The T5 Challenge
The Tahoe Five Peaks Challenge (T5) is a self-guided one‑day endurance adventure designed for hikers and trail runners who want to experience the full power and beauty of the Lake Tahoe Basin. Your mission is simple in concept and monumental in execution: Summit five iconic Tahoe peaks in under 24 hours.
You’ll cover 48.6 miles and climb 15,308 feet as you move clockwise around the lake, driving between trailheads and tackling each mountain in a recommended sequence that balances difficulty, safety, and daylight. Finish within the 24‑hour window and you’ll earn a place in the T5 Hall of Fame.
Race Formats
T5 Trail Run
This format is for trail runners and is a competition for time. Race against the clock to complete for the fastest cumulative time. Only time on trail is counted, so no need to race between the trails. An annual finisher board wil be mantained, faster male and female finishers will be crowned the champion and will receive a one of a kind trophy.
Regular Price: $50
Early Bird (closes April 15, 2026): $25
24 Hour Classic "Hardest Day Hike in America"
This is the classic T5 for hikers, compete the trails in the listed order within 24 hours. Your completion earns your place on the finisher board, and the glory of competing "The Hardest Day Hike in America!"
Regular Price $40
Early Bird (closes April 15, 2026): $20
Casual Hiker
This is for the rest of you, two additonal time formats that are challenging, but not extreme. The "Weekender" (complete them all in a weekend), and the "One-A-Day" (complete one peak a day for five days). You still get the swag, you still achieved something awesome.
Regular Price: $25
The Route
You begin the Tahoe Five Peaks Challenge at midnight on the slopes of Mt Rose, climbing by headlamp through quiet alpine forest until the trail opens into meadows and the first hints of dawn touch the lake. From there, the route carries you west into Olympic Valley, where Granite Chief rises above the ridgelines of Palisades Tahoe. As morning becomes midday, you push south toward the volcanic spine of Mt Tallac, gaining its summit above the deep blues of Emerald Bay before descending into the heat of the afternoon. The arc continues toward the high desert light of Freel Peak, the tallest mountain in the basin, where the terrain turns sandy and exposed and the scale of the challenge becomes unmistakable. With daylight fading, you trace the Tahoe Rim Trail toward Genoa Peak, following long, rolling ridges above the Carson Valley until the final summit brings the entire 24‑hour loop into view — a full circumnavigation of the lake, completed one mountain at a time
T5 Trail Run Rules
Competitor Rules
- Register for the event at least 24 hours before your first attempt
- Attempts must take place between July 1 and October 31, winner announced in November.
- Attempt the challenge as many times as you like during the annual window to record your best time (no additional charge)
- This is self-guided, you are responsible for your own safety and navigation
- Complete the peaks in order, we designed the night stages to be the safer runs
- Only the time you spend on the trail will count for your cumulative time (but you must complete them all within 24 hours)
- Submit gpx track (or Strava, Garmin) to hero@blisterpopadventures.com, and post a picture from the top of each peak to post to our Facebook page (even if its dark)
- Successful attemtps will be posted on our finisher board, and finshers will receive a challenge card (one per person)
- Annual winners (Male and Female) receive a trophy
- No speeding while driving between the peaks, we will be checking
- Check yourself, no cheating
- Stay on the trail and leave no trace
Newsletter
We will be publishing a monthly newsletter about the T5,inclduing listing the finishers. Sign up here to receive
Hiking Rules
"The 24 Hour Classic Hike"
Finish all five peaks in 24 hours. The following rules apply:
- Register for the event at least 24 hours before your attempt
- If your competing as a team, each person must register
- This is self-guided, you are responsible for your own safety and navigation
- Complete the peaks in order, we designed the night stages to be the safer climbs
- You can complete any time of the year, but we recommend July - October when the peaks are clear from snow
- You just submit gpx track (or Strava, Garmin), and post at a picture at the top of each peak to our Facebook page.
- Successful attempts will be added to our Finisher Board (no times), and will receive a finisher challenge card.
- No speeding while driving between the peaks, we will be checking
- Stay on the trail and leave no trace
"The Weekender"
Still a major accomplishment, finish all five peaks over the course of a weekend. The following rules apply:
- Register for the event at least 24 hours before your attempt
- If your competing as a team, each person must register
- This is self-guided, you are responsible for your own safety and navigation
- Complete the peaks in any order
- You must compete wihtin 48 hours, staring 12:00 am Saturday and finishing 11:59pm Sunday
- You can complete on any day of the year, but we recommend July - October when the peaks are clear from snow.
- Post at a picture at the top of each peak to our Facebook page.
- Your attempt will be posted to our finisher board.
- No speeding while driving between the peaks, we will be checking
- Stay on the trail and leave no trace
"One A Day"
Still an accomplishment, finish all five peaks over the course of five consequetive days. The following rules apply:
- Register for the event at least 24 hours before your attempt
- If your competing as a team, each person must register
- This is self-guided, you are responsible for your own safety and navigation
- Complete the peaks in any order
- You must complete the peaks wihtin five consequetive days
- You can complete on any day of the year, but we recommend July - October when the peaks are clear from snow
- Post a picture from the top of each peak to our Facebook page
- Your attenmot will eb posted to our finisher board
- No speeding while driving between the peaks, we will be checking
- Stay on the trail and leave no trace
Finisher Rewards
T5 Trail Run Trophy
The fastest male and female finishers of the season will reeceive our handcrafted finisher trophy (not shown above)
Season: July 1 - October 2026
Will you be the 2026 Champion!
Challenge Cards
All finishers of the T5 Trail and 24 Hour Challenge will receive an exclusive Challenge Card
Swag Store
Swag Store
If you want our cool logo on trail ready gear, check out our store. We appreciate your support, but we are not a clothing company, so we will never roll the cost of gear into your registration fee.
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