Freel Peak Hike
	Trip Date:  09/15/2017 Distance: 10.5 Miles Vertical Gain: 2600' Group Size: 2 Hike Rating:  Easy   Moderate    Hard    Strenuous	See video of hike   GPX for this trip
	Start Coordinates:   N 38 49.819, W 119 54.026     End Coordinates:   Same as Start Coordinates   Car Shuttle Req'd:   No Parking Directions:   Take Highway 89 (Luther Pass Road) to Forest Service Road #51 on the north side of the highway.  Turn onto Road #51 and follow it for 3.6 miles until you reach the parking spot.  This is found just past the second bridge on the left side of the road.  This is typically a high-clearance vehicle road, so prepare adequately for this access road. Hazards of Note:   None. Crowd Factor:   Moderate.  The first section of this is along a popular section of the Tahoe Rim Trail (TRT) for both hikers and bikers.   General Notes: From the parking cross a footbridge to the west and head up the first mile until you reach a four-way junction with trails for the Tahoe Rim Trail (TRT) south, the TRT north, Fountain Place to the west and the Road 51 trail you headed up.   Take the Tahoe Rim Trail north and head toward Anderson Pass and Freel Peak.  About two miles further in you will find a junction for the trail up to Freel Peak, for hikers only.  This last mile of the trek will have to gain over 1100 feet in elevation, until you reach the top of the peak.
	A pleasant stream to cool off in near the trailhead along Road 51.
	Phil headed up the long incline toward Trimmer Peak and Armstrong Pass.
	As the trail continues on a constant climb from the junction, the first look toward Lake Tahoe appears along with the entire Desolation Wilderness area.
	Amazing views of Desolation Wilderness to the west are distracting all along the first few miles of climb.
	Phil enjoying a quick break at Armstrong Pass with Heavenly Ski Resort's Monument Peak in the distance.
	The junction from Armstrong Pass to the trail up to Freel Peak.  This last mile has significant elevation gain, almost all of it above 10K feet.
	A look back down at Trimmer Peak and Lake Tahoe from partially up the last mile toward the peak.
	Looking up toward Freel and the amount of elevation gain still to achieve.
	The sign at the summit of Freel with the elevation and a summit log ammo can located nearby.
	Hope Valley and Carson Pass from the summit, looking directly south..
	From this high up Echo Lake is visible below the pointed top of Ralston Peak.
	Hawkins Peak in front of Reynolds Peak with clouds just starting to form in the area.
	Enjoying lunch with Phil at the peak with the best views in the area all around.
	GPS Track of the full hike, starting at the arrow.