Updating your home workout; hikes abound

Updating your home workout; hikes just about everywhere

BY SAM BAUMAN

If you've been doing a home exercise program for a period of time you might want to get it updated by a physical therapist. In the aftermath of a knee operation the visiting therapist asked me to show him my routine. I did and he found several points where I actually was hurting myself. It took him less than 30 minutes to write out corrections. My morning routine actually declined from an hour to 50 minutes " and I'm now doing it right. All kinds of little things that added up.

TRTA Guided Hikes

The Rim Trial people have set up some nighttime hikes. Here's what they say about them:

"Everything changes after dark " the trails, the trees, and the lake. Experience the Tahoe Rim Trail in a whole new light with full moon hikes led by experienced hike leaders. Take in inspiring views of the lake as the moon rises over the Lake Tahoe Basin. Experience the peace, tranquility and beauty of the Tahoe Rim Trail at dusk. Expect casually paced hikes for all ages, while slowing down to enjoy the flora and fauna, current happenings in the natural world and nighttime senses."

Space is limited; call the TRTA office at 298-0012 or e-mail emilyw@tahoerimtrail.org to reserve spot. Bring a flashlight, layered clothing and water. This may not be the best hike for children under 10. No dogs this time:

- Friday July 18, Full Buck Moon, Mt. Rose. Less than 5 miles. Meet at Mt. Rose Trailed, from 7:30 70 9:30 p.m. Leader to be announced.

- Saturday Aug. 16, Full Corn Moon , Brockway Summit, 2-3 miles, Brockway Summit Trailhead, from 7 to 9 p.m., leader is Emily Williams.

- Monday Sept. 15, Full Harvest Moon, Barker Pass, less than 5 miles, Barker Pass Trailhead, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., leader is Emily Williams.

- Wednesday Oct. 15, Full Hunters Moon, Mt. Rose, less than 5 miles, Mt. Rose Trailhead, from 5:45 to 7:45 p.m., leader to be announced.

LIVING HISTORY DAY AT SUGAR PINE POINT

The elegance of summering at the lakefront, in the high style of Old Lake Tahoe, returns to Sugar Pine Point State Park on Living History Day on July 26. The pines here are awesome and the lake all along the park. Big pine cones abound here.

The public is invited to visit the park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to take advantage of open house at the Pine Lodge and enjoy many family activities, free. These include nature walks through the estate's 2,000 acres, use of its two miles of beach, music, games for children and displays of antique cars and famous wooden boats. Parking is $6 per car.

Pine Lodge, also known as the Ehrman Mansion, is a three-story, shingled home built in 1903 by Isaias Hellman, a pioneering California banker. The estate is about 10 miles south of Tahoe City on Highway 89. (Tours of the mansion are usually priced at $5 for adults and $3 for juniors.)

For 60 years the Hellmans, and later their daughter Florence Hellman Ehrman, entertained family members and friends in the summertime. The estate remained closed to the public until Esther Lazard, daughter of Florence Ehrman and granddaughter of Isaias Hellman, sold the property to California in 1965.

"This is our 12th Living History Day," said Ranger Heidi Doyle of the California Parks Department, "and already it is one of the largest summer events in the Tahoe Basin. There's fun for everyone in the family."

On Living History Day visitors walking through the mansion will watch volunteers in period costumes act the roles of members of the Hellman-Ehrman family, as well as the family's butler, the upstairs maid and the cook.

The Sierra State Parks Foundation sponsors a variety of educational and historical exhibits, including an annual favorite, a display of vintage cars.

Elders of the Washoe tribe, whose ancestors were the original residents of the Tahoe Basin, will relate their people's history. Visitors can take guided nature hikes through the Z'berg Natural Preserve to the "highest lighthouse in the world" or along the Washoe Path of the Water Babies.

For younger visitors, Living History Day will offer a Kids Zone, with story telling, period dress up and the opportunity to create pictures of the lodge to take home as souvenirs.

Three prominent local artists will demonstrate their talents throughout the day. Bill Clausen, of Homewood, has created many watercolor paintings of Sugar Pine Point; Cathy McClelland, of Kings Beach, works mostly in acrylics, many portraying bears and other wildlife of the lake shore; Andy Skaff, of Tahoma, specializes in works of the plein air genre, such as landscapes.

Bring swimwear and towels to take advantage of the estate's beach. A bathhouse is available for changing. Those who would like to picnic on the vast lawn overlooking the lake can bring their own lunch or, buy hamburgers, hot dogs, barbecued chicken and soft drinks.

