Tahoe Pics

[stjunkie]

Finally pulled all the pics out of my camera from our Tahoe trip two weeks ago and thought I'd share a few. Short ride report: Wake, eat, ride, drink beer, eat, drink more beer, play on the backyard “features”, drink more beer, sleep. Repeat for six days. Then rode Mammoth for the last two days.

[sheclimbs]

At last a few pics to go with my words ...

Just wanted to put out a big thanks to Dean for once again taking the initiative and putting together the Tahoe Trip. I think it’s pretty safe to say a great time had by all!
Week one Dean and I (mostly Dean) scouted out the local secrets and favorites on the south side of the lake. Having done this annual Tahoe trip for several years now, STJunkie and I have covered most of the major TRT rides and a few others including the much loved Hole in the Ground. Turns out there was a lot more new dirt to be had.
Day one I suggested Dean and I start out with one of my favorites, Meiss Meadows, and Dardnelle lake on the TRT. As always it’s was truly beautiful with some challenging climbs and fun descents along the way. The bonus on this ride was the Christmas Valley Trail. We met a local up at the lake who had just ridden up the trail, I read Jfish’s report and was intrigued by Christmas Valley. Scott and I had seen the trail marker in years past but never got to it. Here was our chance, no climb out and a very, very long ride down.
I think is was one of my favorite new finds this year. A long semi-technical singletrack descent that winds through lots of granite, some forest and even an old burn zone. It seemed to go on forever.
Having been the only person on week one that had actually ridden the Tahoe Trails it was great fun to be there with Dean, CC and later in the week Raul to experience the best of the best with them for their first time.
We hit a lot of our standard favorites, including the Flume/Marlette Lake and “the Bench” ride – the TRT from Spooner Lake to Kingsbury grade.
The final day of week one we sent CC and Raul off with one more pass at the Corral Loop. A tight little single track with some “features” for the mighty and brave – everyone but me – I prefer to keep my rubber side attached to the dirt!
After their send off I took a rest break as I knew the big guns were arriving and I needed to save my legs. Dean the mighty continued his exploration and scouted the best route up to Toad’s. I think Dean either pre-road everything or did almost every ride twice over the course of the two weeks. Dean, Dean your truly are a riding machine!
The big boys arrived on Saturday night – STJunkie, Good ol’ Slappy and Ladd Jasper.
Sunday morning we were ready to roll. I was really looking forward to showing the boys Christmas Valley as I knew they would love it. Needless to say once again Meiss, Dardnelle Lake and Christmas Valley did not disappoint. The awesome threesome managed to find plenty of seemingly impossible rock faces and chutes to climb as they would do on each and every ride.
We finally hit Toad’s. Deans route up Armstrong pass was long, sandy and challenging, but the payoff was worth it. I didn’t actually get to see Scott, Nick and Dell descend the double diamond section of Toad’s, and I’m still not sure how anyone could actually ride that, but of course they did. I was very pleasantly surprised that I had a blast on the single black diamond portion and got to enjoy the benefits of my extra travel on the spot. I had been living in fear of Toad’s for years, finally made it there and loved it.
Each night the boys set up a new feature in our back yard bike park. Log rides, ladders, and drops. Never a dull moment at the log cabin.
We hit up the standards again in week two. On Wednesday while Nick and Dell went to play at Northstar on the big bikes, Dean and Scott and I hit up the TRT to Watson Lake. Yet another pretty section of the TRT with beautiful views of the lake.
Thursday was a premier ride, Hole in the Ground. This is a trail that always lives up to your expectations.
Of course we had to finish up with something special, all week long Dean had been rallying for a ride up to Star Lake. Star Lake is at almost 10K feet so any way you do it it’s going to be a major climb. Wisely Dean bated everyone with the rumor of a local’s favorite single track descent back to the truck.
First off, the climb was killer hard, the Lake was spectacular, and the single track was pretty much a unanimous decision the best of the trip. Long flowing single track along side the creek surronded by aspens. Hard to beat!
A fabulous way to finish up our Tahoe Adventure.

