– The Finish –
North Lake Tahoe
|
Walk Across California – The Finish – North Lake Tahoe |
August 11, 2014
This writeup is primarily for the benefit of the WACers — an elite group
of eleven hardy souls who are about to complete a two-year, 400-mile
trek from Waddell Beach in Big Basin Redwoods State Park to the Nevada state line at
Crystal Bay. The participants in the Walk Across California are members of the
Orinda Hiking Club, and hail from various Bay Area locations, Chico, and Sacramento.
Getting started
Besides the WACers and myself, three others are along for the walk today; several more will be waiting at the finish line with shuttle cars and celebration materials. Mary, originator and coordinator of the WAC, has researched a route that will enable us to spend as little time as possible on roadways and in public places. Some marching on asphalt will be unavoidable, because the walk's terminus is a rather special location.
Potty break at North Tahoe Regional Park
Hmm. There is a frisbee golf course here. I must drop by again sometime, after my throwing wrist has fully recovered.
I didn't know about this nice bike trail
Detouring through a residential area
Finally, we must leave the forest and deal with 'civilization.' As per
Mary's plan, we 'stairstep' through the back streets of Kings Beach so as to avoid
the congested main drag. Finally, though, we are compelled to trek over to
Brockway on the shoulder of Highway-28, because the only side street is
gated and inaccessible.
The beautiful Kings Beach Crosswalk
It is about a third of a mile to the top of the hill, where we finally are
able to leave the highway. Another quarter-mile jaunt down a
residential street gets us to a little public beach nestled among the giant
cabins. Without advance knowledge, one never would know that this place
even existed. I have visited here several times over the decades,
but today I find it packed with people for the first time.
The support staff is happy to see us appear, for our group has arrived nearly an hour behind schedule.
Mary and the group ham it up at the entrance to the beach
⇔
All of the subjects are looking at the other photographer, but I am accustomed to that.
It is quite crowded here today
Immediately to the left is a long pier labeled "Private. Keep Off". Apparently unbeknownst to most visitors, however, is that the beach beyond the pier is usable over as far as the state line. There is plenty of room to duck underneath the elevated walkway, so we do that. Hardly anyone is over here, so we choose a convenient spot to dump all the gear that had been waiting in the support vehicles. I finally can put down this cumbersome tray containing a dozen champagne glasses.
Bottles are opened, and everyone joins in a heartfelt toast.
Champagne celebration
Suppressing the tears
It is time for the thrilling finale. Those who feel the need for water
shoes put them on, and everyone ignores the "No Trespassing" signs in order to
complete the mission — all at the same time.
The Finish Line! ⇔
Almost as if on cue, the sky begins to open, putting an end to any thoughts
of having lunch on the beach. I get a chance to test my brand-new
poncho, while the others get soaked. Most cower under the forbidden pier
for a time, then make a dash for one of the cars. Some of us shuttle back
to the trailhead to retrieve vehicles; but everyone eventually winds up at a
rented cabin in Carnelian Bay, where is it time to party.
The WACers and their new 'surprise' T-shirts
A great homemade dinner ensues in the wake of a mild hailstorm, followed by a
birthday celebration for one of the group. A couple more photos apply a
finishing touch to this never-to-be-duplicated event. Then I head
for home.
Thanks, WACers, for letting me be a part of this.
What will they do next?
| Scenery |  |
| Difficulty |  |
| Personality |  |
| Solitude | |
⇔
