Tahoe Trail Guide

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Category: Blog

Donner Party History: Series Introduction

October 3, 2022
| 2 Comments
| Blog, Local History

Lake Tahoe is a relatively small and finite location. However, it’s a nexus for so many large events and personalities. This is why I’ve been so fascinated by its history ever since moving to Tahoe in 2005. So in addition to exploring Tahoe’s incredible summer and winter trails and learning about the region’s flora and…

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Posted in Blog, Local History Tagged donner party 2 Comments

Behind-the-Scenes Action Photos of Tom Cruise Filming Top Gun: Maverick (aka Top Gun 2) in South Lake Tahoe

May 29, 2022
| No Comments
| Blog, Local History
Tom Cruise running through the snow while filming Top Gun 2

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…

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Posted in Blog, Local History Tagged south tahoe, trip documenting Leave a comment

Lake Tahoe Wildflowers: Big Yellow Wildflowers with Big Green Leaves called Woolly Mule’s Ears and Arrowleaf Balsamroot

May 1, 2022
| 2 Comments
| Blog, Natural History
Woolly Mule's Ears (Wyethia mollis) and Arrowleaf Balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata)

I first met Lake Tahoe’s ubiquitous Woolly Mule’s Ears in 2006. Since that was my first summer living at Lake Tahoe, I was eager to learn about this new home of mine. So I enrolled in a basic mountaineering course at Lake Tahoe Community College. This seemed like a great way in which to gain…

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Posted in Blog, Natural History Tagged lake tahoe wildflowers 2 Comments

Lake Tahoe Wildflowers: Tips for Finding Wildflowers at Tahoe

April 14, 2022
| 1 Comment
| Blog, Natural History
Columbian Monkshood - Aconitum columbianum

Looking for wildflowers at Lake Tahoe is much like embarking on a treasure hunt. But the beauty of searching for Tahoe wildflowers is that you’re nearly always guaranteed to find some in bloom. This is assuming that you’re looking during the warmer months, of course. And that you don’t mind looking really closely at the…

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Posted in Blog, Natural History Tagged lake tahoe wildflowers 1 Comment

Lake Tahoe Wildflowers: Two Major Factors that Determine Peak Bloom Times for Wildflowers at Tahoe

April 12, 2022
| 9 Comments
| Blog, Natural History
Copyright © 2014 Jared Manninen

The United States is obviously composed of multiple climates. And, spring weather manifests at various times around the country. But May is usually the month that most Americans expect to see blooming flowers. This is evidenced by our use of the old English proverb April showers bring May flowers. The Sierra Nevada Mountains at Lake…

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Posted in Blog, Natural History Tagged lake tahoe wildflowers 9 Comments

Lake Tahoe Wildflowers: The Sinister Mustard Flower Rust

April 7, 2022
| 2 Comments
| Blog, Natural History
Mustard Flower Rust (Puccinia monoica) Copyright © 2015 Jared Manninen

I always stop to appreciate Sierra Nevada wildflowers while hiking. However, my love of specifically hunting for them comes and goes like the seasons. For example, during some years I’m active in my search for the small treasures. In other years, however, I’m more interested in logging bird species or hiking miles. But one of those…

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Posted in Blog, Natural History Tagged lake tahoe wildflowers 2 Comments

Wildfires and Smoke at Lake Tahoe (Considerations for Traveling in the Tahoe Backcountry during Summer)

April 5, 2022
| No Comments
| Backcountry Skills, Blog, East Lake Tahoe Hiking, Local History, Natural History, North Lake Tahoe Hiking, South Lake Tahoe Hiking, Summer Trails, West Lake Tahoe Hiking
Copyright © 2018 Jared Manninen

Living at Lake Tahoe and being surrounded by the Sierra Nevada Mountains is like living in a dream. There’s plenty of sunshine in the summer and powdery snow in the winter. The finest outdoor recreation is literally outside your front door. And, despite the massive influx of visitors that come to Lake Tahoe during the…

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Posted in Backcountry Skills, Blog, East Lake Tahoe Hiking, Local History, Natural History, North Lake Tahoe Hiking, South Lake Tahoe Hiking, Summer Trails, West Lake Tahoe Hiking Tagged backcountry travel considerations, east tahoe, north tahoe, south tahoe, west tahoe Leave a comment

Jared Manninen’s Outdoor VLOG

April 1, 2022
| 6 Comments
| 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, Winter Trails
Man cross-country skiing in rainy weather

Welcome to my series of outdoor-related video blogs aka vlogs! These short films are slightly less formal than my other informational and educational videos. Basically, I create these on-the-go videos while hiking, backpacking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing at Lake Tahoe. Once I return home, I perform some minimal editing to the footage. Then, I publish…

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Posted in 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, Winter Trails Tagged backcountry travel considerations, cross-country skiing explained, trail journal, trip documenting, trip planning 6 Comments

Invest in Technique More than Gear

March 30, 2022
| No Comments
| Backcountry Skills, Blog
Groomed cross-country ski tracks and pine trees

Gear is specific. Technique is universal. Now, I agree that your potential can be limited based on your gear’s capabilities. So, investing in quality gear is definitely worth it when diving deeper into your chosen endeavor. I also agree that buying new gear contributes to the long-term sustainability of the industry in which you’re participating….

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Posted in Backcountry Skills, Blog Tagged backcountry xc skiing, cross-country skiing explained Leave a comment

Trees of the Sierra Nevada: The Gentle Jeffrey Pine

January 14, 2022
| No Comments
| Blog, Natural History
Copyright © 2005 Jared Manninen

Jeffrey Pine (Pinus jeffreyi) trees are the most common trees of the Lake Tahoe Basin. However, that fact doesn’t diminish their regal beauty and dignified stature. One reason for their abundance is their resilient nature in the face of adversity. These coniferous evergreens can live for 400-500 years. And they’re tolerant of many stressors such…

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Posted in Blog, Natural History Tagged trees of the sierra nevada Leave a comment
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The mission of Tahoe Trail Guide is to provide information, education, and inspiration to all people seeking to recreate outdoors.

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Top Tahoe Trail Guide Posts

Short and Easy Hikes in South Lake Tahoe
Hiking Rubicon Trail (via Emerald Bay in South Tahoe)
Hiking Lam Watah Historic Trail (via Rabe Meadows at Stateline, NV)
Hiking the Historic Donner Pass Train Tunnels in Truckee, CA
Hiking Emerald Point (north side of Emerald Bay in South Tahoe)
Kokanee Salmon at Taylor Creek (via SR 89 in South Tahoe)
Hiking Freel Peak (via Forest Service RD 051 near Luther Pass in South Tahoe)
Making an 8-Page Zine From a Single Sheet of Paper
Birds of Lake Tahoe: The Tree Cleaving Pileated Woodpecker
Trees of the Sierra Nevada: The Gentle Jeffrey Pine

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Recent Tahoe Trail Guide Posts

  • 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
  • Buying Cross-Country Ski Gear, for Beginners (Part 2): How Much Gear to Acquire, Evaluating Your Commitment, and the Value of Taking XC Ski Lessons

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Self-portrait of Jared Manninen
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

  • 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
  • Buying Cross-Country Ski Gear, for Beginners (Part 2): How Much Gear to Acquire, Evaluating Your Commitment, and the Value of Taking XC Ski Lessons
  • Buying Cross-Country Ski Gear, for Beginners (Part 3): Can One Set of Classic Cross-Country Skis Work for Groomed and Off-Track XC Skiing?
  • 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?

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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.