Saturday 7/13 was the perfect day to tackle Mt. Baldy in Lake Tahoe. With a strong group of hikers, we embarked on a 15-mile trek, gaining over 2,700 feet in elevation over approximately six hours. This summit marked my fourth in the quest to complete the Lake Tahoe 6 Peak Challenge.
Our group set off promptly at 7:30 am to take advantage of the cool morning weather. The trail began with a gradual climb up the Tahoe Rim Trail, leading us toward the summit of Baldy. The path was mostly well-marked, although we did have to backtrack slightly after missing a turn.
The weather was ideal, with a light breeze and clouds filtering out the sun. We encountered a few raindrops, but nothing significant. The trail was relatively quiet, with only a few mountain bikers and other hikers.
As we ascended, the views became increasingly breathtaking. We paused frequently to capture photos of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding forest. The flowers were in full bloom as we neared the summit, and the sun intermittently peeked out from behind the clouds.
About three-quarters of a mile from the summit, we reached a State Line marker indicating the divide between California and Nevada. This spot offered a fantastic photo opportunity, and we took another group picture here.
We reached the summit around 11:00 am, celebrating with victory photos and a well-deserved lunch. The views, although somewhat obscured by hazy air from smoke, were still impressive. We could see clouds building in the distance, hinting at the predicted dry lightning later in the afternoon. After spending about 30 minutes at the top, we began our descent.
Choosing a different route, we took an unnamed trail back to the Tahoe Rim Trail. This path offered new scenery and unique views, although it was less traveled and at times difficult to follow. Despite the challenges, we successfully navigated it.
Along the way, we discovered intriguing paw prints, likely from a bear that had taken the same path. I took a photo of the tracks, which has since been shared.
The last four miles of the hike were the warmest, and we felt the heat as we approached the trailhead. Despite our fatigue, the group remained in high spirits, proud of our accomplishment and the camaraderie that carried us through this great hike.
Thank you to everyone who joined me today from the Bay Area hikers to bag my 4th peak in the Lake Tahoe 6 Peak Challenge! I have posted all the pictures and videos here, along with a link to the AllTrails route we took. If you have any questions about my hikes, feel free to message me, and I'll share all my info. If you're interested in following my hikes, you can find me on my Facebook page, Jason’s Hiking Adventures, Bay Area Hikers, Instagram @jasonshikingadventures, Social Hiker, and AllTrails. Thanks for reading!
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