Calling all Tahoe Rim Trail afficianados

Maybe Echo to Tahoe City? Can leave a car at Echo Lake, and head through Desolation, climb Mt. Tallac for the great view (short side trip), and to Tahoe City. I think it's 50 miles on trail. Not sure if you are shuttling, but hitch-hiking back would take a while. That said, the east side is nice too, with views over the lake and over Carson Valley (but pretty dry!). Lots of water in Desolation for fishing, much less once you leave it (if I recall). If you go slowish, it could be three days of hiking. Or just hike the whole 165+ miles in six (long!) days.

Looking those options up is. She just turned 13 so a weeklong through hike is nothappenin

Yes, I'd think that section would be good. Lots of water in Desolation and great granite scenery – if you want to go slow and fish and relax, that would be good. Pretty crowded in summer, so maybe try to time the Desolation part for non-weekend, if possible. Pretty dry around the north end, really dry on the east side. Maybe going Echo counter-clockwise to Heavenly is possible, though less water. Just a few big lakes (e.g. Star), but it's pretty, and you could bag Freel Peak going that way (highest peak in the Basin, and just a walk up).

In any case, have a great time!

Another thumbs up for the mentioned plan. I have some friends who started on the east side (they were new to backpacking) and had to carry water, plus their over heavy packs. They quit after a day and a half.
I think that the west shore has the best scenery as well.
Tamarack Lodge just outside of Tahoe city has clean inexpensive rooms. It adjoins a state park so it's quiet and woodsy.
I can't see you having any problems with water on this section of trail, going north or south. Plenty of lakes and streams.

Echo <->Tahoe City would definitely be a good choice, but Desolation, while beautiful, gets a lot of traffic. Heavenly <-> Echo has some gorgeous scenery and a few nice lakes (Dardanelles just off trail is great). Transportation would be more difficult and it’s probably closer to 60 miles, but you could also consider Big Meadow <-> Barker Pass.
If you’re interested/if it would help, check out my trail journal from last year’s thru hike.