Tahoe Trail Guide

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

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Category: Local History

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

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

Kokanee Salmon at Taylor Creek (via SR 89 in South Tahoe)

October 1, 2020
| 2 Comments
| Blog, Local History, Natural History, South Lake Tahoe Hiking, Summer Trails
Copyright © 2014 Jared Manninen

Don’t get me wrong. I have absolutely no problem with Lake Tahoe’s scenery during the fall. The views are as idyllic as any mountainous locale in the world. Really, I’m not complaining. It’s just that I have this one minor, teeny-weeny, itsy-bitsy gripe. And this is coming from an artist, mind you, so take it…

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Posted in Blog, Local History, Natural History, South Lake Tahoe Hiking, Summer Trails Tagged short hike, south tahoe 2 Comments

Vikingsholm: A Brief History (Nordic Castle at Emerald Bay)

November 12, 2019
| No Comments
| Blog, Local History, South Lake Tahoe Hiking, Summer Trails
Copyright © 2013 Jared Manninen

When visiting Emerald Bay, or driving around it, the island sitting in the middle of the bay is what tends to draw the eyes of both first-time visitors and long-time Lake Tahoe locals. Fannette Island, as it’s called, is the most recognizable feature of Emerald Bay and happens to be the only island located in…

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Posted in Blog, Local History, South Lake Tahoe Hiking, Summer Trails Tagged emerald bay, short hike 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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Jared Manninen (Tahoe Trail Guide) Wins Sierra Nevada Alliance’s 2020 Frank Wells Last Best Place Award

2020 Frank Wells Last Best Place Award - Jared Manninen

In Recognition For Your Exhibited Stewardship As An Individual On Behalf Of The Sierra!

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Top Tahoe Trail Guide Posts

Short and Easy Hikes in South Lake Tahoe
Hiking the Historic Donner Pass Train Tunnels in Truckee, CA
Hiking Rubicon Trail (via Emerald Bay in South Tahoe)
Hiking Cascade Falls (via Bayview Trailhead near Emerald Bay in South Tahoe)
Lake Tahoe Wildflowers: Big Yellow Wildflowers with Big Green Leaves called Woolly Mule’s Ears and Arrowleaf Balsamroot
Considerations for Spring Hiking and Backpacking at Lake Tahoe
Hiking Emerald Point (north side of Emerald Bay in South Tahoe)
Hiking Winnemucca Lake (via Carson Pass in South Tahoe)
Hiking Freel Peak (via Forest Service RD 051 near Luther Pass in South Tahoe)
Hiking Mount Rose (via Mount Rose HWY/SR 431 near Incline Village, NV)

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  • History
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  • All Tahoe Trail Guide Articles (published chronologically)

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Recent Tahoe Trail Guide Posts

  • Short and Easy Hikes in South Lake Tahoe
  • Hiking Steven’s Peak (via Big Meadow Trailhead in South Tahoe)
  • Considerations for Spring Hiking and Backpacking at Lake Tahoe
  • Tips for Spring Hiking in the Mountains at Lake Tahoe
  • 10 Tips for Spring Cross-Country Skiing in the Backcountry
Another beautiful day in the neighborhood 🤗 . . Another beautiful day in the neighborhood 🤗
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#tahoe #tahoelife #tahome #visitlaketahoe #tahoesouth #tahoesnaps #mybackyard #mountainliving #playoutside #optoutside #adventurelife #outdoorculture #outdooradventure #mountainculture #findmeoutside #southlaketahoe #laketahoe #exploretahoe #lovewhereyoulive #adventurelifestyle #livelifeoutside
Enjoying the views during my first commute back to Enjoying the views during my first commute back to the summer office 🤗
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#tahoe #tahoelife #tahome #visitlaketahoe #tahoesouth #tahoesnaps #mybackyard #mountainliving #playoutside #optoutside #adventurelife #outdoorculture #outdooradventure #mountainculture #findmeoutside #southlaketahoe #laketahoe #exploretahoe #lovewhereyoulive #adventurelifestyle #livelifeoutside
By request! Some shots of the Upper Truckee River By request! Some shots of the Upper Truckee River for those who are considering a tube down the river. All I can say is that it's cold, deep, powerful, and spilling onto most banks. And there are some newer downed trees at various locations 🤗
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Photo 1 - Washoe Meadows State Park
Photo 2 - HWY 50/Elks Club Dr.
Photo 3 - HWY 50/Motel 6
Photo 4 - Venice Dr. at Cove East
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If you want some motivation to pursue a big goal this year, watch my May 2023 newsletter at YouTube.com/@JaredManninen 😊
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PayPal.me/JaredManninen
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Venmo.com/u/TahoeTrailGuide
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#tahoe #tahoelife #tahome #visitlaketahoe #tahoesouth #tahoesnaps #mybackyard #mountainliving #playoutside #optoutside #adventurelife #outdoorculture #outdooradventure #mountainculture #findmeoutside #southlaketahoe #laketahoe #exploretahoe #lovewhereyoulive #adventurelifestyle #livelifeoutside
Another beautiful day out there 🤗 . . Watch my Another beautiful day out there 🤗
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Watch my last two XC Ski VLOGs (52 and 53) at YouTube.com/@JaredManninen to see where I've been playing 😊
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Patreon.com/JaredManninen
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PayPal.me/JaredManninen
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Venmo.com/u/TahoeTrailGuide
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#tahoe #tahoelife #tahome #visitlaketahoe #tahoesouth #tahoesnaps #mybackyard #mountainliving #playoutside #optoutside #adventurelife #outdoorculture #outdooradventure #mountainculture #findmeoutside #southlaketahoe #laketahoe #exploretahoe #lovewhereyoulive #adventurelifestyle #livelifeoutside #backcountryskiing #dailyadventure #earnyourturns #xcskiing #xcski #nordicskier #nordicskiing #crosscountryskiing
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Fun Vintage Lake Tahoe Map
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.

Popular Tahoe Trail Guide Posts

  • Short and Easy Hikes in South Lake Tahoe
  • Hiking Steven’s Peak (via Big Meadow Trailhead in South Tahoe)
  • Considerations for Spring Hiking and Backpacking at Lake Tahoe
  • Tips for Spring Hiking in the Mountains at Lake Tahoe
  • 10 Tips for Spring Cross-Country Skiing in the Backcountry
  • 5 Reasons to Love Spring Cross-Country Skiing
  • Considerations and Reasons for Doing a Big Year

Lake Tahoe Trails

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  • All Winter Tahoe Trails
    • North Lake Tahoe XC Skiing and Snowshoeing
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    • East Lake Tahoe XC Skiing and Snowshoeing
    • West Lake Tahoe XC Skiing and Snowshoeing

Tahoe Trail Guide Info

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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.