Your Online Resource for Hiking, Backpacking, Cross-Country Skiing, and Snowshoeing at Lake Tahoe
The hike to Emerald Point is an absolute dream. The trail contours the north side of picturesque Emerald Bay, it’s relatively short at 5-6 miles (out-and-back), there’s only about 500 feet of total elevation gain to negotiate, and access to the trailhead is simple. The drawbacks to hiking the trail to Emerald Point are that…
The trail to Castle Rock is short, but highly rewarding. It offers panoramic views of Lake Tahoe. Additionally, you can see the south and west shores of Lake Tahoe. In the far distance off to the west you’ll see Desolation Wilderness, while off to the east you’ll catch some glimpses into the Carson Valley. Many…
One unique aspect of Tahoe’s local history is that Lake Tahoe and the surrounding Sierra Nevada Mountains have provided the backdrop or centerpiece for countless Hollywood movies. In fact, during December of 2018, mega-star Tom Cruise was filming a pivotal winter action scene for Top Gun: Maverick aka Top Gun 2 in Washoe Meadows State…
Ski bindings, whether they be for Nordic skis, Alpine skis, Telemark skis, or Randonee skis (Alpine Touring), are the unsung heroes of the world of skiing. Without bindings, our skis would be rendered useless for they are the direct interface between human and technology (skis). Their purpose is to enable us to exert control over…
When I was introduced to cross-country skiing as an adult (what child from the upper Midwest hasn’t tried it at least once in middle school?), I had already forsaken snow sports. The reasons weren’t because I didn’t love winter or I had an aversion to carving turns in fresh powder. Forgive my condescending attitude, but…
Snowshoes, or some version of them, have been around for thousands of years. For most people today, however, their use is less about survival and more for recreation. And even though the technology used in the design of contemporary snowshoes is superior to those of antiquity, the goal is the same – enable a person…
Hiking Freel Peak, Jobs Sister, and Jobs Peak in one shot is a goal shared by many Tahoe locals and weekend visitors. It’s an arduous but relatively safe route that is mostly above treeline and offers 360 degree views for miles in all directions. Each of the three peaks featured in this hike sit above…
Freel Peak is the highest peak in the Lake Tahoe Basin, standing at 10,881 feet. Freel Peak basically sits on the border between the Lake Tahoe Basin and the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, and offers unparalleled 360 degree views of the entire region. In addition to the panoramic views, you’ll find a variety of Sierra Nevada…
From an outward appearance, classic cross-country skis look simple in their design. They’re long, skinny, lightweight, and feature a graceful arc that (mostly) spans the length of the ski. However, the reality is that the shape of classic cross-country skis, as well as the techniques used to run them, are deceptively complex. Understanding the basic…
Presented to you in this article and collection of videos are some basic lessons on waxing your waxless cross-country skis. I prefer to use the term “functional” when describing my style of waxing because I aim for function rather than high-performance. I cross-country ski for enjoyment, exploration, and exercise (not racing), so my skis are…
The mountaineering adage of “there’s no bad weather, only bad gear” holds true in many ways with respect to cross-country skiing. But you could take that statement even further. Not only does choosing the correct cross country gear to run in challenging conditions help. But, also, modifying your attitude and technique will surely contribute to…
Zines (pronounced zeens) are self-published magazines, fanZINES, mini-books, or mini-comics that are often small in size and short in number of pages. The beauty of a zine is that you can create one with nothing more than a pen and a single sheet of paper. Then you just need a ream of paper and access…
When I hand first-time cross-country skiers their ski poles (in the rental shop where I seasonally work), I’m often met with disbelief. New customers will say something to the effect of, “these are so much longer than my alpine ski poles” or “are you sure they’re supposed to be so long?” They are a lot…