Tahoe Trail Guide

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

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Category: South Lake Tahoe Hiking

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

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

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

Backpacking in Desolation Wilderness: Echo Lakes to Emerald Bay (Trail Journal & Data)

July 7, 2020
| 2 Comments
| Blog, South Lake Tahoe Hiking, Summer Trails

During my first summer of living at Lake Tahoe I took a mountaineering course offered through Lake Tahoe Community College’s wilderness education program. The course was a fantastic way in which to learn more about the new outdoor playground that I found myself living in. I moved to Lake Tahoe in the fall of 2005,…

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Posted in Blog, South Lake Tahoe Hiking, Summer Trails Tagged desolation wilderness, emerald bay, multi-day hike, south tahoe, trail journal, trip documenting 2 Comments

Hiking Red Lake Peak (via Carson Pass in South Tahoe)

January 13, 2020
| No Comments
| Blog, South Lake Tahoe Hiking, Summer Trails
Whitebark Pine and volcanic rock with blue skies and lake

Red Lake Peak is an exceptional hike that includes on and off-trail travel. Although half of the route to Red Lake Peak is off-trail, those few miles are easy to navigate because they’re across open terrain allowing you to see for miles in all directions. And, those views are incredible! You’ll see glimpses of Freel…

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Posted in Blog, South Lake Tahoe Hiking, Summer Trails Tagged carson pass, day hike, south tahoe Leave a comment

Hiking Frog Lake (via Carson Pass in South Tahoe)

January 13, 2020
| 4 Comments
| Blog, South Lake Tahoe Hiking
Mountains with patches of snow and a small lake

Hiking to Frog Lake is an ideal adventure for all ages and fitness levels because the trail to Frog Lake is relatively short and easy. In addition, once you reach Frog Lake you’ll be treated to exceptional views around the Carson Pass area. From Frog Lake, you can see: Then, as you continue to look…

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Posted in Blog, South Lake Tahoe Hiking Tagged carson pass, south tahoe 4 Comments

Tahoe Rim Trail Thru-Hike (Trail Overview and Photo Album)

January 12, 2020
| 3 Comments
| Blog, East Lake Tahoe Hiking, North Lake Tahoe Hiking, South Lake Tahoe Hiking, Summer Trails, West Lake Tahoe Hiking
Copyright © 2014 Jared Manninen

The Tahoe Rim Trail (TRT) is a 165+ mile trail that travels continuously around the mountainous rim of the Lake Tahoe Basin. Hiking the TRT was my first “thru-hike” since completing the Appalachian Trail (AT) back in 1999. I’ve backpacked plenty since the AT, but not for a continuous end-to-end journey of a specific trail….

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Posted in Blog, East Lake Tahoe Hiking, North Lake Tahoe Hiking, South Lake Tahoe Hiking, Summer Trails, West Lake Tahoe Hiking Tagged multi-day hike, tahoe rim trail, trail journal, trip documenting, trip planning 3 Comments

Hiking Washoe Meadows State Park (via Lake Tahoe BLVD in South Tahoe)

November 12, 2019
| No Comments
| Blog, South Lake Tahoe Hiking, Summer Trails
View of snowy Freel Peak from Washoe Meadows State Park

Washoe Meadows State Park is open year-round. Hike through the park during the warmer months and snowshoe and cross-country ski in the snowy ones. Angora Creek and the Upper Truckee River run through Washoe Meadows State Park. Therefore, much of the park’s terrain is moist and home to many varieties of wildflowers throughout the spring…

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

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

November 12, 2019
| 1 Comment
| 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 1 Comment

Unexpected Refuge: A Lesson in Humor and Humility (8-Page Zine about Backpacking)

November 11, 2019
| No Comments
| Blog, South Lake Tahoe Hiking, Summer Trails
Copyright © 2015 Jared Manninen

A humorous lesson in humility presented to you in a comic book format. I created this zine based on a backpacking trip I took in October of 2015 along the Tahoe Yosemite Trail. Needless to say, the trip was cut short due to heavy rains (and me not being prepared to deal with it!). A full…

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Posted in Blog, South Lake Tahoe Hiking, Summer Trails Tagged trail journal, trip documenting Leave a comment
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Top Tahoe Trail Guide Posts

Making an 8-Page Zine From a Single Sheet of Paper
Short and Easy Hikes in South Lake Tahoe
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
Hiking Frog Lake (via Carson Pass in South Tahoe)
Hiking Emerald Point (north side of Emerald Bay in South Tahoe)
Hiking the Historic Donner Pass Train Tunnels in Truckee, CA

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Recent 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
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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.