10 Great Lake Tahoe hikes
By Wendy Lautner, tahoe.com
In the Lake Tahoe area, there’s always a good reason take a deep breath of mountain air and hit the trails. Check out these 10 great Tahoe hikes rated for difficulty – five stars is the toughest. Hiking season starts around mid-to-late-May and lasts through the first snowfall.
Paige Meadows
Enjoy the peace, quiet and simplicity of this mountain meadow bursting with an incredible variety of wildflowers June through August. Traveling southbound on Highway 89 turn right at the large wooden Pineland gates (Blackwood Canyon Road), stay left at the fork and continue 1.5 miles before coming to a logging road on the right. Follow the road, bearing left at the sign to Paige Meadows. Trail loops around the meadow.
Difficulty: *
Best for: Wildflowers, beginners, dogs
Grass Lake
While most of Tahoe’s terrain can best be described as rocky and rugged, Grass Lake’s boggy nature provides a stark contrast to the typical hikes in the area. This easy (although soggy) hike also provides a vibrant outdoor classroom, showing off such wildflowers as the insect eating Sundew flower and the fuzzy Buckbean in the spring. Pick up Highway 89 in Meyers heading south. Follow the highway seven miles to the summit of Luther Pass; Grass Lake is on the right.
Difficulty: *
Best for: Wildflowers, beginners, children
Tahoe Meadows
Turn north on Highway 431 from the intersection with State Route 28 and continue approximately seven miles to reach this lovely, wildflower-laden meadow. You’ll find tiny Shooting Stars lining this easy loop path, plus when the sun sets the Alpenglow on the surrounding peaks is breathtaking.
Difficulty: *
Best for: Wildflowers, beginners, sunsets
Paige Meadows
Enjoy the peace, quiet and simplicity of this mountain meadow bursting with an incredible variety of wildflowers June through August. Traveling southbound on Highway 89 turn right at the large wooden Pineland gates (Blackwood Canyon Road), stay left at the fork and continue 1.5 miles before coming to a logging road on the right. Follow the road, bearing left at the sign to Paige Meadows. Trail loops around the meadow.
Difficulty: *
Best for: Wildflowers, beginners, dogs
Grass Lake
While most of Tahoe’s terrain can best be described as rocky and rugged, Grass Lake’s boggy nature provides a stark contrast to the typical hikes in the area. This easy (although soggy) hike also provides a vibrant outdoor classroom, showing off such wildflowers as the insect eating Sundew flower and the fuzzy Buckbean in the spring. Pick up Highway 89 in Meyers heading south. Follow the highway seven miles to the summit of Luther Pass; Grass Lake is on the right.
Difficulty: *
Best for: Wildflowers, beginners, children
Tahoe Meadows
Turn north on Highway 431 from the intersection with State Route 28 and continue approximately seven miles to reach this lovely, wildflower-laden meadow. You’ll find tiny Shooting Stars lining this easy loop path, plus when the sun sets the Alpenglow on the surrounding peaks is breathtaking.
Difficulty: *
Best for: Wildflowers, beginners, sunsets
Meiss Meadows Overlook
While most of the hiking traffic heads north from Echo Summit to Echo Lakes, take the less beaten path south toward Meiss Meadows for a chance to see abundant wildlife and, in the autumn, spectacular golden Aspen. Turn left into the Pacific Crest Trailhead parking lot at the top of Echo Summit on Highway 50. This out and back jaunt starts slow, but after crossing a foot bridge steadily climbs to the Meiss Meadows Overlook. Turning around here makes this a 5-mile roundtrip.
Difficulty: **
Best for: Wildlife, fall colors, road-trip relief
Pacific Crest Trail, I-80 to Donner Pass Road
Starting from a bustling Interstate 80 rest area hikers take a trip through geologic history on the Pacific Crest overlooking Donner Lake. The trail crosses Donner Pass Road 3.6 miles from the freeway, which makes for a nice turnaround. To shorten the 7-mile hike, set a shuttle vehicle in the Sugar Bowl Academy parking lot at the turnaround. From I-80 eastbound, exit at the rest area immediately following the Boreal exit.
Difficulty: **
Best for: Road-trip relief, children
Barker Pass to Twin Peaks
Incredible scenery and gentle, varied terrain make this out-and-back journey a half-day delight. Following the well-worn Pacific Crest Trail most of the way, a short side-trip on the Tahoe Rim Trail to Twin Peaks is a bonus for the adventurous peak bagger. A short talus scramble to the top provides an unforgettable bird’s eye view of Lake Tahoe. From Highway 89, turn right on Blackwood Canyon Road 4.25 miles south of Tahoe City. Follow the road, veering left for 7.2 miles to the dirt Pacific Crest and Tahoe Rim Trail parking lot. Hike is 12 miles roundtrip.
Difficulty: ***
Best for: Lake Tahoe views, peak baggers
While most of the hiking traffic heads north from Echo Summit to Echo Lakes, take the less beaten path south toward Meiss Meadows for a chance to see abundant wildlife and, in the autumn, spectacular golden Aspen. Turn left into the Pacific Crest Trailhead parking lot at the top of Echo Summit on Highway 50. This out and back jaunt starts slow, but after crossing a foot bridge steadily climbs to the Meiss Meadows Overlook. Turning around here makes this a 5-mile roundtrip.
Difficulty: **
Best for: Wildlife, fall colors, road-trip relief
Pacific Crest Trail, I-80 to Donner Pass Road
Starting from a bustling Interstate 80 rest area hikers take a trip through geologic history on the Pacific Crest overlooking Donner Lake. The trail crosses Donner Pass Road 3.6 miles from the freeway, which makes for a nice turnaround. To shorten the 7-mile hike, set a shuttle vehicle in the Sugar Bowl Academy parking lot at the turnaround. From I-80 eastbound, exit at the rest area immediately following the Boreal exit.
