Copyright ©2019 Deborah M. Zajac. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Saturday He-Man and I went hiking along the Tahoe Rim Trail. We heard the views were amazing, and I want to get back in shape and explore our new area. Since I feel out of shape and easily winded at this altitude still we opted for a 3 mile out hike and back.
We quickly discovered that Spring has sprung in the mountains at 7000 and 8000ft elevation. I was so excited!
Here are just a few of the flowers we saw.
Nuttall’s Larkspur with Bumble Bee. We took a side trip up the Vista Trail to the top of a ridge and found a view of Carson Valley and these wildflowers busy with Bumble Bees.
Mule’s Ear was blooming all over the place and it was perfect blooming time!
Coast Paint Brush? I’m not positive this is what it is, but it looks like it.
There were thousands of Butterflies along the trail. I thought at first they were Painted Lady’s which I had heard were migrating through and there were thousands being reported but looking at them and my images confirmed that’s not what they were. It’s new to me called a California Tortoiseshell ( Nymphalis Californica). There was also White cabbage and Sara Orange Tips I believe but, those little guys were already warmed up and flying all over the place rarely landing and when they did they alighted almost as soon as they touched down.
We had a glimpse of Lake Tahoe about 2 miles into the hike. It was a great place to catch my breath too.
I have more images of flowers I need to identify, and two birds too.
There is a gorgeous view we’re told 5 miles in, so we’re going to work up to that. The Tahoe Rim Trail is 165 miles long going around Lake Tahoe. I’m hoping to do bits and bobs of it here and there, but I don’t think I’ll ever do the whole thing.
Our stats for the hike were:
6.5 miles total distance, 1000 ft elevation gain, and 3H:56 minutes…due to me stopping to smell the roses, watch butterflies, gaze at the views, and stopping to catch my breath.
It was a great hike! I hope I can get back up there before the butterflies flee, and the Lupine is in bloom.
I hope you’re all having a great week, and good Wednesday!
Panasonic Lumix FZ200| Lexar Digital Film| PS CC 2019
more to come…
Great post and pics!
Thank you so much!
Welcome!
Hi Deborah, Altitude can definitely made a big difference when breathing and hiking. It is always nice when we are rewarded on a hike with the beauty around us. Great on identifying most of the flowers. The butterfly photo is exquisite! Lake Tahoe is stunning and it sounds like lots of exploring ahead. I just read your camera’s stats, exact same camera as my husband. Mine is Panasonic Lumix ZS70 where I can hold it in one hand and a grandchild in the other. Thankful to be on this planet:)
Thank you so much, Erica!
I hope your husband has a better handle on this FZ200 than I do. I like it on the wide end, but not so much on the long end which is why I bought it.
I’m thankful to be here too! xx
Beautiful finds! Our flora is very similar here. We have Mule’s Ears on our property and they were big and abundant this year after record snow. It’s still not clear to get up in the high country so wildflowers there will be delayed.
Oooh, I’m looking forward to your Spring thaw in the high country and see what flowers you find. A friend in Utah just spent the week at her property in the high country there and reports that there’s still plenty of snow, but she did find two new to her wildflowers and ask me if I could help ID them. They were new to me! A lovely Fawn Lily, and one I think is a Western Pasque Flower. I sure you get up there for your terrific eye for landscapes, and wildflowers too.
Beautiful series of sights! Looking forward to more of this trail through your lens, Deborah!
Thank you so much, Donna!
just beautiful – we’ve been “walking” not hiking since my SO’s knees have healed. Getting out in nature really has helped lift my spirits!
I bet it has!! Just keep on walking then. 😀
That sounds like a beautiful hike, love seeing your shots from these outings 🙂
Wow! What a glorious location. Thanks for the beautiful photos. The view across the lake is stunning. A few more hikes and you’ll be back to your old self. Best to you, Deborah.
Thank you so much, Jennie! I sure hope so.
You are welcome, Deborah! 🙂
Wonderful. What a great adventure! I don’t know may of your flowers, plants, birds — I’d want someone knowledgeable to join me 🙂
It’s always fun and good to have experts with you. Of course if I have to do the research and dig around to Identify a bird or plant then it’s more likely the info will stick. 😊 Otherwise this old brain can be like a sieve!
I can see that. When I was in my early 20s my mother gave me this huge series of nature books, and I was so happy to find names for all the ‘weeds’ I find pretty 🙂
That would have been a treasure trove to me! I treasure my bird, flower, and nature books.
It really is — I still have them and I still use them!
Horsefeathers, Deborah. That seems like a huge hike at that altitude. The wild flowers are gorgeous. Thanks for sharing them with us. And what a view! Hugs on the wing!
It looks like a wonderful hike Deborah! And one should always stop to smell the roses, watch butterflies, and gaze at the views. The enjoyment of the journey definitely makes it worth it. I love all your captures. 🙂
Thank you so much, Amy! This hike was definitely about the journey.
Super shots and a lovely view!
Thanks so much, Brian! I’m hoping it won’t be long until I can get to the point that I can do that 5 mile out hike. It’s 10 miles round trip. We’re thinking we’ll do 4 out next time and then go for the 5 miles after that.
Nice country surroundings! Time to buy a hyperbaric chamber so you can recover immediately and get out there everyday. 😉
There’s an idea! 😀 From one spot along the trail we could see two lakes and the mountains behind them. Spooner, and Lake Tahoe.
We need a re-do at Spooner!
Every hike should include smelling roses, watching butterflies, and gazing at views 🙂
I agree! I’ve been hikes that have a time frame so you have to move and merely sniff the roses. The end was always worth it though. I could take my time on the way back.
such a beautiful place to live and explore!!!
Thank you so much, Jodi! We’re loving it here.
Gorgeous view of the lake. Great pics. Maybe you’ll run into Larry and Andrew out there. Thanks, Deborah.
Thank you so much, John! I’m lost. Who are Larry and Andrew?
The detective and ME from my Wednesday Story Day
Oh! I’ll have to catch up! I’m way behind and a queue of blogs to read.
Naw don’t worry. You need to other stuff.
They are in South Lake Tahoe right now.
I think you’ve found your special spot in this beautiful country of ours, and it’s a beautiful one. 🙂
I think so too Judy! It is so pretty here.
I certainly wouldn’t worry about the time, Deborah if you’re stopping to look at these beautiful sights. I’m glad you’re getting your elevation legs. It looks like a wonderful place to hike. Is the trail accessible so you can start in different spots and do segments?
I’m glad I’m getting my elevation legs too. Yes, there are quite a few trailheads around the lake. I discovered looking at the map that I have already hiked on this trail a few years back starting at Sand Harbor so, I’ve got about 8 miles of it done. (●’◡’●)
Here is a link showing the trail and all the trail heads if you’re curious. Have you been to Lake Tahoe? You may have been on the trail too!
https://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=AwrgDA.MkxNdAC4A62tXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEycmkwaWk3BGNvbG8DZ3ExBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDQTA2MDdfMQRzZWMDc2M-?p=tahoe+rim+trail+map&fr=crmas#id=12&iurl=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.singletracks.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F07%2FTahoe-Rim-Trail.png&action=click
Looks like you have a nice selection of hikes to choose from. I’ve never been. It was a popular place to go when I lived in Seattle, bur we referred San Francisco.
I can see that. Yes, lots of places to start and explore.