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An Account of A Tahoe Rim Trail Thru-Hike

This is a comprehensive guide to hiking the Tahoe Rim Trail based on completing it in 2019.
In this post I’ll address:
  • Timeframe– when we were going to start/finish and how long we were giving ourselves.
  • Itinerary– a loose plan of daily mileage and camp locations so we could figure out how many days of food we were going to carry and where our re-supply points would be.
  • Permits– required to hike the Tahoe Rim Trail.
  • Day-by-Day account of our experience.
  • Gear– what we already had, what we needed to buy, and who was going to carry what.
  • Food– SO important.
  • Budget– Because living in the woods for 2 weeks ain’t free.
  • Lessons Learned

This post contains affiliate links- I may receive a small commission for purchases made directly linked to this post. I highly recommend and have used everything on this page so thanks ahead of time should you choose to purchase something!

If reading isn’t your thing, you can watch the video of our experience here.
Ok, let’s go!

“So, what do you think about hiking the Tahoe Rim Trail…all at once?” I asked Darren, my husband, in March of 2019. To my surprise, he said, “let’s do it!”

Ok, maybe the exclamation point is a little overkill, but what matters is that he agreed. With those words we began our planning process for the 165+ mile loop around Lake Tahoe on the Tahoe Rim Trail, or TRT. Here are the nitty gritty details of our adventure, what worked, what didn’t, and how to start if this is something you’d like to add to your list.

Ok, we’re actually going to attempt to hike the entire way around Lake Tahoe. Now what?

The Tahoe Rim Trail, a 165+ mile loop trail around Lake Tahoe’s rim.

Thru-hiking or through-hiking, is to hike an established end-to-end hiking trail or long-distance trail with continuous footsteps in one direction. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy also defines a thru-hike as one completed within a twelve-month period.

Since we had only done one overnight backpacking trip as a couple (and probably carried 50+ pounds of gear each on that trip), we knew we had a lot to learn. I began by watching a number of gear reviews on YouTube (Darwin on the Trail and Dixie of Homemade Wanderlust were our main go-to channels) and listening to every episode of the Backpacker Radio podcast from start to finish. I also became an avid reader of numerous articles on The Trek, a site that has an unbelievable amount of information pertaining to thru-hiking. These all focus mostly on longer thru-hikes like the Pacific Crest Trail, Appalachian Trail, and Continental Divide Trail; however, other than some different types of gear for different climates, everything I learned easily translated to a shorter thru-hike like the TRT. 

I used the Tahoe Rim Trail Association (TRTA) site regularly throughout the planning process and even while on trail. It has sample itineraries, gear lists, trail condition reports, maps, re-supply information (important unless you want to carry all food and supplies for your entire hike), water sources, etc. If you want to try this but want a little more support, the TRTA hosts guided hikes throughout the season; you generally have to apply for those mid-winter. You can also sign up to volunteer with them, which is a great way to pay it forward for using the trail others have worked so hard to build and maintain.

These resources helped us figure out what we needed to focus on in our planning process.

Timeframe

We knew we wanted to take our time, as well as take a zero day (a full day off) in the middle of the hike. We looked at a calendar and randomly chose 2 weeks in mid-July (13th-27th), secured the time off work, and began creating our itinerary based on the days we set aside. We planned our trip for 14 days: 7 days of hiking, 1 day off, then 6 days of hiking, averaging 12-13 miles/day.

The 2018/2019 winter in the Sierra Nevada Mountains was huge, with a 200%+ snowpack and storms still happening well into the late spring. Since we live in the area and hike regularly, I was able to take multiple scouting trips to monitor trail conditions in relation to snow. In mid-June there was still a significant amount of snow on the trail, specifically on the northern aspects. We both looked into our work schedules and after making some changes, decided to push the trip back a full 2 weeks to July 29th-August 11th. 

Late Spring 2019 on Donner Pass, just northwest of the TRT.

Was our timeframe a good one?

Yes.

It was nice to have freedom to take our time. This gave us a few shorter days, mileage-wise, which wound up being helpful with the blister issues I encountered (read on). However, even considering that, we could have shortened our trip by at least 1 day. But, since we already had the time off, we put it to good use and enjoyed the few leisurely days the extra time afforded us. We met a few people on the trail who had shorter time frames and said they felt rushed; it was less stressful knowing we weren’t in that position.

It was also nice knowing we could stop and talk to people along the trail and not feel pressured to rush that because we had “big mile days” (our shortest day was 9 miles and our longest day was around 19.5 miles) to get to our next destination. The social aspect of a trail is unique and is something I wouldn’t have wanted to miss due to a tight timeframe.

This decision to push our trip back 2 weeks ended up being an excellent one; the snow on the trail was minimal and we were blessed with incredible weather the whole time.

August 2, 2019 coming off the north side of Dick’s Pass.

If you’re trying to figure out when and how long to do a hike like this, try to give yourself at least a day on the back end to recover. We came home and had a few days of rest before returning to work. This gave us time to reorganize and assimilate back into our daily routines, which was incredibly needed.

Itinerary

Once we had our timeframe narrowed down, we could start planning our itinerary. We knew we wanted to take our zero day in Tahoe City. Tahoe City is smaller, and easier to access from the trail than South Lake Tahoe. It’s also more laid back and overall just more our scene. Because of this, we knew we needed to start somewhere on the other side of the lake.

Note: If actually touching the water of Lake Tahoe is on your list, do it in Tahoe City! It’s the closest you’re going to get to it. You see the lake most of the hike, but the Tahoe Rim Trail doesn’t ever go directly next to Lake Tahoe; it stays mostly up on the rim (hence, the name).

Pre-hike planning session!

We decided to start at the Kingsbury South trailhead, since that is where we left off the year prior from the section hikes we’d completed. A phone call to Heavenly Ski Area Security a few weeks prior to our start date ensured they had our vehicle and contact information as well as our start/finish dates.

The Parking and Access page on the TRT website is helpful for deciding what your options are, as well as providing specific information about different trailhead parking lots and considerations. Pay attention, because even though we thought our parking location wasn’t an issue, when we arrived back after finishing, they were trying to clear the entire lot to repave it and said we might have been towed if we were a day later. Yikes!

Once we knew our starting location, we began planning our daily miles and approximate camp locations. We knew we wanted freedom, but we also needed some type of schedule to give to our friends and family who were helping to re-supply us. We chose a schedule where we would carry at most 4 days of food and would end up averaging 13-14 miles/day.

We left a copy of this with our friends and family who helped us re-supply along the way.

We also chose to go clockwise. The east side of the TRT is notoriously dry, making water sources few and far between. Although this wasn’t a huge issue in 2019 due to the high snow year, we chose to do the section where water was more plentiful (hence, lighter packs) first.

When our itinerary was set, we made our hotel reservations in Tahoe City. Lake Tahoe is a prime tourist destination, especially during the summer months. We made our reservations several months in advance (and had to change them when we decided to push our trip back). Our itinerary put us into town on a Sunday, which made the already high-season rate, higher; you may be able to get a lower rate if you stay overnight during the week.

Permits

Once we had our general schedule decided, we could get a permit for the Desolation Wilderness. Permits are required to enter the Desolation Wilderness, and you must give the Forest Service your entrance and exit dates when you call to reserve one. When I called, the Forest Service Recreation Specialist told me most people were getting a permit for 4 days (entering on August 1st and exiting on August 4th), which is what I did; however, we entered on August 1st and exited on August 2nd. There was no issue here, since we did enter on our permitted date.

As a thru-hiker, you can bypass the quota (they only issue a certain number of permits per day from the Friday of Memorial Day weekend to September 30th to disperse users in order to preserve the solitude of this smaller wilderness area) system; however, you still must secure the permit before entering. Permits are $10 per person plus a $10 processing fee. The Regulation & Permits section of the TRTA website is the starting point, or contact the Forest Service Supervisor’s Office in South Lake Tahoe at (530) 543-2694 Monday-Friday, 8AM-4:30PM Pacific Time.

I got our permit 2 weeks prior to our start date over the phone. It was mailed to me (you still need to carry the paper copy) and I received it a few days later.

Note: You also need a California Campfire Permit to operate a portable stove. You can obtain one for FREE after watching a short video and answering some questions here. These are good through the end of the calendar year.

Our Adventure… a Day-by-Day

The mileages below were calculated via several methods (Apple Watch, Guthook app, maps). Our total mileage upon completion was closer to 185 miles, but we figured it was somewhere between 175-185. The TRTA still says it’s 165 miles, but there have been several re-routes and changes to the trail. Additionally, there were a few viewpoints and options we chose to hike to along the trail as well.

Guthook app…priceless!

For navigation, Guthook Guides was our go-to. This app is invaluable. It’s a free app but we paid $14.99 for the downloadable map of the entire TRT. We were able to use all the map features without cell service. Features included water sources, mileage markers, additional interesting information, hiker notes, campsite, etc. Darren carried a paper map as backup, should our technology fail; however, we had great success using Guthook the entire hike.

Day 1- Kingsbury South to Star Lake (9 miles)

First photo on the trail. We were doing it!

