Spring Break 2019 – Day Five: Lower, Lower Greeley Camp (26.5) to the Birch Creek Take Out (51) and onto South Lake Tahoe

After catching up to so many other rafting groups, we knew the take out would be busy, so we woke up early and tried to pack up camp quickly. This was hampered by Eben’s need for first aid after a wicked stubbed toe. But everything came together in the end and we launched at 9:00 on our final morning. We passed a few other groups packing up camp as we floated by on a fine, warm morning with flat water and no wind. The final five miles continued to be scenic and interesting, including the old Birch Creek Ranch that is now run by the BLM. The take out had a couple small groups there when we showed up. It was actually pretty nice with some grassy areas and shade trees. Best of all – our Tahoe and boat trailer were there – something I always worry about until we see it with our own eyes.

 

We worked hard to offload the gear, clean the raft, unstrap the frame, and to reorganize everything to prepare for the second half of our spring break (skiing) and the end of our boating days. By the time were done with all of that (about two hours), about six or seven more groups came in and it was pretty hectic by noon when we left. 

 We had heard that the drive from the take out back to the main road was almost two-hours long and that four-wheel drive was needed. As we learned firsthand, that was very accurate information. We took pictures and video to prove it. When we finally had finished the road and made it back to a gas station, we noticed that a trailer tire was punctured and close to flat. Luckily Eben had a spare (so prepared) and there was a helpful clerk at the service station who plugged the puncture so that we still were able to carry a spare.

We put down a bunch of miles to get down to our friend Steve Casey’s house in Truckee, California, on the north end of Lake Tahoe. We visited with him and his wife, Annie, and dropped the trailer off to keep in his driveway before heading down to our condo at Heavenly by late that night.

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