Call (530) 525-9528, or see www.laketahoelivinghistory.com.

MORE RIM TRAIL HIKING

Here are more hikes, all sound interesting if a bit much for a new knee.

Tuesday, Spooner Summit to Snow Valley Peak: Enjoy panoramic views of the valley and lake between bare rock and shimmering aspen groves. Hike will end at Spooner Lake State Park. Expect a moderate 12-mile hike. Space is limited to eight hikers. Meet at Spooner Summit North Trailhead at 7:30 a.m., leaders are Hedda Anya and Sue Henson.

Sunday July 27, Mt. Rose Trail to Waterfall, hike toward Mt. Rose, stopping at a beautiful waterfall for lunch, and continuing the loop back to the trailhead. Enjoy the wildflowers, learning them by name with plenty of photo opportunities. Total of 7 miles, bring your lunch! Only children over 10 years old and no dogs, Mt. Rose Trailhead at 10 a.m., leaders are Steve Balog and Julie Page.

Tuesday July 29, Barker Pass to Tahoe City, enjoy the wildflowers on this moderately difficult 11-1⁄2 mile hike. The trail dips in and out of flowery meadows and swoops around craggy volcanic peaks. Space is limited to eight hikers, Tahoe City Trailhead at 7 a.m. for shuttle, leaders are Hedda Anya and Sue Henson.

Saturday Aug. 2, Mt. Rose Trail to Waterfall FOR FAMILIES, hike toward Mt. Rose, stopping at a beautiful waterfall for lunch, and then continuing the loop back to the trailhead. Total of 7 miles, bring your lunch. Only children above 7 years old and dogs welcome. Mt. Rose Trailhead at 10 a.m. Leader is Janet Baldridge.

Friday Aug. 8, Mt Rose to Martis Access Trail, hike through thick forests and open meadows and across the feet of ancient volcanoes. Enjoy sun-splashed meadows and panoramic lake views. No children, dogs are welcome, 18 miles, strenuous, Martis Peak Dirt Road entrance at 8 a.m. to shuttle. Leader is Lily Egan.

Sunday Aug. 24, Ophir Creek Trail, Davis Creek Park to Tahoe Meadows, Ophir Creek climbs from Washoe Valley at Davis Creek Park to the Tahoe Rim Trail at Tahoe Meadows trailhead. The 3,600-foot elevation gain in 6.5 miles is not for the faint of heart, but provides a close-up view of the geology of Slide Mountain, learning about the Carson Range "plumbing system." Strenuous. Total of 13 miles. Tahoe Meadows Trailhead, south side at 7 a.m. Will then carpool and drive to Davis Creek trailhead to start hike. Leader is Dan Allison.

Sign up for hikes in advance by either calling the TRTA office at (775) 298-0012 or HIKING DOG STORE

Pet Network has opened a dog hiking specialty store to serve the needs of local hikers and pet owners. The newly completed Incline City Canine Dog Hiking Specialty Store is open from 7:30 am to 6:00 p.m. seven days per week in the Pet Network shelter at 401 Village Blvd.

Incline Canine carries hiking gear from premier companies such as Ruffwear, Zukes, Chuck-it, and Planet Dog. These items compliment the existing pet store which carried a variety of items such as; crates, collars, leashes, bowls, beds, treats and toys.

Incline Canine also carries a number of cat related goods, including, bowls, toys, treats and unique scratching posts. Call 832-4404.

LAKE TAHOE HISTORY HIKES

Explore Lake Tahoe's geology and natural history with an evening slide presentation and guided hike the next morning as part of the Squaw Valley Institute's "Dimension of the Sierra Nevada," July 11-12 and July 12-13. A $10 donation to the Squaw Valley Institute is requested.

Frank DeCourten, Professor of Geology at Sierra College, will kick off the weekend with a photo journey and evolutionary history of alpine landscapes over the past 100 million years. His presentation, Geological Evolution of the Tahoe Sierra, will be a prelude to the Squaw Peak Basin hike on the following day, Saturday.

On Saturday evening, Biology Professor Derek Larson's presentation, Sierra Nevada Landscape Evolution, will look at the systems of geology, botany and climate to tell the story of how today's scenery came to look the way it does. The following day, Sunday, he will lead a hike through the Shirley Canyon pointing out how to read the landscape as history. Call Squaw Valley Institute at (530) 581-4138.

- Contact Sam Bauman at Sbauman@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1236.