Aaron and I have been wanting to do a backpacking trip for awhile. Our original plan was to go in Big Sur, California back in March, but due to wild fires the trails we were going to do were closed. For Aaron's birthday he said, "I want to go backpacking!". So I got out my AllTrails app and found Whisky Creek Camp. Whisky Creek Camp is in the Tahoe National Forest and is about 8 miles round trip. I figured, this would be a good first trip for us since 30lb - 40lb on our backs is something we are not used to hiking with!
We got to the trailhead around 1pm and headed up!
The beginning of this hike is by far the hardest part. It is very steep at first and then evens out after 2 miles. We took plenty of breaks to catch our breath since the altitude and the packs were giving us a run for our money!
Then you arrive to the first lake! During this hike you really only get to see 3 lakes, but they're all beautiful! We also took off our packs at the first lake and WOW. What a difference it was not to have the packs on for a few minutes.
After that we hiked to the next 2 lakes!
After this is when you hike to Whisky Creek Camp. As you are hiking, you hike on part of the PCT! For those who don't know what that is, it is the Pacific Crest Trail that goes from the very bottom of California to British Columbia. It is the Appalachian Trail of the west! So now, Aaron and I can say we have hiked on both the PCT and AT!
The flowers were blooming and it was beautiful!
Once you get to the Whisky Creek Camp sign it is about a half mile to the camp. The creek wasn't difficult to cross at all and provided us with great filtered water. This is called Whisky Creek Camp because of the small cabins from the Basque sheepherder days.
Then we set up camp and walked around to see what was around us.
Next was dinner time! We packed some frozen - dehydrated meals. If you saw our post from Big Sur or Death Valley NP, you know that we have been trying them. Honestly, they're pretty good. Along with the ice cream bar!
We went to bed once the sun went down and the mosquitos were getting worse too. The next morning we woke up to something moving outside our tent. We peaked out to find a few deer and we scared them more than they scared us! After that, Aaron started making our breakfast while I got some more filtered water.
This food was actually delicious! The oatmeal of course was good, but the breakfast skillet was really good! I know they do not look very appetizing at first, but they really come out good. Then we started our hike back.
While on our way, we ran into a thru PCT hiker! He is hiking 28 miles a day because he needs to be done by a certain date. He didn't even travel with a tent, just a sleeping bag. HOW WILD! The people who thru hike the PCT and AT are just, amazing. I think it is so awesome!
We continued to the closest lake to sit and relax a little before heading back down. We wanted to go swimming, but the weather was starting to turn for the worst.
We headed back down and took in the views!
Then we decided to get a real meal! Jake's On The Lake in Tahoe City was on our list of places to check out. How can you go wrong with a place to eat on Lake Tahoe? Everything was delicious, especially Aaron's wagyu burger!
After that we headed home and took a 3 hour nap... not intentionally, but I guess we needed it. Backpacking was so much fun! We couldn't wait to go again.
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