Tahoe Trail Guide

Your Online Resource for Hiking, Backpacking, Cross-Country Skiing, and Snowshoeing at Lake Tahoe

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Category: Blog

Hiking Freel Peak (via Forest Service RD 051 near Luther Pass in South Tahoe)

May 16, 2024
| No Comments
| Blog, South Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, South Lake Tahoe Hiking, Summer Trails, Winter Trails
Snow-covered mountains at sunrise

Freel Peak is the highest peak in the Lake Tahoe Basin, standing at 10,881 feet. It sits on the border between the Lake Tahoe Basin and the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. As such, Freel Peak offers unparalleled 360 degree views of the entire region. In addition to panoramic views, you’ll find a wide variety of Sierra…

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Posted in Blog, South Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, South Lake Tahoe Hiking, Summer Trails, Winter Trails Tagged advanced, day hike, luther pass, multi-day hike, ski tour, south tahoe, tahoe rim trail Leave a comment

Hiking Freel Peak, Jobs Sister, and Jobs Peak in a Day (via FS Rd 051, near Luther Pass in South Tahoe)

May 15, 2024
| 24 Comments
| Blog, South Lake Tahoe Hiking, Summer Trails
Mountain peak of decomposing granite

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. It’s mostly above treeline, so it offers 360 degree views for miles in all directions. Each of the three peaks featured in this hike sit above…

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Posted in Blog, South Lake Tahoe Hiking, Summer Trails Tagged day hike, luther pass, multi-day hike, south tahoe, tahoe rim trail 24 Comments

Short and Easy Hikes in South Lake Tahoe

March 15, 2024
| 25 Comments
| Blog, South Lake Tahoe Hiking, Summer Trails
Lupine lines the hiking trail through Washoe Meadows State Park

Many people who come to Lake Tahoe plan on hiking bigger and more iconic trails such as Mount Tallac, Freel Peak, or Mount Rose. However, those hikes are all-day affairs. And sometimes you just don’t have the time or energy to tackle the longer hikes of Lake Tahoe. Or, there’s too much snow in the…

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Posted in Blog, South Lake Tahoe Hiking, Summer Trails Tagged short hike, snowshoeing basics, south tahoe 25 Comments

Tips for Spring Hiking in the Mountains at Lake Tahoe

March 10, 2024
| 1 Comment
| Backcountry Skills, Blog, East Lake Tahoe Hiking, North Lake Tahoe Hiking, South Lake Tahoe Hiking, Summer Trails, West Lake Tahoe Hiking
Snowy mountains and a verdant meadow

Lake Tahoe locals and visitors alike tend to drop their guard during the spring. We’ve made it through the punishing winter. Now we’re looking forward to the longer days and warmer sunshine of summer. The roads are bare. The trailheads are free of snow. So that first hike of the season is going to be…

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Posted in Backcountry Skills, Blog, East Lake Tahoe Hiking, North Lake Tahoe Hiking, South Lake Tahoe Hiking, Summer Trails, West Lake Tahoe Hiking Tagged backcountry travel considerations, beginner, day hike, east tahoe, intermediate, multi-day hike, north tahoe, short hike, ski tour, south tahoe, trip planning, west tahoe 1 Comment

Hiking South Camp Peak to the Bench (via HWY 50 in East Tahoe)

March 9, 2024
| No Comments
| Blog, East Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, East Lake Tahoe Hiking, Summer Trails, Winter Trails
Copyright © 2015 Jared Manninen

The trail to South Camp Peak probably isn’t in the top five hiking trails at Lake Tahoe. And, it may not even be in the top ten. However, I would argue that it’s still as exceptional a hike as any at Lake Tahoe. Parking is abundant (free!), the trail is easy to navigate, and there’s…

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Posted in Blog, East Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, East Lake Tahoe Hiking, Summer Trails, Winter Trails Tagged advanced, day hike, east tahoe, intermediate, spooner summit Leave a comment

Considerations for Spring Hiking and Backpacking at Lake Tahoe

March 1, 2024
| 8 Comments
| Backcountry Skills, Blog, East Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, East Lake Tahoe Hiking, North Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, North Lake Tahoe Hiking, South Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, South Lake Tahoe Hiking, Summer Trails, West Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, West Lake Tahoe Hiking, Winter Trails
Copyright © 2016 Jared Manninen

People would have you believe that Lake Tahoe in the spring is paradise. The days are becoming longer and the sun seems to be a little warmer. You’ve weathered fierce winter storms and now you’re ready to hit those famed Tahoe hiking trails. You’re looking forward to visiting your favorite peaks, finding unique and vibrant wildflowers,…

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Posted in Backcountry Skills, Blog, East Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, East Lake Tahoe Hiking, North Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, North Lake Tahoe Hiking, South Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, South Lake Tahoe Hiking, Summer Trails, West Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, West Lake Tahoe Hiking, Winter Trails Tagged advanced, backcountry travel considerations, beginner, day hike, east tahoe, intermediate, multi-day hike, north tahoe, short hike, ski tour, south tahoe, trip planning, west tahoe 8 Comments