Starting off with a shorter day proved helpful. We got a late morning start and were able to take our time as we got used to our pack weight and gear. Yes, we had hiked with our packs and gear prior to hitting the trail, but it does feel different once you know you have 165+ miles ahead of you!

This section of the trail was an incredible kickoff for our adventure, with breathtaking views of the Carson Valley, wildflowers, and the Job’s/Freel Peak area. The numerous creeks along this section gave us a chance to try our water filtration system out for the first time on trail. We DID try it at home before we left, which made the trail trial a lot easier!

We camped at Star Lake that evening and treated ourselves to a dip in the lake and an early dinner. Arriving at camp early was again, helpful, because it gave us a chance to establish camp, as well as figure out our methods/routines (cooking, setting up the tent, clean up, hanging the bear bag) all in the daylight.

We followed Leave No Trace principles on our hike, including securing our food every evening before bed. The TRTA recommends a bear proof canister but we felt confident in our hanging skills and never had an issue.

Highs & Lows

  • Mile 1…we were ON the trail we’d planned so long for!
  • Star Lake. My favorite camp spot of the trip.
  • Turns out I don’t sleep well in a tent. I would wake up between 2-4am every morning for the remainder of the hike.

It. Is. Beautiful. This trail is already so stunning and we’ve barely scratched the surface. I feel so blessed and grateful to have the opportunity to be out here doing this. Thank you, God! …excerpt from my journal on the evening of July 30th

Day 2- Star Lake to Round Lake (18 miles)

We began the day with a climb up to Freel Pass, encountering many day hikers headed up to the Jobs/Freel Peak area. We took the time to stop and chat with several of them who were interested in what we were trying to accomplish.

Coming off the south end of Freel Pass.

We were shooting to camp in the Big Meadow area, but were tipped off by another set of thru-hikers who told us that Round Lake was a nice spot, so we pushed on. Side note: these hikers were both Triple Crowners, meaning they had completed the Pacific Crest Trail (2650 miles), the Continental Divide Trail (3100 miles) and the Appalachian Trail (2180 miles). They were trying to complete the TRT in 6 days and still took the time to stop and talk to us. The trail community is amazing!

18 miles was probably a bit overambitious for day 2, although when you’re on the trail by 6-7am due to long summer days, you can certainly hike the miles. However, my blisters began on day 4 and I think this long day early-on might have contributed to those issues.

Big Meadow, day 2

Highs

  • Talking to Joe and Ashlyn, the impressive and super humble Triple Crowners at the Highway 89/Big Meadow parking lot.
  • My husband hiking 18 miles. He surprised himself…and me!

We ran into a lot of day hikers and had lovely conversations with some of them about our thru-hike. People are stoked for us. It’s truly motivating…excerpt from my journal on the evening of July 31st

Day 3- Round Lake to Benwood Meadows Creek area (11 miles)

This was an exceptionally peaceful morning hiking through Meiss Meadows to the most southern point of the trail. Here the trail joined up with the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), a 2650 mile trail between Canada and Mexico. We knew this would be a shorter day for us since we were meeting friends for our first re-supply the next morning, so we took our time.

The Pacific Crest Trail and the Tahoe Rim Trail intersect for about 50 miles. This marker is the very southernmost portion of the TRT.

We enjoyed a long, late breakfast at Showers Lake, where we also took advantage of the sunshine and breeze and rinsed our dirty clothes out. Locating a good, flat campsite for the evening, we pitched our tent and put out a still-hot campfire from some careless campers before us.

Camp chores- water collection, sock aerating, firefighting.

Note: Campfires are prohibited on the entire Tahoe Rim Trail.

Highs

  • Joining up with the Pacific Crest Trail. It’s a dream of mine to thru-hike the PCT “one day“.
  • Views on the trail below Little Round Peak. Encountered our first snow, which wasn’t enough to be a nuisance, just fun.
  • Stopping and talking to FROGGY (his trail name…F-ing Really Old Guy Getting Young), a PCT thru-hiker trying to finish up a section wildfires kept him off of the previous year.
  • Stellar camp site near Benwood Meadows Creek.

We feel like we’re finding our routine and rhythm a little more each day, each meal, each water fill, each bear hang, each mile. We both have our roles but also help each other out as needed. Loving this simple life…excerpt from my journal on the evening of August 1st

Day 4- Benwood Meadows Creek area to Gilmore Lake (17 miles) , re-supply location #1 of 3

Re-supply day! We had arranged for friends to meet us in the Echo Lakes parking lot mid-morning and hurriedly made our way towards them.

Note…get yourself some friends with an awesome Mercedes Sprinter van who bring chairs (an absolute delight in a trail world of pointy, unlevel seats), hot coffee, fresh fruit, warm smiles and excitement to help with the next leg of your adventure.

Organizing and sorting gear and food on our re-supply.

We spent a few hours with them visiting and preparing for the next section of trail with our pre-packed re-supply boxes. Our friends hiked a 3-mile section around Echo Lakes with us, which was also a total morale booster, and then left us not far before we entered the Desolation Wilderness.

Friends make the miles fly by.

We stopped for a swim in Lake Aloha before continuing to our destination for the night, Gilmore Lake. We knew we had to summit Dick’s Pass the next day and wanted to set ourselves up for an early morning departure.

Lake Aloha, day 4

Highs & Lows

  • Our incredibly fun, uplifting re-supply morning with friends.
  • Lake Aloha. Just experience it.
  • Drinking Coors Light at dinner, hidden in our packs by our friend. We lightened the load and got a treat!
  • Blisters began appearing on each of my feet, making the last few miles up to Gilmore Lake pretty painful.
  • The mosquitos came out in full force at Gilmore Lake when we were trying to set up camp. Our headnets and bug spray were invaluable!
The glamour of thru-hiking.

Going to bed sore, but happy and knowing that any adversity out here is truly just part of the experience…excerpt from my journal on the evening of August 2nd

Day 5- Gilmore Lake to Richardson Lake (16 miles)

There are fewer more peaceful places on earth than an early morning on trail.

Heading up and over Dick’s Pass first thing in the morning was an incredible climb with a view I’ll always remember. Also, since we got up there so early, we had it to ourselves the whole time we were on top.

Taking a moment to take it all in on Dick’s Pass.

We ran into the most snow coming off Dick’s Pass, with giant drifts still intact on the north aspect. This made for interesting navigation of the trail in a few spots. If you go on a big snow year, I cannot stress how important it is to know where you are and where you’re going, as well as where the trail goes. It took a team-effort on our way down to Dick’s Lake to stay on the trail; it was obvious many different routes through the snow had been created by all the previous hikers in the season.

We encountered numerous TRT and PCT thru-hikers in this section, which continued to make for great conversation stops. We exited the Desolation Wilderness late-afternoon and continued on a few miles to Richardson Lake for the evening.

Highs & Lows

  • The view from Dick’s Pass.
  • A long, late breakfast and foot soak at Fontanillis Lake, just north of Dicks Pass.
  • Tough day for my feet…the blisters seemed to be multiplying.
  • Richardson Lake is accessible by vehicle, so camping was a bit crowded.
This was definitely not part of my plan.

My toughest day yet. The 7 blisters between both feet have made walking extremely painful and arduous…this day was survival mode for me, but Darren is doing awesome. I am so grateful for him right now…excerpt from my journal on the evening of August 3rd

Day 6- Richardson Lake to Granite Chief Wilderness border (11 miles)

This was probably one of the most populated days we had on trail. The Barker Pass area is a well-used hiking spot, as well as a main access point for the Rubicon Jeep/ATV trail. It was also Saturday, and it was nice to see so many day hikers out recreating.

I had my It’s All Part of the Experience moment during the heat of this day, forcing us to take an unexpected several hour mid-day break. I hadn’t realized how irritated and swollen my blisters had become and unfortunately one burst as I was hiking. Ouch.

We all have our breaking point- I found mine on Day 6.

We were lucky enough to secure the one campsite at the Granite Chief Wilderness border, which was good because there was a large TRTA guided group camped at the next site to the north in the Twin Peaks area.

The views never get old.

Highs & Lows

  • Our quiet, cozy campsite at the wilderness border. No wind and no bugs!
  • I had thought the previous day was tough, but this was by far the hardest day, blister-wise. Read about my meltdown in It’s All Part of the Experience.

I learned today that I can do hard things, like hike the last however many (40ish?) miles on blistered feet. Beer is in the near future!…excerpt from my journal on the evening of August 4th

Day 7- Granite Chief Wilderness border to Tahoe City (12 miles)

Paige Meadows, day 7

We began the day with a long 6-mile descent into Ward Creek, with stunning views into Alpine Meadows and over towards Squaw Valley. Descending into Tahoe City, we could hear the shouts of people floating the Truckee River before we could see them. We stopped at a picnic table before walking into town to “clean up”, aka, babywipe shower.

We arrived into Tahoe City, as planned, on a Sunday, and we were glad we had pre-made our hotel reservations because town was very busy. Mexican food and a cold beer never tasted so good.

A shower, clean clothes, and family- a welcome sight after 6+ days on the trail.

Highs & Lows

  • Arriving in Tahoe City knowing we had 90-ish miles of trail behind us. We were more than halfway!
  • A soft bed, a shower (or 2!), beer, and having our son come up from Reno to have dinner with us.
  • The 6-mile downhill into Ward Creek was tough on the old legs and blistered feet.

