The “Tahoe Five Summits” is an open-course, point-to-point adventure linking the highest points of all five counties surrounding Lake Tahoe: Placer, Washoe, Carson City, Douglas, and El Dorado. It starts at the Martis Peak Tahoe Rim Trail (TRT) trailhead and finishes on the summit of Freel Peak. The route visits the five county high points in sequence, crossing the Tahoe region from north to south and showcasing an exceptional variety of Sierra Nevada terrain, from forested ridgelines and established trails to rugged high-alpine terrain.
Athletes are free to choose their own line between the designated start, each county high point, and the finish, making this a true test of route-finding as well as speed; the accompanying GPX represents one possible line rather than a required course. The route is open to running, hiking, and multi-sport attempts using entirely human-powered travel, including cycling and skiing.
The five-county objective gives the route a clear geographic purpose and logical progression, while the combination of long-distance travel, substantial elevation gain, five high points, and expansive views across the Tahoe Basin makes the Tahoe Five Summits a unique Sierra Nevada adventure.
