Last summer I solo backpacked in the Lost Creek Wilderness in Colorado. I lost cell service for three days and I didn’t know it was coming. What started as a surprise became something I didn’t have a word for yet. For three days, I made decisions only for myself. I didn’t wait. I wasn’t reachable. I wasn’t managing anyone else’s needs alongside my own. I hadn’t had that in 21 years. It changed something in me.
So when it was time to plan something bigger, I knew I wanted to go solo. I considered the PCT, but I wanted to finish something: one complete trail, start to finish. Then I learned that the TRT and the PCT intersect for part of the route, and I started reading. I found a trail that was well-maintained, had real exit points, and felt both challenging and safe. I had never been to Tahoe. That felt right somehow. Somewhere new, all mine.
I’m taking the train out. Not flying. The ride is part of the plan. Time to unwind, to transition, to let the everyday life I’m stepping away from fall behind me at the right speed. Somewhere around mile one, I’ll stop being reachable. And I already know what that feels like.
Prep Checklist
Permits & Admin
- Desolation Wilderness permit Required for camping in Desolation Wilderness — apply at recreation.gov
- CA fire permit Free, required for stoves and fires in CA — apply at preventwildfireca.org
- Virtual TRT info session Hosted by the Tahoe Rim Trail Association — check tahoerimtrail.org for dates
- TRT membership Supports the trail and includes member resources — tahoerimtrail.org
- Amtrak ticket Book early — California Zephyr fills up
Gear to Replace
- Sleeping system
- Backpack
- Pad
- Water filter replacement
- Water bladder
Pre-Departure Prep
- Finalize food plan
- Hotel / Air B&B for August 12th
- Shopping list for August 12th
- Plan ride to trail for August 13th
- Turn on satellite messaging
- Final water details
Gear List
| Gear | Weight |
|---|---|
| Pack Hyperlite Southwest 55L | 1 lb 11 oz |
| Tent Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 | 2 lb 11 oz |
| Sleep system Zenbivy 10°F down quilt + sheet | 2 lb 2 oz |
| Sleeping pad Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated | 1 lb 3 oz |
| Sit pad Nemo Switchback Short | 9.6 oz |
| Bear canisters BearVault BV475 + BV425 | ~3 lb 14 oz |
| Water filter Katadyn Hiker Pro (new cartridge) | 11 oz |
| Water capacity 3L Hydrapak bladder + 3L Hydrapak Seeker | 5 oz |
| Power banks 2× Nitecore NB Plus 10,000mAh | 11 oz |
| Headlamp Petzl Actik Core 625 lumen | 2.9 oz |
| Camp shoes Chaco Z/1 Women's | ~7 oz |
| Watch Garmin Venu 3 | 1.8 oz |
| Book Rules of Civility — Amor Towles | 8 oz |
| Insoles Superfeet Green | in shoes |
| PF / first aid Leukotape P, KT tape, golf ball, silk liners | in kit |
| Base weight | ~22 lb 13 oz |