Happy for rest…excerpt from my journal on the evening of August 4th

Day 8- Zero Day (day off) in Tahoe City, re-supply location #2 of 3

The week prior to our start date, we went up to Tahoe City and staged our resupply box at the hotel we stayed at. This isn’t something the hotel will typically do(so we won’t advertise who it was), but we found a nice employee who helped us out by keeping it for us. We put a clean set of clothes, comfy footwear, and swimsuits inside the box, as well as toiletries and items we knew we would enjoy having on our day off.

Note- find a room with surface area to spread out and re-organize your gear.

I knew I had to make some adjustments for my feet, so I went and bought a few pairs of Injinji toe socks and swapped these out with the ones I’d been wearing. These, in addition to some advice from a podiatrist friend, helped immensely in the following miles. Alpenglow Sports in downtown Tahoe City had friendly, helpful staff, and a great selection of gear and essentials any thru-hiker could need.

Us and our packs in front of our Tahoe City hotel.

Day 9- Tahoe City to Lake Watson (15 miles)

Just above Highway 89 looking into Squaw Valley.

After 2 lovely evenings and a whole day off from hiking, we were ready to once again hit the trail. We staged our re-supply leftovers (including our “day off” clothes) box at an undisclosed location (I returned after we finished to pick it up…you could also mail it home if you didn’t have connections in Tahoe City) and returned to the trail. We moved pretty slow the first few miles after a day of a lot of food, ice cream, and beer (#worthit).

Pooped.

This was the day we saw the only bear(s) we saw on our hike. I spotted a mama bear and her 2 cubs a few hundred yards ahead of us, mid-morning. We stayed quiet as they crossed over the trail, gave them space, and let them pass. Once they were clear of the trail, we made ourselves heard and hiked on.

Highs & Lows

  • Actually wanting to get back on the trail was a nice feeling. We were 100% in sync with each other and trail life.
  • Blisters were still an issue, but either I was getting used to them or the day off helped.
  • Bear bins at Lake Watson gave Darren a night off from hanging the bear bag.
  • Lake Watson was slightly creepy. You can access this lake by road and a few people looked like they’d been living up there for some time. We were relieved when other hikers showed up and camped near us.
Running like a well-oiled machine at this point.

…it’s hard to believe we’ve hiked as far as we have and been out here this long…excerpt from my journal on the evening of August 6th

Day 10- Lake Watson to Gray Lake (19 miles)

We got an early start and loaded all the way up with water (about 5 liters each) in Watson Creek. This would be our longest stretch of the trail without water…over 17 miles. Prior to this day, we had been able to hike with 1-2 liters of water at a time due to the sources being so plentiful.

We met up with another thru-hiker, Paul, who we leap-frogged with all day. We ended up having lunch with him at a scenic spot just off the trail and he made for great conversation and company.

Still smiling and happily married. Note: if you’re on trail and someone offers to take your photo, let them.

We crossed back over into Nevada and into the Mount Rose Wilderness. We opted to detour a mile off trail down into Gray’s Lake to ensure we had a good water supply for the evening. It was a peaceful camp site and the water coming out of the lake was fresh, clear, and cold.

Highs

  • A hiking companion. Even though Darren and I love each other, you enjoy the company and dynamic change after so many miles together!
  • The views just past the wilderness border. Stunning.
  • Finally feeling strong and definitely adjusted (even preferring it to the alternative!) to life on the trail.
Somebody please pinch me.

I can’t believe we only have a few more days out here. In some ways it feels like we’ve been doing this forever and in other ways it feels like we just started…excerpt from my journal on the evening of August 7th

Day 11- Gray Lake to Mount Rose Campground (12 miles), *resupply location # 3 of 3

Relay Peak, day 11

We reached the highest point on the trail, Relay Peak (10,338′), mid-morning. The monarch butterflies were migrating through and it was a site to behold.

Mount Rose Ski Tahoe in the background, Darren’s wintertime place of work for the last 25+ years.

We joined up with the trail that heads to Mount Rose Summit at Galena Creek, encountering many day hikers along the way. We crossed over State Route 431 and walked into Mount Rose Campground, where we were greeted by friendly campground hosts who gave us exciting news. A friend of ours had come by, reserved and paid for a campsite for us, and left us Coors Light in the bear bin. We might as well have won the lottery.

Cooler full of ice cold beverages- yes, please.

Our son brought up our final resupply that evening, as well as In-N-Out burgers and fries. This was a good day.

Highs & Lows

  • Dipping our weary feet into Galena Creek.
  • Having amazing friends and family that went above and beyond to help us out and treat us.
  • Seeing Tanner, our son, and spending the evening with him at our campsite (that had a…picnic table!).
  • With better cell service, real life and all its complexities was starting to creep back in.

We have a lot to deal with when we get home…troubles will always be afoot, but we can either wallow in them and let them steal the present or we can acknowledge that we can’t do much but pray and table it for another day…excerpt from my journal on the evening of August 8th

Day 12- Mount Rose Campground to Marlette Peak Campground (16 miles)

Mount Rose Campground, day 12

We woke up to a cool morning and got another early start. The mist rolled in as we were departing camp and it was an incredible sight to see it and the rising sun while we walked through the lush Mount Rose Meadows. We were now on the final stretch of trail, as well as one we’d completed in the summer of 2018.

Beautiful misty morning hiking through the Mount Rose Meadows.

At this point we were walking at a pretty decent speed, making 2.5-3 miles/hour, so we took the scenic loop option that overlooks Sand Harbor. Zero regret for the extra 1.2 miles.

This is where having a little knowledge about the trail comes in handy. We had read on the TRTA website all summer long (and had gotten confirmation from other hikers) that the water pump at Marlette Peak Campground was out of service. We loaded up on water at a creek just north of the campground and were good to go for the evening.

We secured ourselves a camp site (first come, first serve) at Marlette Peak Campground. The water pump was still out of service. By the time our heads hit the pillow, were surrounded by numerous other thru-hikers and backpackers, one of whom we let share our site with us.

Perfecting our tent site…just because.

Highs

  • The mist moved in AFTER we left camp in the morning…dew-free packing!
  • Hanging out at the Sand Harbor Overlook.
  • Finding water at a creek just north of Marlette Peak Campground (the fresh water well there was broken).

Ate lunch in one of my favorite places in the world. Best view of Lake Tahoe…excerpt from my journal on the evening of August 9th

Day 13- Marlette Peak Campground to Genoa Peak area (16 miles)

Another cold morning! We packed up and got out of camp before many others were moving. This afforded solo time in the Snow Valley Peak area (27°…brrr!) and more stunning views of both Lake Tahoe and Marlette Lake. Additionally, we had motivation to push on since we had a group of friends coming to meet us near Spooner Summit to bring us water and snacks and hike a few miles with us.

We still love each other!

Seeing familiar faces on the trail again boosted our spirits and motivated us to push though for the next day and a half. The cold beers, breakfast sandwiches, and potato chips helped too!

Friends. Such a welcome sight!

We set up camp ONE LAST TIME in a random off-trail spot below Genoa Peak near the ATV road. Doing everything for the “last time” became surreal as we realized…we were actually going to finish the Tahoe Rim Trail in the morning. So bittersweet!

Highs & Lows

  • Friends. And all the goodies they brought us. Such a treat at this point in the hike!
  • The 1700′ climb out of Spooner Summit in gale force winds tested our attitudes…but we were so close.
My feet would never quite be the same after this adventure…they would be tougher!

It’s hard to believe this is coming to an end. I’m really unsure if I’m truly ready to return to reality and all that comes with it, but we don’t have much choice. And so I’ll choose gratitude in these final hours on the trail…excerpt from my journal on the evening of August 10th

Day 14- Genoa Peak area to Kingsbury South (13 miles)

Our last time packing up camp!

So close, but so far. I think the anticipation of finishing made these miles feel longer than they really were, but looking back, I’m so thankful they were.

Parking at Kingsbury South is a bit of a tease; you feel like you “should” be there when you see the sign for Kingsbury North, but alas, you still have several miles of descent, followed by a final several mile, almost 800′ climb. That might not sound like much, but after 13 days of hiking and 185ish miles, it sure felt like it!

This look says, “holy $h!t, we’re actually going to finish this thing!”

The joy of seeing that Kingsbury South Trailhead sign was mixed with sadness as the reality that we were leaving the simplicity of trail life set in. A friendly and enthusiastic group of fellow thru-hikers we had been leapfrogging the last few days were at the trailhead to cheer us in.

We had finished.

We were back where we began, but we would never be the same.

Gear

After extensive research, review reading, and YouTube watching, we knew we wanted to go as light as possible, but also try to not break the bank with purchasing. Fortunately, as a couple, we were able to share a few things, which cut down on the total weight each of us carried. Below is the list of what we carried, what we ditched, and what we altered while on trail.

The “base weight” is all of our gear minus food and water, which ranged anywhere from 5-15 pounds, depending on how much water we had to carry and how much food we had left. By the time we added food and water to our packs, we were both sitting at about +/- 30-35 pounds, which felt very comfortable.

Dawn– base weight = 17 pounds

What I took for a long walk around Lake Tahoe.

