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Snowshoeing at Lake Tahoe
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Tahoe Meadows: Easy level snowshoe great for all ages and families approx 4 mile roundtrip trek through Lodgepole pine forest, and out to a beautiful lake view vista.
Directions: From Hwy 28 lake level go up highway 431 (Mt. Rose Hwy) approx. 7 miles up 431. On either side of the Hwy opens up into a Meadow. Park on right side of highway. Start trek at bottom of the Tahoe Meadows right near the tree line.
Mt. Rose Trailhead: Moderate level snowshoe high elevation gain. Approximately 2 mile roundtrip trek from the Mt. Rose trailhead. Trek over or around the bathroom up to the ridge line that is actually in front of Mt. Rose mountain.
Directions: From Hwy 28 go up Hwy 431 for approx 9 miles, when you reach Mt. Rose summit trailhead. There is a parking area on the left hand side, that usually stays plowed. Start trek from parking lot around the backside of the bathrooms.
Echo Lakes: Moderate level snowshoe trek, approx 4 miles. Trek down Echo Lakes road to the Echo lakes chalet. From Echo lakes base you can chose to trek across echo lakes which get frozen over in the colder part of winter, (lots of people also cross country ski over the lake as well). Another route I like is going to the right side of the echo lake, over the bridge, by the TRT trailhead, and continuing up the ridge to the top of Echo peak (8,945 ft) once at the peak you can see down into Desolation Wilderness, as well as on the other side Lake Tahoe, and at night the lights of South Lake Tahoe. This route is more like 6 miles roundtrip.
Directions: From South Lake Tahoe Hwy 50 go through town past all the commercial parts of South Lake Tahoe, and then through Meyers. You will continue through Meyers and going like heading for Placerville. Off Hwy 50 there will be a road on the right hand side called Johnson Rd., turn right and continue down road and park in Sno-Park area. Echo Lake Road is parallel to parking, start trek from Echo Lakes road sign, and continue down road path.
Page Meadows: easy level snowshoe, 3 miles roundtrip.
Directions: On West shore lake Tahoe. From hwy 28, turn left at intersection of 28 & 89, turn left onto 89 two miles south of the junction of hwy 89 turn right onto Pine Avenue, then from there turn right on to Tahoe Parks Heights, from there drive up and turn onto Big Pine, and then drive up and turn left onto Silvertip. At the end of the road park at designating parking area. Trek begins at end of parking area, head west into meadow area. If you are not familiar with Page Meadows, use a GPS unit.
Guided snowshoe tours
Moonlight Snowshoe Tours: Northstar Resort offers guided Full Moon Snowshoe Tours each month during the winter season. Tours depart from the Nordic Center at 6 p.m. and will cover approximately 5 km of terrain. Guests will enjoy a naturalist guided hike, live acoustic music, bonfire, s'mores and hot chocolate.All tours will begin at 5 p.m. and will depart from the Cross-Country Ski, Telemark & Snowshoe Center. The cost is $40 for adults, $25 children 10-12 and under and $5 for a snowshoe rental if needed. Upcoming dates and times: Jan. 7, Feb. 4, March 10 and April 7 at 5 p.m. For reservations or more information, call (530) 562-3270. Dogs on leash are welcome.
Where to hike:
Make sure you bring your snowshoes when you check out some of these trail suggestions this winter:
Kyburz Flat
Beginning snowshoers, dogs, families with children and those not in peak condition will enjoy Kyburz Flat. The grade is easy, the distance is short, and next to no route finding is required along the easily discernible road regularly marked with blue diamonds. Kyburz Flat is a vast clearing encased by lightly forested hills, emitting a delightfully pastoral ambiance.
Directions: Follow California 89 north for about 12 miles to the Kyburz Flat parking lot on the east, or right, side of the road.
Spooner Lake
Spooner Lake has a 90-kilometer trail system comprised of 20 interconnected trails with beautiful views of pure wilderness. This area is located on 9,000 acres in the Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park in the Carson Range along the east side of Tahoe.
Directions: Spooner Lake is located one-half mile from U.S. Highway 50 on State Route 28 on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe.
Blackwood Canyon
Blackwood Canyon offers wide range of experiences for snowshoers of all levels of skill and endurance. The first 2.25 miles are well-suited for an easy half-day journey to the crossing of Blackwood Creek, where you will find the creek coursing sinuously through open meadows (also a great lunch spot).
For something more challenging, the excursion to Barker Pass offers grand views of the peaks and ridges in the upper canyon. This trip would be rated “easy” if not for the total distance of nearly 15 miles round trip.
Directions: West side of Highway 89, three miles south of Tahoe City. Parking is available.
