OverviewSitting just northeast of Lake Tahoe, Relay Peak is the highest point on the Tahoe Rim Trail (TRT). In fact, at 10,335 feet, it is one of the highest peaks in the Lake Tahoe Basin. However, it is generally overshadowed by its nothern neighbor, Mount Rose. Because the summit is rather easy to reach and requires only hiking, it generally isn't a major goal for peakbaggers. Most routes to the summit are easy and moderate in length, except for one long approach that starts at Brockway Summit.
Relay Peak from the service road |
Still, for anyone who visits Relay Peak, they will be greeted by excellent views for most of the way up, especially of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding peaks to the south. The views at the summit are even better, where many of the southwest and western Tahoe peaks can be seen. In addition, Castle Peak, Basin Peak, and Sierra Buttes are visible to the north. Even Lassen Peak is visible if you look for it.
Because of its proximity to Reno and Carson City, Relay Peak is commonly hiked and has lots of hikers walking dogs on the route during the summer. Due to its wide, easy to follow trail, it can easily be snowshoed during the winter months.
Getting ThereGetting to Relay Peak is easy. From Reno take 395 to the Mount Rose Highway (431). Take 431 until you reach the Mount Rose Summit Parking Area (8,911'). The route to the summit starts at the west edge of the parking lot at the same place as the Mount Rose Trail. This is the start of the main trail to the summit. However, there are at least four noteworthy ways to reach the summit of Relay Peak.
View of Incline Lake and Lake Tahoe from the trail |
1) From Mount Rose Summit parking area to the Relay Peak Service Road
Round Trip Distance: 9 miles
Elevation Gain: 1500 feet
This is a day hike up from the Mount Rose Summit parking area. The trail to Relay Peak is marked at the entry to the trail. It says 3.9 miles to Relay Peak, but maps say this is more than five miles. From my experience, and from the distance markers, I estimate that the trail is roughly five miles. From Mount Rose Summit, you take a trail south for 0.8 miles until it reaches the service road. Take the service road for just over 2 miles and you will see a sign for the trail to Mount Rose. At this point, you will also see a sign saying it is two miles to Relay Peak. I found this sign to be pretty accurate. After another 1 1/2 miles you reach the Tahoe Rim Trail. A sign points the way to Relay Peak, which is only 1/2 mile away with little more than 200 feet of elevation gain left to go.
2) From Tahoe Meadows up the Relay Peak Service Road
Round Trip Distance: 9 miles
Elevation Gain: 1850 feet
Just west of Mount Rose Summit is the Tahoe Meadows parking area. From Tahoe Meadows, you simply take the Relay Ridge service road from its starting point. This is pretty much the same trail you take as the Mount Rose Summit route, except the starting point is different, the total round trip distance is one mile shorter, and the elevation gain is about 350' greater.
3) Southeast Ridge route
Round Trip Distance: ~5 1/2 miles
Elevation Gain: 1500-1850 feet depending where you start
You can start this route from either Tahoe Meadows or the Mount Rose Summit parking area. About 1 1/2 miles in from the start of the service road, you can crossover to the ridge and head directly up to the summit. There is no defined trail, so you just have to follow the ridge as it goes up to meet the main Relay Ridge just south of the peak.
Southeast Ridge route with red markings |
4) From Brockway Summit (California)
Round Trip Distance: 28.8 miles
Elevation Gain: >3500 feet
Brockway Summit is located in California, at an elevation of about 7200 feet. It can be reached by traveling on Highway 267 between Truckee and Kings Beach to the turnoff for Forest Service Road 16N56 on the north side of the highway, 2.75 miles northwest of Kings Beach. There is a parking lot for the Tahoe Rim Trail just southeast of Brockway Summit. This trail is very long and takes more than one day. Low impact camping is allowed on the trail. In other words, don't bring matches. One bright spot for this route is that it is an opportunity to climb a long section of the Tahoe Rim Trail.
Red TapeNo red tape - except that bikes aren't allowed on the final stretch to the summit on the Tahoe Rim Trail.
External LinksTahoe Rim Trail Association Images
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Lake Tahoe Basin