Carry, Sleep, Sit:

You become pretty familiar with your gear after you pack it and unpack it a few times!

I loved my Carry, Sleep, Sit system. In the future I would swap out the Z-Seat pad for a full length Z-lite. Having a sit pad was amazing, but I would have enjoyed the versatility of being able to also stretch it out and lay down or do some yoga on it at trail stops and camp.

The trekking poles were a new addition for me. I’d never used them for hiking or backpacking until I began training for the TRT. Between the weight I was carrying every day and my feet issues, these saved my knees as well as greatly assisted me on this hike.

Don’t let the hero stance fool you- I was pretty reliant on these trekking poles at this moment near the Twin Peaks area.

Warning: the NeoAir sleeping pad is very loud. If you’re a restless sleeper like I am, let that be a warning to you and any sleep partners or nearby campers.

Clothes:

Fast-drying, breathable layers are key.

I spent quite a bit of time researching, trying out, and swapping out clothing pre-hike. Overall, I was happy with my system. Since the hike was mid-summer, the layers I had worked well for both sleeping and hiking. You need a lot less out there than you think, and you have to carry it all, so consider that when deciding what to wear; no one cares that you’re in the same clothes day after day.

I would have preferred Teva-style sandals rather than Crocs for swimming/wading. I could have also hiked in these when my blisters were bad.

My blister issues had nothing to do with my shoes. I hiked too far the first few days without taking my shoes off at breaks, so my feet sat in sweaty shoes and socks for too long, making me susceptible to hot spots. I wore the same shoes on a cooler backpacking trip later in the year and had no issues.

Chilling and drying out at lunchtime in the Desolation Wilderness.

We took every possible opportunity to rinse out the clothes (socks, underwear, etc.) we weren’t wearing and hung them on our packs or in camp to dry. When you’re in the same clothes for that many miles, the funk is real. Staying as dry and clean when we could was something we constantly monitored.

Trail laundry.

Other:

  • iPhone
  • Anker 13,000 Powercore portable charger– gave me about 4-5 full phone charges (less in cooler temps)
  • Charging cables for iPhone, Apple Watch- ditched the watch mid-way in favor of having more battery juice for my phone
  • Wired Headphones
  • iPhone Tripod
  • Black Diamond rechargeable headlamp
  • Luci Inflatable Solar Light + mobile charger- ditched at Echo Summit due to inefficiency and redundancy (the Anker was sufficient)
  • Sea to Summit bug head net
  • Bear spray
  • Sawyer bug spray
  • Sun Bum 3oz. sunscreen– replenished mid-way 
  • Aquaphor lip repair and protection (SPF 30)- replenished mid-way
  • tp, wipes (Wet Ones brand, not Equate…trust me here), hand sanitizer- all replenished at each re-supply
  • Toothpaste, toothbrush, nail clippers, tweezers, mini razor
  • Probiotics
  • Body Glide (for chafing)
  • Snow Peak 300 titanium mug- ditched at Echo Summit. I made cold coffee in a small water bottle on the trail every morning.
  • Sea to Summit titanium long spork
  • foil lid (to decrease boiling time)
  • Sea to Summit Evac 13L dry bag (for food storage)
  • Lighter
  • Knife
  • 2 x 1-liter Smart water bottles, 1-liter Platypus water bladder, small plastic bottle (8oz.) for coffee and green drink

The only other thing I wish I would have had was a real book. I had one on my phone but was trying to conserve my battery life each evening. A small paperback would have been perfect!

Darren– base weight = 18 pounds

What Darren took for a long walk around Lake Tahoe

Carry, Sleep, Sit:

Rifle Peak area, day 10

Darren was pleased with all of the gear he selected and used on the hike other than his sleeping bag being too short. It was definitely a lesson learned. Tip- sleep a night in your sleeping bag or quilt before you go!

Clothes:

Darren was able to get away with a few less layers because he runs pretty warm most of the time.

Altras are a very popular shoe in the thru-hiking community even though they’re trail running shoes. Darren never had any feet issues on the hike other than 1 small blister. The Altras were trashed at the end of the hike, but overall he was very happy with his shoe choice.

Heads up: Altras are a zero-drop shoe, meaning the heel is at the same height as the ball of your foot. If you have never worn these type of shoes, it is recommended that you ease into wearing them to see if they’re a good choice for you prior to hitting the trail on day 1.

Other:

Because I carried the tent, Darren carried our medical/first aid kit and the water filtration kit. This worked well for us. The ability to share a few key items saved us each a few extra pounds.

When Darren was putting the medical kit together, I thought it was overkill. However, we honestly used almost everything he brought for my blistered feet. He packed a small pair of scissors, which I thought was ridiculous; I ate my words every time I cut another piece of moleskin or Leukotape (what I used to secure the moleskin).

Food

It’s hard to know what your body is going to want on the trail, but the biggest lesson we learned was to keep it simple. Prior to the hike, we envisioned long mornings cooking a warm breakfast and sipping hot coffee, but this wasn’t at all how it worked out.

We set all our food out and packed it into gallon Zip-loc bags, one food bag per day. Our method of food organization evolved along the trail. Note- we saved and re-used almost every bag you see here.

We realized pretty quickly that we felt the best, physically and mentally, in the mornings and wanted to hit the trail as soon as we could. We’d share a bar as we packed up camp and then breakfast usually happened a few hours down the trail. Because it was summertime, neither of us cared about a hot coffee, so we would throw an instant coffee in our small water bottles and drink it while hiking. We also experimented and enjoyed cold soaking our oatmeal (putting it in a leak-proof container at night with water so it was soft and ready to go the next day, cold). The easier the better!

Food was one category where we overplanned and over-purchased. The first few days, we weren’t very hungry at all. I don’t know if this was solely our bodies adjusting to working all day or what, but neither of us ate close to what we brought, amount-wise. We reconfigured our food at our first re-supply, ditching quite a bit of what we had and only taking what we wanted. 

Food becomes a tool out there, but also is an exciting part of the day!.

Breakfast Examples

  • Oatmeal with dried fruit, cinnamon (I put these together before the trip)- we used Talenti Gelato containers (they’re air tight) to put the oatmeal and water in the night before. The next day on trail it was softened and ready to eat!
  • Bars
  • Cold, instant coffee (mixed it in an 8 oz. plastic bottle each morning)
  • Organic Greens in powder form (since we weren’t getting fresh fruit and veggies on the trail)

Lunch Examples

  • Bagged tuna with hot sauce and crushed up goldfish or chips
  • Nut butter and honey in a tortilla
An incredible combination to match the incredible view.

Dinner Examples

  • Ramen with dried veggies
  • Mountain House meals (we would often share one)

Snack Examples

  • Epic meat bars
  • Bars (I had a huge assortment of different kinds so we wouldn’t get bored); Lara Bars ended up being our favorites
  • Trail mix- the saltier the better! Costco’s giant bag with M&M’s was our go-to
  • Gummy fruit snacks
  • Chips
  • Peanut M&M’s, aka “trail eggs”…a must for any backpacking trip I take
In non-trail life I try to limit my sugar intake, but on the trail, these are a favorite and can literally brighten my day.

Simple is KEY. Trust me, the last thing you want to do after hiking all day is prepare a big, complicated, time-consuming meal. Try to eat as normally as you would at home, find versions of food you’re used to in backpacking form, and enjoy!

Food solves a lot of trail-problems. Grumpy? Eat a snack. Energy feeling low? Eat a snack. Feeling like you’re having a bad moment? Dig into your food bag and treat yourself to something you like (#peanutM&Ms). On a long climb that won’t end? A fruit gummy every so often gives you that little boost you need to propel you to the top.

Treats from friends are delightful! Missing…the breakfast sandwiches we scarfed down before the photo.

A Note About Water…

As previously noted, we hiked the TRT after a huge winter, water-wise, so finding water sources was not an issue. The longest stretch we had without any drinking water was Day 10, about 17 miles. On that day we loaded up to our carrying capacity with the containers we had, which was near 5 liters/each. Otherwise we packed 1-2 liters/each.

Filtering water via gravity with our Sawyer Squeeze.

The gravity filtration system worked well for us. It allowed us to fill easily and efficiently from each water source.

We took the opportunity in Tahoe City to clean our filter out, which improved the flow rate; however, the flow rate stayed consistent, averaging somewhere between 1:30-2 minutes per liter.

Budget

Because we invested in some lighter-weight gear, we spent more than you could if you already have gear. All in all, we spent approximately $4250 between the two of us, about $2125 apiece. This included both packs, our entire sleep systems minus the tent, water filtration/misc. supplies, most of what we wore, 2 nights in a hotel in Tahoe City at peak season, food, permits…everything Tahoe Rim Trail-related.

If you break this down by day, it comes out to be about $150 per day, per person. Most vacations are going to cost you at least this much in hotels, travel, food, drinks, etc. While it wasn’t a budget adventure, now that we have all our gear, we could do something of a similar timeframe for probably less than 1/4 of what we spent on this hike.

We purchased the majority of our gear from REI and Amazon. We have a Sierra Trading Post in town, so we frequented there as well.

The pre-hike growing gear pile in our home.

