Friday Activities

Location:
The Tahoe Rim Trail from Tahoe Meadows to Tunnel Creek. This is about a 12 mile ride at up to 9000 feet, so keep this in mind when judging your ability to ride the distance. There is not a lot of climbing on the ride, with the main uphill section in the first mile or so. This is probably less than 500 feet, so anyone can walk it if they can't ride it.

This ride is surrounded by beautiful scenery, so we are not suggesting a different trail as an alternate ride. People wanting a shorter ride can go in the first few miles, then turn around when they feel it's time. We will stop and group up, so there will be appropriate places to do this. I would like to keep a count of riders on the trail as well, so we want to know who turns around.

You will see spectacular views, not only of Lake Tahoe (like on the famous Flume Trail), but of the Washoe Valley on the Nevada side. The trail is littered with rock gardens and technical challenges along the way, but is not very technical in itself. The fast riders will not be bored waiting for the main group because there is plenty to play on. Photo opportunities galore.

Start time:
9:00 at the Ponderosa Ranch, before caravaning up to the trailhead.

Be prepared:
You will be riding in a wilderness area, with no water and no services. Put on some sunscreen. The high altitude makes it easier to burn. Bring your pads, helmet, and tools. Nothing like being stuck out there without that little 5/16" allen wrench your frame's maker decided to make you carry. If you break things a lot, bring some tape. It may be chilly in the morning, but should warm up real nice. When we rode the trail on Sept. 4, 2004 we were fine with T-shirts. But at MUni Weekend 2004 it was a little more chilly. Be prepared.

Getting there:
See this page for directions.

Ride specs:
Distance - About 12.5 miles
Climbing - Only about 500'!
Descent - Roughly 2800', mostly in the last 3 miles
Difficulty level - Mostly not technical, with some technical sections. Lots of fun rocks to play on along the way though. I will use my 29er on this ride.
Trail composition - 75% singletrack, from narrow to wide. Tunnel Creek Road is a sandy dirt road A little bit of pavement at the end, near Ponderosa Ranch.
Poison oak? - I think the whole trail is too high for it to grow. Bears and rattlesnakes are possible, but sightings are rare.

Lunch:
Bring it. You are on your own up there! We will stop somewhere near some big rocks where we can watch people hop around while eating.

End of the trail:
The ride finishes with several miles of downhill along Tunnel Creek Road (a sandy jeep road). This is the same exit as the Flume Trail for those of you that have ridden that one. This is nearly of 3000' of downhill riding in a relatively short distance, so use brakes if you got 'em.

NOTE: The Ponderosa Ranch is no longer open to the public. I never made it there myself, so I guess I'm partly to blame. The lot is likely closed off, so cars will park along the road, preferably near the south end of the parking lot.