Ellis Peak and Lake Tahoe

21st September 2008

Where else ? Home for several recreational activities, in summer and in winter, the second deepest in United States, known for its clear water, surrounded by the Sierras, and so on and on … and it is Tahoe … :):):)…

My desire to hike Meeks Bay trail was fulfilled yesterday and so it was Hina’s turn to fulfill her desire to climb Ellis Peak (8640ft) for the sweeping views of the spectacular Lake Tahoe. My knees and heels were so sore but, the thought of fantastic blue lake made me to go for it. It was 6 miles round trip hike with 1,800ft elevation gain and 400ft elevation drop. Initially the statistics looked very easy for me … why not ? An year ago I could run up this peak effortlessly ...

Ellis Peak is located at the west shore of the Lake Tahoe (Map). If you are driving from South Lake Tahoe on Hwy-89, take a left on Blackwood Canyon road to Barker Pass. The trailhead starts at the end of Blackwood Canyon road. There is a spacious dirt parking lot. The trail is well traveled and maintained. And also, you will meet a lot of dogs and dog owners ...

First mile was a steady climb with few steep sections under the shade of the trees … with dog walkers passing … and the dogs sniffing on me and one of them liked me so much that it licked my nose and cheeks … he looked like a wolf … big … hairy … almost white … brutal yellow eyes etc … but very gentle and friendly at heart :) Another one was like Scooby Doo (Great Dane) … she was as tall as me when she stood on her hind legs to sniff my face … okay enough of dog stories … Once I was on the ridge the sweeping views of Desolation Wilderness and Granite Chief Wilderness opened up … The Hellhole reservoir was visible at a distance … and I thought I already reached the peak … you know when you are in pain you will believe anything :)

All the way on the ridge I saw the remnants of wildflowers as a symbol of faded glory ... withered, dry ... still they looked beautiful ...

And there was a motorcycle rider ... was resting on the false summit ...

Second mile is a bit flat initially and then climbs down … gradually and then steep down into the forest … I wondered where is the peak ??? And then last mile is all uphill to the peak … By the time I reached the craggy peak my knees were hurting … it was excruciating pain.

From the peak I could see the Ellis Lake ... a small pond like ... green lake ...

After witnessing the spectacular view of the Lake Tahoe I felt speechless … it was all worth it … I didn’t have my wide-angle lens or my Cannon 30D with me for this hike … and my tiny point-and-shoot Sony DSC-N1 wouldn’t make any justice to the magnificent view there … But still managed a panorama with a bit of crappy stitching …

I seem to forget my injured ankle and the weight recently I have gained … it was difficult when my knees got stiff again … I saw our hiking partner Jan, may be 30 years older than me, was walking effortlessly … life felt miserable on the way back … And after finishing this spectacular hike I decided I will take a break from hard hiking this year until my ankle and knees heal ...