Lessons Learned & Wrapping Up

To say we enjoyed the Tahoe Rim Trail is an understatement. Reflecting on it 6 months after completing it, I feel a sense of accomplishment that I didn’t quite feel at the end on August 11th. We were tired, dirty, and already partially back into our life at home that we knew we had to face when we stepped off the trail. We were sleep-deprived and ready for a bed, food, and sit-down toilets.

However, even though we were ready for the conveniences of off-trail life, we also weren’t quite ready to leave the trail. We loved the simplicity of trail life. Wake up, pack up, filter water, hike, eat, filter water, hike, eat, hike, eat, find camp, filter water, set up camp, eat, hang bear bag, sleep, wake up and do it all over again. It sounds like a lot, and yeah, it was a lot of work, but it was simple. Straightforward.

North of Shower’s Lake, day 3

Choices were limited. Our job was the trail. Our vehicle was our own 2 legs. Our entertainment was each other, others we met on the trail, and the views. Our food was predetermined. Our shelter was carried on my back. Trail-life is good life.

My feet were finally toughened up enough at the end that I could walk relatively pain-free. I made the remark to Darren that I wanted to turn around and go counter-clockwise now that each step didn’t feel like fire. I don’t think he thought that was very funny.

Doing something like this with your partner, in our case, your spouse, is a risk. Darren and I have a healthy marriage, of course with its ups and downs and issues like every other relationship, but on the whole we communicate well and we respect and love each other immensely. But, we had never attempted this type of adventure before. Leading up to the hike, we had disagreements in methods and ideas on things pretty consistently. Was I a little nervous to hit the trail as a married couple? Yes.

In our final hours on the trail just below Genoa Peak- still smiling and getting along!

However, the moment we got out there, it’s like we understood that each of us was attempting something hard. Something epic. Something we would never forget. We were experiencing a gift. Instead of taking the daily struggles and pains out on each other, we communicated how much we loved and were proud of the other person. Additionally, we laughed a lot, at ourselves and each other; humor goes a long way in improving your attitude.

How can you take anything too seriously with this guy around?

We spent most mornings walking either in silence or close to one another; in the afternoons we gave each other space and freedom to listen to music or podcasts on our phones (WITH headphones…please don’t be the person playing your music for everyone else to hear! Most people want their nature experience without a side of your favorite music). We even downloaded some of the same podcasts and would then discuss them later down the trail, which was also something fun to look forward to.

Regardless, if you decide to hike with a partner of any kind, come up with a few “WHY” statements before you hit the trail. Before you’re tired and dirty and hungry. We did this a week or so prior and it was very helpful to have something to go back to when one of us was feeling a little down or hurting. Our WHY was:

  • Disconnect to reconnect. With each other, God, ourselves, and creation!
  • Adventure. We are doing something together that neither of us have ever done before!
  • Gratitude. Live each day on the trail knowing we are doing something that a lot of people will never be able to do. We get to. We are consciously making the choice to be on the trail. Embrace it.

I can’t tell you how many times I remembered these 3 statements in the miles we walked, and how much they helped and encouraged me to keep going.

Relay Peak, day 11

Flexibility, letting go of expectations, and committing to being present go a long way not just in life, but also on the trail. We wanted to experience this, we made the decision to do it, we made it happen…and we will never be the same!

If this is something you’re even considering, even just a little bit, do it. You don’t even have to do the whole thing! There are numerous ways you can day-hike the Tahoe Rim Trail. Don’t let your (lack of) experience get in the way of an adventure of a lifetime.

Whether you choose to hike sections of a long trail, or try backpacking overnight, or even plan a thru-hike, just getting onto a trail will open your eyes to what’s out there beyond your walls, your doors, your comfort zone, your perception of what you can accomplish, and your thoughts of “maybe I’ll do that… one day“.

Watch a video of our experience!

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I Want To Do More Outside…Where Do I Start?

Me in my element back in the day.

Growing up, my parents had my sister and I hiking, skiing, camping, and whitewater rafting from (almost) day 1. It was a part of life, ingrained into us whether we wanted it or not. I thank them for it, because getting into the outdoors has been a natural part of life for me for as long as I can remember.

I realize that this is not everyone’s experience. In talking to people, and particularly women, a lot of times they aren’t sure where to start. Where to go. What to prepare. If you fall into this category, here are a few ideas to get you thinking, and maybe even get you out there.

What interests you?

Does hiking a trail sound adventurous to you? How about paddling on a smooth-as-glass lake, listening to the peaceful sound of gliding through the water? Maybe sliding down a slope on skis or a snowboard sounds interesting, or perhaps using skis or snowshoes to power yourself up a hill is intriguing.

Decide what outdoor activity is most appealing to you, and then figure out if logistically and financially you can pursue it. Perhaps finances are an issue and will play into what you choose. For example, you can take a hike basically (minus good shoes or boots and appropriate clothing) for free, but skiing will cost you in both accessing the ski area (nationally, tickets average $85/day) and in the gear (think skis/snowboard, boots, poles, socks, base layer, mid-layer, waterproof pants, jacket, hat, gloves, goggles, helmet…). Either way, if getting into the outdoors is your goal, pick something that interests you and then research what you’ll need for that particular activity to get you going.

In some places, you can access a water source, such as a lake, for free, but in others this is more difficult. Heads up for those park access fees. A little preparation and research before you go will help avoid any surprises. Recreation.gov is a great starting point for this.

Renting gear is a great way to start out without making a huge financial investment and commitment before you know you’ll enjoy it. Outdoor stores, ski areas, and lakes often provide rentals to get you going.

Stand up paddle boarding is both a great workout and a peaceful activity that requires an initial investment of at least $300 in gear.

Are you going solo or with a partner/group?

Maybe you have a friend or family member who you know does the activity you’ve chosen. If so, ask them to take you with them next time! Or perhaps there is a lesson or a group you could join to get you started if solo-ing is too intimidating. Local Facebook groups and a quick Google search can generally put you in touch with others in your area looking for outdoor buddies. Your local outdoor retail store might have events they host or promote, so look for a bulletin board in the store or an online calendar. REI hosts events and classes monthly- these are a great opportunity to plug into your local outdoor community.

If your outdoor experience is limited, going with someone else can be very helpful. You can learn a lot from others, and, it’s just enjoyable to experience things with another person or group of people! My post, 3 Lessons I’ve Learned Adventuring with Others, talks about what I’ve learned personally from spending time outdoors with people.

Southern Patagonian Ice Field, Argentina © Photo by @coltonstiffler

If you have the means to travel, choosing a destination via a guided tour can be a great way to get outdoors with some oversight and guidance. Below are a resources I use to dream up and go on my own adventures:

  • REI Adventures: Did you know REI does guided trips? You can choose either by destination, location, or even specific categories such as “Family Adventures”, “Under 35”, or “Volunteer Vacations”. This trips are also categorized by Activity Level so there is something available for everyone.
  • TravelingJackie: Yeah, she happens to be my best friend, but she also knows how to put travel adventures together in an amazing way (see photo above). She works with local guide companies for each trip to ensure you get the best, most authentic experience she can provide. #jumpwithjackie won’t be something you’ll regret.
  • National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS): This is a unique opportunity to pair an outdoor adventure with an education component. I attended a Wilderness First Responder course with them years ago and found it to be an invaluable experience. Their expedition courses range from 1 week long to 1 year long, spanning from wilderness-based medicine to improving leadership skills.

Prepare for your adventure!

A little research before you go isn’t just smart, it ensures your personal safety is being considered as well. Location, gear, and weather are 3 essentials you’ll want to know the basics of before you go.

Location/accountability: Whenever you venture outdoors, it’s wise to let someone know where you’re going and when you plan to be back- check in with them when you’ve returned. Accountability is important! At the very least, leave a visible note in your car with your name, trail taken, and time you expect to return on it.

I do this regularly, even if I’ve told someone else where I’m going, just to be on the safe side.

Research the area you’re going to before you go. If you choose a trail, don’t assume you’ll have cell service the whole time. You can download a map app before you go; this will allow you to use it even if you don’t have service. One of my favorites for hiking is All Trails. The free version allows you to search local trails and download maps you can use even when you have no service. You can track your route, and keep a record of where you’ve been and what’s ahead of you, as well as read comments from others who have used the trail.

Gear: Finding the appropriate gear for your activity can be more crucial with certain activities, but is something to consider, nonetheless. You don’t have to spend a small fortune (because trust me, you CAN!) to get outdoors, but having a few key items can make your experience more enjoyable. Secondhand stores (especially those in outdoor-centric communities) are a great place to start if you’re looking for a deal.

REI has an amazing Expert Advice page for multiple activities, gear lists, advice from experts, etc. When I first got into backpacking, I used their gear list as a starting point and it still lives in our backpacking bin.

One example of a helpful article on the REI Expert Page.

Weather: Doing a quick check on the weather before you go is a crucial part of your safety in the outdoors. Just because you wake up to blue skies doesn’t mean it’s going to stay that way all day (#Nevadaweather anyone?), so pinpointing the area you’ll be in and reviewing the weather for the time you’ll be out there is just smart. It will also determine your packing list for the activity at hand and expected weather. You can use your phone’s weather app, or, to get more specific, look at the general forecast on the National Weather Service site.

