Freel Peak
Jobs Sister

This was the hike that we had been working up to all summer. It was to the two highest peaks in the Tahoe area, both above 10,800 feet. Luckily, they are next to each other, separated by a mile long ridge between the two. As it turned out, it wasn't as difficult as we had anticipated, in fact it was a lot of fun with incredible vistas and a definite sense of accomplishment thrown in!

We chose to start at the approach to Armstrong Pass off of Forrest Road 51, a rutted, bumpy dirt road.

As we started our hike, we were met by some curious onlookers. The trail up to Armstrong Pass is well defined and fairly easy. This approach shaved 3 miles off of the more common trailhead at the end of Oneidas Street . At the top of Armstrong Pass, our trail intersects the Tahoe Rim Trail.

Travelling along the TRT, we gain some altitude, and the views begin to open up of Lake Tahoe and the peaks of the Crystal Range above the western shores.

Following the Tahoe Rim Trail, we continued to gain elevation up the side of Freel. The trail switched back as we climbed between our goal and a couple of 9,800' prominences which blocked our view of the lake.

Reaching the ridge at 9,700' we stopped for snacks and photos. This is the point where the trail to the peak leaves the TRT.

This is the point where the serious UP starts. Surprisingly, the trail is good and pretty easy to follow (contrary to other trail reports I've found). It even has 'stairs' on some of the steep parts!

Once you leave the trees behind, the trail gets a bit sandy but the views reward you. You just keep putting one foot in front of the other and remember to breath deeply.

Hooray! The foreboding challenge, which was proffered at the beginning of the year was met by everyone in the group! While toasted our achievement, ate lunch, and marveled at the 360° views, we rested and contemplated the second part of the challenge.

After a bit of mutual encouragement, 7 of us set off for the second highest peak in the Tahoe area - Job's Sister. The odd white patches on the flanks of the sister turned out to be broken bits of beautiful, pure milky quartz that we hadn't come across anywhere else.

After wandering our way to the top (there were so many different paths up that was like having none), we stopped for another rest, photo op, and view ogling.

After convincing those we left on Freel to return along the trail we took up, the 'Sister's Group' returned to the saddle and went over the edge. Not wanting to slog back up the side of Freel, we thought this a better alternative. As it turned out, it was great fun 'sand skiing' down the slope. You just have to watch out that you don't gain too much speed (which is easy to do) and misplace a foot. We arrived at the cars a bit before the others, but everyone had a great time and we all congratulated ourselves at our achievements!