Difficulty: **
Best for: Road-trip relief, children
Barker Pass to Twin Peaks
Incredible scenery and gentle, varied terrain make this out-and-back journey a half-day delight. Following the well-worn Pacific Crest Trail most of the way, a short side-trip on the Tahoe Rim Trail to Twin Peaks is a bonus for the adventurous peak bagger. A short talus scramble to the top provides an unforgettable bird’s eye view of Lake Tahoe. From Highway 89, turn right on Blackwood Canyon Road 4.25 miles south of Tahoe City. Follow the road, veering left for 7.2 miles to the dirt Pacific Crest and Tahoe Rim Trail parking lot. Hike is 12 miles roundtrip.
Difficulty: ***
Best for: Lake Tahoe views, peak baggers
Lake Aloha
Pick up a wilderness permit at the Lake Tahoe Visitor Center for a truly spectacular night out under the stars in Tahoe’s Desolation Wilderness. In the summertime, hitch a ferry ride across Echo Lake and hike 3.5 miles to the surreal shorelines of Lake Aloha. Camping available on the granite beaches or on the southeast end of the lake in the trees; no campfires permitted. Crowds dwindle in the fall, but when the ferry’s not running plan on adding five miles to the total trip.
Difficulty: ***
Best for: Overnight, alpine lakes
Horsetail Falls
Best seen in early summer when High Sierra snowmelt gushes down this granite slide, Horsetail Falls is certainly one of the most spectacular and easily accessible waterfalls in the Tahoe area. Park in the well-marked Pyramid Creek trailhead on the north side of Highway 50 (left for eastbound travelers) a mile or so east of Strawberry Lodge in the small village of Twin Bridges. Follow a single track trail through a small forest before emerging on the series of steep, granite slabs leading to a pool at the base of the falls which is the turnaround point, 3 miles roundtrip. Use extreme caution of wet rocks.
Difficulty: ***
Best for: Waterfalls, road-trip relief
Alpine Meadows to Five Lakes
This short, but strenuous climb leads to a collection of five pristine alpine lakes. The lakes make a great spot to cool off from the steep, dusty climb in mid-summer, but be careful on this trail in early summer before the snow has time to melt. From Highway 89, turn toward Alpine Meadows at the River Ranch. About two miles up, look for a pull off on the right hand side of the road.
Difficulty: ****
Best for: Alpine lakes, dogs
Mt. Tallac
Summiting this 9,735-foot giant is a feat worth celebrating. Fortunately, ambitious hikers are rewarded with stunning views of Lake Tahoe and Desolation Wilderness at the top and vistas of Fallen Leaf Lake on the way up as well. Save seven hours to hike these 9.6 miles up and down. From Highway 89, turn onto Forest Service Road 13N06 directly across the highway from the Lake Tahoe Visitor’s Center, follow signs to Tallac Trailhead and reach the trailhead approximately one mile from the highway.
Difficulty: *****
Best for: Peak baggers, Lake Tahoe views, dogs
Some of the information for Paige Meadows, Tahoe Meadows and Grass Lakes hikes was obtained from www.wildflowerhikes.com.
Pick up a wilderness permit at the Lake Tahoe Visitor Center for a truly spectacular night out under the stars in Tahoe’s Desolation Wilderness. In the summertime, hitch a ferry ride across Echo Lake and hike 3.5 miles to the surreal shorelines of Lake Aloha. Camping available on the granite beaches or on the southeast end of the lake in the trees; no campfires permitted. Crowds dwindle in the fall, but when the ferry’s not running plan on adding five miles to the total trip.
Difficulty: ***
Best for: Overnight, alpine lakes
Horsetail Falls
Best seen in early summer when High Sierra snowmelt gushes down this granite slide, Horsetail Falls is certainly one of the most spectacular and easily accessible waterfalls in the Tahoe area. Park in the well-marked Pyramid Creek trailhead on the north side of Highway 50 (left for eastbound travelers) a mile or so east of Strawberry Lodge in the small village of Twin Bridges. Follow a single track trail through a small forest before emerging on the series of steep, granite slabs leading to a pool at the base of the falls which is the turnaround point, 3 miles roundtrip. Use extreme caution of wet rocks.
Difficulty: ***
Best for: Waterfalls, road-trip relief
Alpine Meadows to Five Lakes
This short, but strenuous climb leads to a collection of five pristine alpine lakes. The lakes make a great spot to cool off from the steep, dusty climb in mid-summer, but be careful on this trail in early summer before the snow has time to melt. From Highway 89, turn toward Alpine Meadows at the River Ranch. About two miles up, look for a pull off on the right hand side of the road.
Difficulty: ****
Best for: Alpine lakes, dogs
Mt. Tallac
Summiting this 9,735-foot giant is a feat worth celebrating. Fortunately, ambitious hikers are rewarded with stunning views of Lake Tahoe and Desolation Wilderness at the top and vistas of Fallen Leaf Lake on the way up as well. Save seven hours to hike these 9.6 miles up and down. From Highway 89, turn onto Forest Service Road 13N06 directly across the highway from the Lake Tahoe Visitor’s Center, follow signs to Tallac Trailhead and reach the trailhead approximately one mile from the highway.
Difficulty: *****
Best for: Peak baggers, Lake Tahoe views, dogs
Some of the information for Paige Meadows, Tahoe Meadows and Grass Lakes hikes was obtained from www.wildflowerhikes.com.
Please log in to leave comments.
SUBMIT