It was clear and sunny on our way into this trip and thankfully we were prepared for the incoming storm.

Practice Leave No Trace (LNT) Principles

No matter where you go and what you do, leaving the outdoors better than you found it will ensure a better experience for the next person. Practicing the 7 LNT Principles from day 1 is essential. These are:

  • Plan Ahead & Prepare
  • Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces
  • Dispose of Waste Properly
  • Leave What You Find
  • Minimize Campfire Impacts
  • Respect Wildlife
  • Be Considerate of Other Visitors

To read more about each of these, check out lnt.org. Spread the word!

Part of Leave No Trace is putting your campfire dead out before you leave it. Drown it with water, stir with a stick or shovel, and feel it with the back of your hand. Only You Can Prevent Wildfires!

GO!

You can plan and prepare and think it to death but at the end of the day, action speaks. Experiencing the outdoors is much different than reading and researching it. Taking the leap into it is something I can almost guarantee that you won’t regret. Just GO. 

Ousel Falls Park, Big Sky, Montana

Don’t let the outdoors intimidate you- a healthy respect for it will go a long way to ensure your personal safety, and, ultimately, your enjoyment. If you have any questions that Google can’t answer, ask me! I’m by no means an expert in every outdoor activity, but I can at least point you in the right direction if I don’t know the answer. Also, if you need an adventure buddy, let me know…I just might be available to join you on your maiden voyage into my favorite place. 


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How To Make “One Day” Now

I had a few people read my last blog, Why One Day is Now, and ask me how, in practical ways, they can start moving in that direction. I loved the conversations that this post sparked and figured I’d let you all in on the process I use to make “one day now” as often as possible. Sometimes a simple adjustment to our thought process can produce big life changes. These few points help me with that. Maybe they’ll help you too!

Take your time with each of these. Perhaps get out a pen and paper and write things down. Return a few days later and look at what you wrote, adding and removing where necessary. I kept each point pretty simple as to not muddy it up too much with my own thoughts and opinions.

Identify Your Values

Values guide your decisions, are what you believe, and are likely non-negotiable for you. Basically, these are the most important things to you in life. Come up with 3-5 of your own personal values. 

Tip- If this is hard for you, take a look at your bank account and see what you’re spending your money on. Your finances are a great place to gut-check yourself, because we tend to spend our hard-earned resources on what is important to us. Does it match up at all? Perhaps it’s time to make some adjustments in your personal expenditures to better align them with your values. #adulting

Prioritize Your Values (As Best You Can)

Once you’ve identified what your values are, try to put them in order of importance. Deciding what is the most important thing in your life can be challenging, so again, no rush. It might help to jot down a statement or a few words about each of your values that indicates WHY it made the list. Knowing the why gives true meaning to something. 

Check Your Alignment

This might sound like a yoga thing, but that’s not what I’m referring to here. Once your values are prioritized, take a look at what you’re saying yes to on a daily basis. What commitments do you have? What are you spending your money on? Do your commitments and the things you’re spending the majority of your time, energy, and finances on align with what you wrote down as being most important to you?

If so, good for you. That means you likely are already making “one day now”, or at least cruising toward it. If not, what do you need to adjust? What changes can you make to better align with your prioritized values?

Hike to the top of Scotchman Peak with my 72-year old dad in the summer of 2019. I’d always wanted to do this- we made it happen!

Now, of course we all have to do things on a daily basis that we just have to do that don’t necessarily fall into the “things dreams are made of” category. Doing the things we have to do (and not necessarily what we WANT to do) in a graceful way is character-building. However, I’m talking about the things that take up the majority of our time- the big ones; the things we lay awake thinking about at night, the things we’re in financial debt over, the time and energy consumers. Reflecting on, reorganizing, and re-prioritizing them could be a game changer.

These are the tools I use, and, while basic, have really helped me (in conjunction with a lot of prayer and conversations with those closest to me), especially in light of the social pressure to “do” and “have” and “be” something else.

When I return to my values, prioritize them accordingly, and make or break any commitments based on these rather than what culture tells me I “should” do, I can feel confident in my decisions and in the choices my family has made together. And that brings me into the present, making “one day now“.

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Why “One Day” is Now

I recently learned that someone I worked with for years, who just retired in November 2019 after 30 years of hard work, passed away. This news came a week after I found out that a 25-year old friend who had just begun their career in law enforcement and gotten engaged to the love of his life, never woke up after going to sleep one night. A friend’s mom passed away before Christmas at an age that used to sound old, but as my own parents age, doesn’t sound so old anymore. These aren’t the first untimely deaths of friends I’ve experienced, but back-to-back during the holiday season when things are “supposed” to be joyous and happy and life-filled, hit hard. 

It made me step back and reflect. I took a hard look at what I’m spending my time doing. I thought about how I treat those around me, especially the ones I love most. It also made me think about the last few years, since I left my government job in wildland fire, and ask myself a few questions about the thought process I’ve tried to implement since making this big life change.

Making my one day present day.

Do you ever hear yourself saying any of the following statements? 

“One day I’ll travel there.”

“One day I’ll have more time.”

“One day I’ll get to that.”

“One day I’ll call that person.”

“One day I’ll have enough money to go there.”

One of the reasons I resigned from my government job was because I started hearing myself saying “one day” too often. 

My awareness of this came about the same time I saw a few people I worked with, who worked until retirement age, pass away within months of leaving their long-time jobs. They were responsible, they worked hard for 30+ years, and were probably “set for life” because of the wise decisions they made professionally and financially. I admired them, and also mourned the loss of the time they had planned so meticulously for that they would never see.

My former job with the Forest Service took me all over the United States, including the US Virgin Islands for hurricane relief work. Unfortunately, it was for weeks at a time, and my “one days” stacked up every time I left my family for an assignment.

There is nothing wrong with setting your life up this way; for some of us it’s a necessity. Working hard at whatever you choose to do is admirable and important. I did, however, find myself away from home for weeks at a time, spending long days at the office and coming home drained and stressed, and saying yes to a lot of things that felt trivial and tedious. I began to wonder if “one day” could be closer than my overscheduled and overstressed life allowed. I realized it could be, but not without some major changes.

I always said I’d visit New York City one day, so my husband and I made it happen when we found a last minute deal on a plane ticket last fall.

When I left my job to spend more time with my family, I made the conscious decision to make “one day” TOday as often as I could. I realize more and more that time is irreplaceable. We cannot buy more of it and we cannot get it back once it’s gone. Making time for the things we want to do “one day” is so important to do NOW. 

Yes, I gave up a lot of earthly security when I left my job. A substantial paycheck every 2 weeks. Paid vacation. Sick leave. Retirement. Health insurance. All things that are pretty important in a world that just keeps getting more expensive. There was (and still is!)  a lot to figure out, to adjust to, and to restructure in the way of finances and expectations.

However, with this change, I gained TIME. Time to say yes to friends. Time to spend with my family. Time to serve others. Time to be creative, to write, to be outside. Time to be. Present. 

So I dedicate this to those who have passed away before it felt fair to us left behind. Their time on earth is up, cut short so quickly. Through us, their memory is kept alive. We can live with intention and purpose, honoring them with the time we are blessed to still have. Their “one days” all disappeared, but ours still remain. 

What are you saying “one day” to that could be less of a dream and more of a reality? Less in the future and more in the present? What steps do you need to take towards making that happen? You don’t have to leave a job to gain perspective, but one decision can move you closer to “one day” becoming now. 

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Why Me? Learning Through Injury and Illness

I wrote this blog during my time as a CrossFit coach. After spending the last week down and out with the flu, I came back to what I wrote over a year ago. It helped me while dealing with my sickness, and I thought it might be appropriate timing to share it again.

Injuries, and sometimes illnesses, can be a great time to try out a new skill. read a new book, or find a new hobby.

Most people with an active lifestyle have experienced some kind of setback, and generally it’s an ill-timed sickness or an injury (is there EVER a good time for one of those?!). It can be extremely frustrating, sometimes downright scary, and often requires adjusting your “normal” routine. Maybe you have to dial back the intensity or number of workouts you’re doing, or perhaps there are things you just have to take a total break from. Sometimes a medical professional gives you news you don’t want to hear based on an x-ray or MRI or some other test. That could mean just a temporary disruption of your level of activity or…more than that. Think, that dreaded 7-letter word surgery, or perhaps something as serious as a terminal diagnoses. For those of us who have developed the habit of working out daily or getting outside and moving frequently, these things can, yes, derail us physically but they can totally crush us mentally. We can go from the highest high to the lowest low with a single lift, fall, or doctor’s visit. 

Before you tune out due to the seemingly depressing place this is heading, hear me out…our attitude determines our experience. We can choose to look at a bump (ranging from a minor speed bump to Mount Everest) in the road as an obstacle or an opportunity. It is really easy to go down a path of focusing on everything you could do before and can’t do now. It is a huge bummer when something like this happens, especially because it often seems like an injury or illness follows a time where we actually feel like we’re making improvements in our performance or are just starting to get to a good place. We ask, “why now?”, “why me?”, and we can experience a range of negative emotions. I can’t answer those questions for you all and am certainly not advocating a “get over it” mentality. However, from personal experience, I’ve seen that there is often an opportunity and things to be learned from a setback. 

