Start time: 7am
We depart from the southwestern edge of Tahoe City, at the 64 Acres Tahoe Rim Trail TH
Estimated arrival time: 3pm
At waypoint U80280 we will take the boardwalk connector trail to Tahoe Meadows Ophir Creak Trailhead
The first half of this stage, spanning roughly 20 miles to the California 267 crossing, is relatively--in comparison to the preceeding stages and the afternoon--easy terrain, with the trail generally operating between 6500 and 7800 feet. From Tahoe City, the ADT completely follows the Tahoe Rim Trail, looping along the northside of the lake, skirting the edges of Painted Rock, Mt. Watson, Watson Lake, and Gold Star Peak.
The second half, meanwhile, is more strenuous, breaking 10,000 feet near the 34-mile mark, at the aptly-named Relay Peak, the highest point on the Tahoe Rim Trail. Along the way, the TRT brings relayers into Nevada, completing the first state, and passes Mount Baldy and Rose Knob Peak. The official route moves through the Mount Rose Wilderness--bicyclists are not allowed in that area, and will need to follow an ADT alternative route instead. (The bike alternate is simple, following CA 28 along the shore of the lake to Crystal Bay where you cross into Nevada. The road even keeps its number as NV 28. Take 431 to Ophir Creek TH, 431 is the Mount Rose Highway and a major road.)
A final descent will bring participants over Nevada 431, and then back to the highway a little further south at the Ophir Creek Trailhead.
Support: A support vehicle will only be accessible at a few points: Brockway Summit Trailhead (19.7 miles). Martis Peak (23.8 miles), and Mount Rose Summit (39.3 miles). Water will be available to top off bottles, along with all necessary participant gear. Thanks to our friends at the Tahoe Rim Trail Association, there will also be water caches left at Watson Lake (13.2 miles) and the Martis Peak Rd junction. Even better, the TRTA will have a hydration and snack station waiting for you at Brockway Summit (19.7 miles). However, you should be prepared with enough water/food to carry you through the first 13.2 miles, and then ready yourself for that strenuous 16-mile stretch in the second half. You will encounter no services on this stage.