TRT Mile 14 to 31

During the night, motorcycles rip through our camp, as if in a rally. Between the car camping noise and the stagnant repulsive water, Watson Lake will not be a contender in our top 40 count down.

We wake, make Via coffee from stinky water, down Pop-Tarts, and head for the spring about a mile away. We dump our garbage water, and filter 16 fresh liters. We will each carry three, and camel up by downing a fourth. It is quite an assembly line production, and takes what seems like an hour, but we are quite pleased when done. This should last us the 17 plus miles.

Today is a lot of up. We are now seeing more trail runners than mountain bikers. What we are not seeing are postcard perfect views of the lake. The smoke and haze have washed away the horizon. To see the lake we would need to return to Tahoe City, wade out knee deep, and then stare straight down. Even then we are not sure we could make it out.

Trail magic

Along this waterless stretch we encounter a few caches of trail magic. They are mostly plastic jugs of water, but a few include other treats like cashews. We have plenty of water, so do not partake.

Mud Lake is off the trail, and significantly down. While I search for what should be a trail, Brian gives up and scrambles straight down. The others, like idiots, follow me. By the time I find a reasonable route down, Brian is already stretched out on a mat by the shore. The shore itself is alive with orange and black butterflies, sitting casually flexing their wings. The wing fanning of the masses appears to be for lounging Prince Brian’s benefit.

Mud Lake

Ironically, Mud Lake’s water is far superior to Watson’s. We filter and fill our bottles yet again. Dinner is various Pasta Sides with tuna.

Tomorrow will offer our longest miles – 24. There are camping restrictions in the area, so our options are few. We will be getting up very early to pull it off. We are sleeping with our headlamps at the ready.