Naturalist Resources for Sierra Nevada Plant, Bird, and Wildlife Identification

October 15, 2023
| No Comments
| Backcountry Skills, Blog, Natural History

I used to love to log countless miles on the trail. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with this. However, as the saying goes, I now prefer to take time to stop and smell the roses. As a result, this process of learning about the flora and fauna of the Sierra Nevada has been one of my…

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Posted in Backcountry Skills, Blog, Natural History Tagged Birds of Lake Tahoe, lake tahoe wildflowers, trees of the sierra nevada Leave a comment

Hiking Eagle Point Campground and Overlook Trail (at Emerald Bay in South Tahoe)

October 11, 2023
| No Comments
| Blog, South Lake Tahoe Hiking, Summer Trails
Sunrise at Lake Tahoe with Jeffrey Pine Trees

Hiking to the Eagle Point Campground Vista Point (wooden sitting bench) is more like an after-dinner walk you’d take with your child than an actual hike. However, that’s not to say this short trip isn’t worth your while. In fact, I would say the ends justify the means in this case. That’s because you’re rewarded…

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Posted in Blog, South Lake Tahoe Hiking, Summer Trails Tagged emerald bay, short hike, south tahoe Leave a comment

Cross-Country Skiing in Challenging Conditions

October 1, 2023
| 5 Comments
| Backcountry Skills, Blog, East Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, North Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, South Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, West Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing
Copyright © 2017 Jared Manninen

The mountaineering adage of “there’s no bad weather, only bad gear” holds true in many ways in 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, modifying your attitude and technique will surely contribute toward having a quality…

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Posted in Backcountry Skills, Blog, East Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, North Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, South Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, West Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing Tagged advanced, backcountry travel considerations, backcountry xc skiing, beginner, cross-country skiing explained, intermediate, ski tour, trip planning 5 Comments

Cross-Country Skiing Technique: Using the Side-Step and Herringbone Techniques in the Backcountry

September 29, 2023
| 2 Comments
| Backcountry Skills, Blog
Backcountry Cross-Country Skiing Technique: Side-Step and Herringbone Technique

Safety is paramount when traveling in the backcountry no matter your mode of winter adventure. This is especially true for cross-country skiing in mountainous landscapes. Due to their long and lightweight design, cross-country skis are ideal for flat and rolling terrain. Unfortunately, they can be difficult to control when it comes to dealing with the…

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Posted in Backcountry Skills, Blog Tagged backcountry xc skiing, cross-country skiing explained 2 Comments
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Top Tahoe Trail Guide Posts

Short and Easy Hikes in South Lake Tahoe
Making an 8-Page Zine From a Single Sheet of Paper
Overview of Off-Track and Backcountry Cross-Country Ski Gear
FAQs about Waxing Your Waxless Cross-Country Skis
Buying Cross-Country Ski Gear, for Beginners (Part 4): Can I Use One Set of XC Ski Boots for All of My Cross-Country Skiing Needs?
Waxing Your Waxless Cross-Country Skis: Step-By-Step Tutorial
Donner Party History: Series Introduction
XC Skiing Explained (Part 4): Classic Cross-Country Ski Bindings
XC Skiing Explained (Part 2): Geometry of Classic Cross-Country Skis
Hiking Frog Lake (via Carson Pass in South Tahoe)

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  • My First Experience with Low Heart Rate Training (Part 3): Experience, Results, and Concluding Thoughts about My Trail Running Summer
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Jared Manninen has been a Tahoe local since 2005. He began building Tahoe Trail Guide (c. 2017) in order to inspire people to embrace the outdoors as a place in which to learn and play.
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Popular Tahoe Trail Guide Posts

  • My First Experience with Low Heart Rate Training (Part 3): Experience, Results, and Concluding Thoughts about My Trail Running Summer
  • First Experience with Low Heart Rate Training (Part 2): My Goals and Methods of a Trail Running Summer
  • First Experience with Low Heart Rate Training (Part 1): My History of Dabbling in Endurance Sports
  • Cross-Country Skiing on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe
  • FAQs about Waxing Your Waxless Cross-Country Skis
  • Overview of Off-Track and Backcountry Cross-Country Ski Gear
  • Buying Cross-Country Ski Gear, for Beginners (Part 1): Intention, Types of XC Skis, and Whether to Buy New or Used

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Although I encourage you to venture out of your comfort zone, you need to know your limits and when to turn back. Tahoe Trail Guide and its contributors are not liable for property loss or damage, personal injury, or death. Always consult multiple sources when venturing into the backcountry. Always be prepared for the worst case scenario. Your safety is your responsibility. Tahoe Trail Guide copyright © 2016-2023 by Jared Manninen. All rights reserved.  This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Per the Associates Program Operating Agreement I must disclose the following statement: “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases” when you buy something via an Amazon.com advertisement.