Hello Friends,
On Saturday we finally got our act together and rallied for a nice hike. It was a little cool in the morning, but it warmed up quickly, although it never got hot. There was a light breeze to add comfort to the hike. Clear skies and fall colors popping up everywhere made this tour a real delight.
We parked just over the top of Barker Pass, in Blackwood Canyon, at the Pacific Crest Trail dirt parking area. Our hike allow us to view both far off to the west and out to the east as the trail climbed and wove on various side of the ridge line.
There’s beautiful views of Tahoe to one side and pleasant views of the Sierra Crest to the other, from open ridges to deep forests with craggy rocks rising on either side. We walked the Pacific Crest Trail to a junction with the Tahoe Rim Trail near Twin Peaks.
From this point we walked on the Tahoe Rim Trail. The trail begins a downhill trip until it reaches the valley floor in Ward Canyon. We did find water still running in a few areas. This is about an 11 mile hike and well worth it. A few photos I took are attached.
Enjoy Your Day,
Andy
Hi Andy,
This looks like a great hike – is it a loop, or will we need to drop a car? And can you describe the trailhead parking situation?
Thanks! Keri
It is not a loop hike, so yes, you would need to drop a car someplace in Ward Canyon. When you get to the top of Barker Pass on Blackwood Canyon Rd, there is a rough dirt parking lot on the left that is the trail head to Ellis Peak. There’s plenty of parking along the road at the pass.
Kerri,
Mark is correct regarding the dirt lot for the Ellis Peak trailhead. Do not park at that point continue on the dirt road for a quarter mile or so and you will find (on your right) a dirt parking area that is for the Pacific Crest Trail. Park in this area as this is were the trail (hike) begins.
Thanks! Looking forward to this.