[Schecky]

Great pics
The token handlebar shot is great!

[El Salt]

I am NO WAY as gnar as most of ya, but the ladder stunt! Sheesh!

Beautiful shots. Tahoe is one of the very few places in CA I have not ridden.

Thanks for sharing!

[LBmtb]

Nice! First inverted handlebar shot That staircase looking section looks like a lot of fun. Thanks for the pics, scott!

[Burner]

more salt on my wounds, thanks!

j/k, I won't miss it next time.

[Dino Brown]

Nice pics. I am officially jealous!

[JoeTruth]

[SIZE=3]Wait a minute, is that Silent Bob in some them photo's? He's been wearing the same old smelly jersey's and riding that E-beer can for years now. What's wrong with that guy???

Nice photo's, BTW. Is that stair step @ Toad's?


[/SIZE]

[CC]

Oh man it brings back so many wonderful memories. Wow my heart is beating a little faster right now, because I'm so excited seeing those trails again. I fell in love in Tahoe! If it's a long summer I would be up for going again. Any takers??

Thanks Scott/Lynn for sharing

[dstepper]

Thanks for the pics Scott...about time. Thanks Lynn for the kind words.

The stairstep is on the Tahoe Rim Trail between Armstrong Pass and Saxon Creek (AKA Toads).

I still have not stopped thinking about my time in Tahoe and I am blessed to have good friends to share it with. I am convinced that given some more time with the locals I can find the real goods in South Shore. We did not do the Tahoe Punisher that will need to wait until next time. I think I convinced the troops that there are easier ways to get into the Star Lake area, although climbing High Meadows Road and Star Lake Trail was rewarding. My favorite Trails Armstrong Pass Trail and High Meadows Trail...I am a big fan of the trail less traveled club.

I will do this again next year.

[allison]

Originally Posted by stjunkie

Okay, I'll bite. Nice handlebar shot, but what's your secret???

[sheclimbs]

Originally Posted by allison

Okay, I'll bite. Nice handlebar shot, but what's your secret???

slim, you got her!

[dstepper]

Allison have you been watching "John from Cincinnati" this episode was "Scott from Tahoe".

[allison]

Originally Posted by dstepper

Allison have you been watching "John from Cincinnati" this episode was "Scott from Tahoe".

d00d's... it's not nice to mess with me when I've had the work week from hell!

S'okay... I've got the flask loaded up and we're OUTTA HERE in a few short hours. Not short enough. I should be working, but I needed a mental break after this morning.

[stjunkie]

Thanks for all of the replies.

Joe:yes that is Silent Bob(Good Ol Slappy on STR) He did get a new jersey for this trip.

Allison:Of course I was thinking of you when I thought up the pic. Picture the bike upside down with the seat on my head. Holding on to the left bar and taking a pic with the other hand. NOT...I'm not that telented. It took three days of riding to find the right tree.

[allison]

Originally Posted by stjunkie

Allison:Of course I was thinking of you when I thought up the pic. Picture the bike upside down with the seat on my head. Holding on to the left bar and taking a pic with the other hand. NOT...I'm not that telented. It took three days of riding to find the right tree.

Scott, that's AWESOME! Way to think up a new way to post an old picture. Very cool!!

[Good_ol'_slappy]

Scott - well done on the pictures man! The Star Lake climb just got fresher in my memory...what a burner.

edit: Did the Mammoth Flow drop video turn up?

[Pain Freak]

I didn't get to make the trip this year, but I'm still comparing everything I ride today to what I rode there last year. Man, I love that place. I'm constantly going back and looking at the pix.
This is a place everyone should ride at least once, it's beauty is unlike any other place I've been. Kind of like the northwest, but different.To bad the summers are so short there.

Thanks for the pix,Slim.

When we hitting UT?

[Good_ol'_slappy]

Originally Posted by JoeTruth

[SIZE=3]Is that stair step @ Toad's?[/SIZE]

Here is one from the upper section of Toads from the trip.