El Dorado County High Point Trip Report

Freel Peak (10,881 ft)

Date: June 21, 2002
Author: Scott Surgent

This was originally not in my plans. Lyon NV was my original intent but a big fire in the area was threatening my intended route. So Freel it was.

I took the longer route via the Tahoe Rim Trail up to the saddle below the summit. The final mile up the steep rock/sand/brush went slowly, but I was motivated by some questionable weather to make good time. I made the top exactly 4 hours after starting (including 45 minutes of backtracking when I originally tried the shorter, steeper route). Great views over Tahoe.

Coming down I took the steeper use trail that cut 2 miles from my hike. In retrospect, this use trail would have been miserable going up, so I think taking the longer route up and the shorter route down saves on overall wear and tear, not to mention your sanity.