We reached the top of Oneidas Street in South Lake Tahoe, and the sky was beginning to clear and show slices of blue. From the Oneidas trailhead at 8,000 feet it is about seven miles and 2,800 feet of climbing to reach Freel Peak.

The trail crosses a creek and follows a drainage three miles to Armstrong Pass. With two inches of snow in the deep forest we walked through a little taste of winter with views of the bright yellow leaves of fall. At Armstrong Pass we met the Tahoe Rim Trail (TRT) and started the long steady uphill to Freel Pass.

Along the way we passed spectacular ancient Juniper trees and massive granite faces. To the west on the horizon, the Crystal Range sat brightly above Desolation Wilderness, shining with the faint new coat of snow. There were a few patches left from last year.



Near the pass only a few hearty tree species make it through the brutal winters. From the pass, where the TRT continues ahead to Star Lake, the last mile to Freel Peak is on a new trail constructed a few years back by the Forest Service. It's a steep journey of 1,100 feet in the mile, but it was such a glorious day the time flew by. While the new trail provides spectacular views of 10,633' Job's Peak, the trail gets a little too close to the cliff edge for a afraid-of-heights hiker. Care is required.

Eventually, I made it to the wide-open bowl near the top and looked back to see my hiking buddy disappearing into the clouds. He then reappeared as the clouds floated off to the south. With fresh snow on the treeless landscape and clouds blowing by below us, it felt like we were much higher than 10,000 feet.

Then, during a brief period of clearing skies, we reached the top (10,881 ft.) and a 360-degree view. It is quite dramatic. We could, of course, see the deep blue of Lake Tahoe, but the nearby Job's Peak and Job's Sister (second and fourth highest peaks at Tahoe) were even more impressive. To the southeast, Hope Valley and its blanket of yellow aspens stood out. That valley is a beauty.

The journey back down the mountain was a joy. Sure our feet were a bit sore, but the downhill allowed us time to linger and enjoy sights minus the huffing and puffing. We who live on the North Shore look at Freel Peak, sitting loftily behind Heavenly Valley, almost every day. While from a distance it seems to spring right up from the South Shore, when you hike the mountain you get a wonderful feeling of remoteness and solitude. While not a designated wilderness area, it certainly feels like it chould be.

To hike to the top of Freel Peak you can choose from three trailheads. From the Tahoe Rim Trail trailhead at the top of Kingsbury Grade the hike is about 11 miles. From the Armstrong Pass trailhead, which is accessed via 3.5 miles of challenging dirt roads, the top is about 5 miles. And from the Oneidas Trailhead, described above, you are a more leisurely 7 miles from the top.

For more information on the trail you can refer to my book, The Tahoe Rim Trail, A complete guide for hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians or go to my website: www.TimsTahoeAdventures.com. You can also contact the Tahoe Rim Trail Association at 775-298-0012 or at www.tahoerimtrail.org