When a friend and I both had injuries that prevented us from running, we signed up for a half marathon and walked it.

Recently, I’ve dealt with a few injuries that have sidelined me from what I’m used to doing daily and after going through a range of thoughts and feelings, have seen some opportunities arise from my obstacles that I thought I’d share.

First of all, it’s been a chance to really take a good look at the things I’ve taken for granted (oftentimes my health and abilities) and return to gratefulness for what I do have and can do. Second, it has shown me the importance of empathy and humility; when we can open our eyes to what others around us are dealing with, it’s humbling and redirects our overall perspective. Perhaps lending them an ear of genuine concern and care is more important than your agenda for the day. Third, it has given me the time to look at what I’m valuing and what I’m finding our worth and identity in and do some self-evaluation to see if my priorities are in line with what I say is important to me. 

None of this means these experiences are easy. They can be downright tough and even completely tragic.

When I think of someone who hasn’t let bad circumstances define them, I think of Kevin Ogar. If you don’t know who he is, look him up; it’s worth the time. In January of 2014 he was paralyzed from the waist down after a weightlifting accident. If you check out his Instagram page, there are a few posts from the weekend the accident occurred (prior to the incident) and then nothing for a month. The very next post is a video of him re-learning how to swim. No hospital photo. No “poor me” photo. No “look at what happened to me…isn’t it horrible? photo. Just photos of him moving forward. Doing what he could with what he had. Embracing his new normal. I’m sure he went through all the emotions, questions, and had moments of total despair, but he also chose to turn this giant obstacle into a chance to take on life as being full of new opportunities.

Pretty inspiring isn’t it?

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Write a Letter

Have you ever given someone advice and almost immediately turned around and had to take that advice yourself?

Last week a good friend was telling me she was at a loss for what to do with a tough relationship in her own life and I told her about my letter-writing technique, which she gratefully tried. Several days later, here I am, writin’ letters of my own.

I have written many letters to people over the years. Generally these are people I’m struggling to communicate verbally with, or who have hurt me, or me them. Some of these have been to people who aren’t even part of my life anymore, but who have warranted me sorting through our past issues on paper. Letters to family, friends, ex’s and even myself. 

Some of these letters have found their way to their subjects, but many have not. A lot of times, just writing out my thoughts “to” them is enough for me to be able to let go and forgive any hurt, bad feelings or resentment I’ve harbored. Sometimes I’ve recognized that the problem was never with the other person, but was hidden in my own personal struggles and hangups.

I wrote my stepson one of these letters last week in the midst of a communication breakdown. Interactions had become tense and we had exchanged unpleasant words. This letter was one I delivered. He deserved to read those words, especially the apology part. Writing allowed me to process my own feelings without the emotion of the in-person conversation. In doing so I was able to cut through the barriers of my own pride and stubbornness, remember the love I have for him, choose THAT, and go from there. We moved on to yet another chapter in the “Dawn trying to figure out stepparenting” book. It’s quite a read, let me tell ya.

Relationships are so important. Sometimes we treat the people we care deeply about the worst. But I don’t want it to end there, excusing bad behavior. I want to purposefully move forward, working on improving the relationships around me starting with myself, my flaws, my shortcomings, and my responsibility.

Is there any relationship in your life that writing a letter would help? Help you? Help them? Repair damage? Extend forgiveness to? Forgive, whether or not they ever even ask for it? Let go and move on? Try it out and see how you feel after. I’d love to know how it goes for you.

Check your mail. 

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3 Lesson’s I’ve Learned Adventuring With Others

With my best friend in Torres del Paine National Park, Chile, Patagonia 2018. © Photo by @coltonstiffler

Even though personality tests describe mine as having more extroverted tendencies, I’m really quite often an introvert. I enjoy, even prefer, doing things solo, especially when it comes to my outdoor adventures: hiking, skiing, and backpacking, specifically. I can go at my own pace, be with my own thoughts, stop when I want, stay at a summit as long or as short as I want, and just do my own thing. However, I have learned some pretty valuable lessons inviting others into my excursions, as well as accepting invitations to theirs. These are things I just don’t think I’d learn always rolling solo.

Sharing an outdoor experience with others creates a stronger bond to them.

People open up outdoors. At least, in my experience, they do. And so do I! There’s something about breathing fresh air and doing something challenging together that breaks down any barriers that might be up in another setting. It levels the “playing field” so-to-speak and often lowers inhibitions we hold onto. I’ve heard some very personal stories while walking down a trail, as well as shared some of mine, simply because I felt comfortable doing so. 

Fall 2019 in the backcountry with an awesome girl friend.

Just last week I went on a 5-day backpacking trip with a friend I knew only casually through the gym prior to us going. There’s nothing like living in the woods for 5 days to really enable you to get to know someone else. We bonded quicker than we even would just seeing each other a few times a week. These moments of vulnerability inevitably bring you closer to whomever you’re sharing with. Of course, there are those circumstances where it can go the other way as well, creating more of a rift with someone- but that’s yet to happen for me personally.

Sharing an outdoor experience with others can take the awe-factor to another level.

So excited to be experiencing this that I could bust a move! © Photo by @coltonstiffler

Yeah, I’ve cried over a view before. I’m not too ashamed to admit it. Every time this has happened, I’ve actually been with other people. The first time was in Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia when we crested over the summit of the Base of the Towers hike. Not only was it jaw-droppingly beautiful, but when I looked around and saw other’s reactions, especially my husband’s wide eyes and wonder, it brought my stoke level to new heights. I couldn’t contain myself! It was truly unforgettable. I believe that we can be affected by the emotions of others, so when it’s a reaction to an awesome view, encounter, or accomplishment, we’re going to feel that if we’re in the same vicinity, in the best way.

Sharing an outdoor experience with others can build your own character.

One of the reasons I like hiking solo is because I enjoy a quicker pace; I love elevating my heart rate and sweating. Sometimes groups of people can be difficult to hike in when there are varying paces at play. One of my favorite phrases is “just because you can doesn’t mean you should.” I take this to mean that sometimes there is a bigger reason to sacrifice what you want or are able to do for the good of others. 

Making it to the top with everyone was everything.

While in Ecuador at a women’s retreat put on by my best friend in 2018, we did a high elevation hike to a Refugio (refuge) that was sitting at almost 16,000’. Although these women were fit, some of them were understandably struggling with the elevation. I had arrived a few days earlier and felt adjusted to it, but instead of charging ahead on this particular hike, I made the conscious decision to stay with the gals that were having the toughest time. Through a lot of encouragement, every woman made it to the Refugio. Some of them cried when they got there; witnessing their joy and tears was more special to me than making it there first. I would have missed that if I wouldn’t have tapped into my patience and understanding, slowed down, and remembered that just because I could, didn’t mean I should. I’ll remember that hike forever, not because of the elevation, the accomplishment, or the view, but for the time I was able to spend with those women on our way up and their pure joy when they made it.

Mount Rose with some of the amazing people in my life.

I still adventure regularly by myself- it’s therapeutic for me. However, these lessons have been invaluable in shaping me as a person and a friend.  Experiences solo are incredibly powerful. They build confidence and courage. But sharing my adventure time with others teaches me something new every time I do it. Opening myself to adventuring with others has changed my view of myself, them, and the incredible place I call my best side- outside. 

On a fall hike with friends to the top of Mount Tallac.


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It’s All Part of the Experience

My pre-trail thoughts of a nice morning cup of coffee, relaxing lunchtime break, and kicking back at the end of each day didn’t include this.

Heads up! There are a few photos in this post of my feet issues due to blisters on our thru-hike from last summer. If that stuff grosses you out, consider yourself warned!

In July and August of 2019, my husband Darren and I took on a thru-hike (a continuous journey end-to-end connecting our footsteps from start to finish in one trip) of the Tahoe Rim Trail (TRT), a loop trail that goes the entire way around Lake Tahoe. It’s somewhere between 165-185 miles long, depending on the GPS unit you’re using, summiting mountain passes, winding through stunning valleys and meadows, and giving you breathtaking views of the lake and it’s surrounding area. It is adventure at its greatest.

When we decided to do this over the previous winter, I dove right into preparation and planning. We hadn’t ever done anything like this before (13 days of continuous backpacking with multiple resupply points) and figuring out our gear and logistics turned into a part-time job over the months leading up to the hike. I also began to prepare physically, hiking multiple times during the week and increasing mileage and weight as we got closer to July. Darren works full time and has very little free time, but he also tried to hike a few times before our departure. Almost every conversation and decision last spring had something to do with the TRT.

This is what a small part of the planning looked like for an endeavor like this- 13 days of food for 2 people.

When we hit the trail, I felt prepared, excited, and so ready. The planning was so extensive that the first few miles of trail felt surreal. We were DOING what we’d spent so long preparing for. All the hard work was being put Into action with each step we took down the trail. The first few days flew by. My body felt amazingly strong; of course I was sore and tired at the end of each day but not enough to distract from what we were doing out there. It was incredible. 

Feeling ready to take on the upcoming 18- mile day on day 2.

