Tahoe Trail Guide

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

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Category: Blog

Hiking Cathedral Meadow (via SR 89 near Fallen Leaf Lake in South Tahoe)

March 2, 2021
| 3 Comments
| Blog, South Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, South Lake Tahoe Hiking, Summer Trails, Winter Trails
Cathedral Meadow and Aspen trees

Cathedral Meadow is accessible year-round. Hike there during the warmer months, and then snowshoe and cross-country ski in the snowy ones. The area is often wet early in the summer since Cathedral Meadow is located near Taylor Creek and Fallen Leaf Lake. This is particularly evident after a big winter at Lake Tahoe. But because…

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Posted in Blog, South Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, South Lake Tahoe Hiking, Summer Trails, Winter Trails Tagged beginner, short hike, south tahoe 3 Comments

Hiking Round Lake (via Big Meadow Trailhead near Luther Pass in South Tahoe)

March 1, 2021
| 4 Comments
| Blog, South Lake Tahoe Hiking, Summer Trails
Sunset at Round Lake

The hike to Round Lake is not a secret Tahoe hike by any means. However, it’s definitely a Tahoe local’s favorite (especially for quick overnight backpacking trips). Why? Because it’s so close to town. And, yet, it’s out of the way just enough that you feel as though you were hiking a remote backcountry trail….

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Posted in Blog, South Lake Tahoe Hiking, Summer Trails Tagged big meadow trailhead, christmas valley, day hike, south tahoe 4 Comments

Hiking Dardanelles Lake (via South Upper Truckee RD at Christmas Valley in South Tahoe)

February 28, 2021
| 4 Comments
| Blog, South Lake Tahoe Hiking, Summer Trails
Copyright © 2018 Jared Manninen

The hike to Dardanelles Lake along the Christmas Valley Trail is a lesser known hike in South Tahoe. This is due to the fact that its trailhead is off-the-beaten-path. Unless you’ve read about it in a guidebook or randomly stumbled upon the trailhead, you’d probably never know it existed. Therefore, you don’t need to travel…

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Posted in Blog, South Lake Tahoe Hiking, Summer Trails Tagged day hike, south tahoe 4 Comments

Snowshoeing on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe

December 7, 2020
| 2 Comments
| Blog, South Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, Winter Trails
Copyright © 2008 Jared Manninen

Snowshoeing is an enjoyable way to experience Lake Tahoe’s backcountry. There aren’t many techniques involved with snowshoeing. Mostly, you just need to walk slightly wider and pick your knees up a little higher (depending on snow levels). So, snowshoeing is very accessible to many people. This is especially true for people who don’t have the…

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Posted in Blog, South Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, Winter Trails Tagged advanced, beginner, intermediate, ski tour, snowshoeing basics, south tahoe 2 Comments

5 Reasons to Love Snowshoeing

December 6, 2020
| No 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, Winter Trails

Snowshoeing isn’t necessarily as dynamic as cross-country skiing or other winter snow sports. But that doesn’t make snowshoeing any less enjoyable. Snowshoes simply provide a different type of fun! They also provide a wide range of benefits that other modes of winter travel and snow play don’t. In this article, I highlight the five reasons…

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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, Winter Trails Tagged snowshoeing basics Leave a comment

Hiking Logan Shoals Vista Point (via HWY 50 in East Tahoe)

December 4, 2020
| 2 Comments
| Blog, East Lake Tahoe Hiking, Summer Trails
Sunset at Lake Tahoe seen from the Logan Shoals Vista Point

From the Logan Shoals Vista Point on the east shore of Lake Tahoe, you’re afforded unobstructed, panoramic views looking west across the lake. Therefore, Logan Shoals makes for a perfect place in which to view sunsets at Lake Tahoe. Also, parking for the Logan Shoals Vista Point is free and located directly off of HWY…

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Posted in Blog, East Lake Tahoe Hiking, Summer Trails Tagged east tahoe, short hike 2 Comments

Birds of Lake Tahoe: The Tree Cleaving Pileated Woodpecker

August 26, 2020
| 2 Comments
| Blog, Natural History
Pileated Woodpecker perched on the side of a tree looking for insects

The Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) is one of my absolute most favorite birds. It’s not necessarily rare or endangered. However, it’s an elusive bird nonetheless. And it’s impossible not to feel wonder and awe when you see one in the wild thanks to its large black body contrasted by a striped face and red-capped head….

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Posted in Blog, Natural History Tagged Birds of Lake Tahoe 2 Comments

Hiking Maggies South Peak (via Bayview Trailhead near Emerald Bay in South Tahoe)

August 20, 2020
| 6 Comments
| Blog, South Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, South Lake Tahoe Hiking, Summer Trails
Copyright © 2018 Jared Manninen

The day hike to the south peak of Maggie’s Peaks is an incredibly worthwhile challenge. One that rewards you with countless panoramic views of the Lake Tahoe Basin. In addition to long views along Lake Tahoe’s east and south shores, you’ll also see … Emerald Bay, Cascade Lake, Fallen Leaf Lake, Freel Peak, Mount Tallac,…

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Posted in Blog, South Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, South Lake Tahoe Hiking, Summer Trails Tagged advanced, day hike, emerald bay, south tahoe 6 Comments

Birds of Lake Tahoe: How Woodpeckers Contribute to Healthy Forests at Lake Tahoe (and other fun facts)

July 20, 2020
| 6 Comments
| Blog, Natural History
Hairy Woodpecker takes a break from pecking on an old, dead tree

For many people, woodpeckers conjure up imagery ranging from the annoying. Those pesky birds that perforate the sides of homes new and old. To the absurd. Woody Woodpecker up to his usual hijinks. To the industrious. Woodpeckers are considered by many as the lumberjacks of the bird world, after all. There’s no question that they…

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Posted in Blog, Natural History Tagged Birds of Lake Tahoe 6 Comments

Hiking Winnemucca Lake (via Carson Pass in South Tahoe)

July 19, 2020
| 6 Comments
| Blog, South Lake Tahoe Hiking, Summer Trails
Alpine lake with mountains and snow in the background

The hike to Winnemucca Lake is one of the quintessential hikes of South Tahoe, especially when it comes to searching for summer wildflowers. Not only is the hiking trail to Winnemucca Lake a favorite by long-time Tahoe locals, it’s a mecca for wildflower enthusiasts from Sacramento to the Bay Area. Hiking to Winnemucca Lake is…

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Posted in Blog, South Lake Tahoe Hiking, Summer Trails Tagged carson pass, day hike, short hike, south tahoe 6 Comments
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Top Tahoe Trail Guide Posts

Overview of Off-Track and Backcountry Cross-Country Ski Gear
Making an 8-Page Zine From a Single Sheet of Paper
Short and Easy Hikes in South Lake Tahoe
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?
Hiking the Historic Donner Pass Train Tunnels in Truckee, CA
XC Skiing Explained (Part 4): Classic Cross-Country Ski Bindings
Waxing Your Waxless Cross-Country Skis: Step-By-Step Tutorial
Donner Party History: Series Introduction
Hiking Emerald Point (north side of Emerald Bay in South Tahoe)

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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
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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.