Enter day 4…our first resupply, the replenishing of our food and swapping out some gear. It was a fun morning, meeting our good friends in a beautiful spot on the trail, getting spoiled by them making us coffee and bringing us actual chairs to relax in for a few hours, then getting accompanied by them and their family hiking with us for a few miles of the next leg of the trail. Almost immediately after our goodbyes to them, we began a long, hot, rocky climb into the Desolation Wilderness. The excitement of the morning began to fade, and, suddenly, I could feel my feet, hot and sore, inside my trail running shoes. I thew some preventative blister care tape on them and attempted to ignore them, attributing their issues to this technical part of the trail and its softball-sized, sharp rocks. As the day went on and we entered into one of the most visually beautiful sections of the trail, my feet got worse and worse. I thought jumping into one of the lakes would make the pain all go away and, while it felt amazing, they were still screaming at me with each step. It took every ounce of will to hike the final mile of that 16-mile day.

Heading into the beautiful Desolation Wilderness and the beginning of the most difficult part of the journey for me.

Peeling off my socks at our camp that night, I discovered the beginning stages of several blisters on both feet, the worst being on the bottom of each foot. I was very angry, and, laying in my tent that night, I did some serious self-inquiry. How could this be happening? I prepared for this. I went into the trail with 300+ miles of hiking under my feet. These weren’t new shoes and they had never given me trouble before! Why were my feet failing me? WHY?!

I recall feeling very angry taking this photo.

And then it hit me- this wasn’t something I was doing to check off my list and just get through so I could say I did it. This was something to experience: every mile, every mosquito bite, every view, and yes, every single blister. I decided to turn my frustration into a mantra: It’s All Part of the Experience. I can’t tell you how many times I said that to myself and to Darren over the following days and miles. I knew that I had to accept what was happening as just another part of the adventure we were on. Was it ideal? Heck no! But it was happening, I couldn’t stop it, and I certainly was going to keep moving forward as long as I could. 9 blisters between both feet, 75ish miles of a very awkward gait walking on the outside of both feet (thank GOD for trekking poles!), a meltdown after one of the worst blisters popped while walking through a beautiful meadow, and a lot of time getting good at applying moleskin and tape (thank God even MORE for my ultra-prepared and patient husband who rocked the whole trail and only got one blister!), my feet finally gave me some relief. Either that or I became numb to the pain (or perhaps learned whatever lesson was attached to this!).

Fully surrendering to the trail and my expectations after my big on-the-trail meltdown.

It was truly all part of the experience. It was the biggest challenge of our thru-hike for me personally, but it gave me the opportunity to let go of the expectations I had about the trail and push through adversity, growing along the way. It was a chance to put my mental toughness and grit to the test, and it also showed me I had the ability to surrender my own ideas and live in the reality of the present. 

In the middle of our longest day (19.5 miles) on trail we ran into a few women who were blown away by what we were doing and wanted to take our picture. I’m smiling here, even though I was in an immense amount of discomfort. Now it’s one of my favorite photos of the trail.

Isn’t life just like that? We plan, prepare, expect…and then a curveball is thrown our way. We can react with anger, frustration, and bitterness (ALL of which are completely human, by the way) or we can recognize that it might just be an opportunity to strengthen our “let go and trust” muscle and learn something about ourselves along the way. This is generally something we cannot learn by reading about it or hearing someone else’s story. It must be experienced firsthand, no matter how painful it is. 

Earned through experience.

Looking back, I can honestly say that I am thankful for those blisters. Say what? I mean, yes, of course I wish that every step didn’t feel like fire for those miles of the trail, but I also know I’m stubborn and that most of my biggest life lessons have been accompanied by some challenge, pain, and adversity. So for that, I am grateful, because after all, it’s ALL part of the experience. 

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Addressing Fear

Fear can tower over us and dominate if we aren’t mindfully addressing it.

Fear and anxiety can cripple. My mind can turn a small, nagging worry into a giant monster. Circumstances are often uncontrollable, but I’ve spend hours, days, months, even years being consumed with anxiety over things beyond my control. I attended a women’s adventure retreat several years ago and was blown away by how much we all discussed anxiety. This isn’t new, isn’t rare, and I’m not alone.

Today I journaled about fear. Getting my fears and worries into words often removes some of the power they hold over me. This morning it was about my family, specifically my step kids. I chose to write down as many “what ifs” that I could think of specifically related to my worries. You might think this could induce a full state of panic but it didn’t. It was actually calming to get it all out on paper. It gave me a chance to see them written out, realize what was and what wasn’t even possible, what was and what wasn’t within my control, and then to let go of some of the possibilities I’d been churning over and over inside my brain for the better part of the last few days. 

I then wrote about the truths I know. There are just some things that I KNOW are true because God says they are and I trust Him and the abilities and qualities and traits He has given me. I also trust and believe that He is who He says He is. I wrote down all the things I know to be true that pertained to my fears. This helped me. It didn’t eliminate the fear and anxiety, but it changed it into something that might not even be mine to worry about. I changed my perspective from one that was narrow and focused on little details into something that looked at the bigger picture, focusing instead on being grateful for what I have instead of wishing things were different.

Finding something or someone you believe to be trustworthy and letting that something or someone speak into your life can help change the way you look at things in the best way. It also shows you that you aren’t alone, which is a huge gift in a world that is slowly isolating itself behind tiny screens and profiles and highlight reels of photos. 

I worry a lot about a lot. It can easily consume me. Whether it’s not feeling adequate, overthinking the future (which hasn’t even happened yet!), unhappiness with my body (I’m too ______ or I wish I was more like ____ ), step momming (am I doing it “right”?…whatever that means), money (will I have enough for the future?…which again hasn’t even happened and isn’t a guarantee; am I spending it right? how can I get more?), relationships with friends and family…the list can go on and on and on…worrying about them adds nothing to my life. In fact it steals the joy out of each of those minutes, days, months, and years. Ain’t nobody gonna steal the joy in my heart!

So I write. I acknowledge fear’s existence. I let go. I pray. I move forward, knowing that I can either give life to the fear that arises or I can give it up, knowing that in doing so I’ll find peace. And peace brings me into the present, which is where I want to live. 

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What are you going to DO?

Ecuador, 2018 just after resigning from my long-time government job. © Photo by @thisgirlhasflown

When you decide to make a job change, the first question that 99% (that’s an official polled number) of people ask is “so…what are you going to do?” This is the majority first response I’ve gotten both times I’ve decided to make a job change in my adult life, so you would think I would be used to it by now. Heck, I’m sure I’ve even asked it a time or two when people have told me they were making a job change in their own life.

The fact that a question is the initial response isn’t a bad thing; questions seek additional understanding about something or someone. When you have a response that is deemed socially acceptable, i.e., something lined up to hop into the Monday after the Friday you leave your previous gig, then said person generally seems satisfied and even approving of your response. If you don’t have anything lined up…purposefully…you’re generally left trying to spin your words into something that doesn’t sound all Millennial-ish (think, “I’m leaving to pursue my passion!” or “I just want to work less and get paid more for what I do”…ick). It can be a little stressful to navigate how to have an answer when your answer is answerless, or difficult to sum up in a short conversation.

My last day of work at the Forest Service after 17 years in wildland fire.

Having been in both places, leaving a job with a definite plan and leaving a job with a plan to take a break (no plan at all quite yet), telling people about my decision was something I thought about a lot. Ok, let’s be honest, maybe way too much. As a lifelong people pleaser, having the right thing to say in every situation, especially when it comes to employment/paychecks/what I’m DOing has been important to me. I’m working on changing that. 

When did “what we do” become “who we are”? When you meet a new person, one of the initial icebreaking, get to know you questions is often “what do YOU do?” When I began coaching CrossFit after resigning from my Forest Service job, I realized that yes, coaching was my primary job but a close second was getting to know the people in my classes. This was one of my leading questions, but from past experience, knew just asking, “what do you do?” could put a lot of unintentional pressure on the individual being asked. I started adding -for work- or -for fun- or -with your days- to the end of this question to leave it a little more open for response. I felt better and I’m sure a few others did as well.

Back when I “was a firefighter”.

We so closely associate what we do for work to our personal identity. “I’m a firefighter/doctor/lawyer/CrossFit coach” puts you in a category: one that others can identify with. When your answer is vague or not mainstream or simply “I’m between jobs at the moment”, we fear judgement or maybe we even are the ones judging someone whose answer falls into that vein. Most people spend a lot of their time AT work, or thinking about work, or working when they’re supposed to be off, so it’s understandable that we identify ourselves with what we do. But we’re more than that, aren’t we? In my opinion, yes, we are.

Right now I’m at a place in my life where I have the ability to take some time to think about what it is I’m going to do next. I’m excited about this; I’ve never really given myself a chance to just stop and…think. Dream. Create. Be. By default and opportunity, I’ve had some amazing experiences with the jobs I’ve had thus far. I look at this time as just another page in the book, or another leg of the trail. This one is one that allows me to be available instead of overscheduled and present instead of busy, and let me tell ya, amazing things come from being both available and present at the same time.

Am I trying to figure out my next move? Constantly. However, I’m working on not letting a title or a paycheck or socially acceptable answer define me. Who I am is and has always been very different than what I do for work.

Jumping into my next adventure.

So what am I going to do? You’re looking at it.