Tahoe Trail Guide

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

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Category: West Lake Tahoe Hiking

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

June 7, 2020
| 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 powdery snow in the winter and sunshine in the summer. 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

Hiking Meeks Creek Falls (via SR 89 at Meeks Creek in West Tahoe)

June 5, 2020
| 6 Comments
| Blog, Summer Trails, West Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, West Lake Tahoe Hiking, Winter Trails
Two women hiking along the Meek's Creek Trail

The hike to Meeks Creek Falls and around Meeks Creek is easy and provides plenty of solitude. There’s no elevation gain, so it’s perfect for the young and old. Hiking the Meeks Creek Trail as a loop takes you through a couple of micro-ecosystems. You’ll travel along a dirt road, in and out of the…

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Posted in Blog, Summer Trails, West Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, West Lake Tahoe Hiking, Winter Trails Tagged beginner, day hike, short hike, west tahoe 6 Comments

Best Day Hikes of Lake Tahoe

June 4, 2020
| 3 Comments
| East Lake Tahoe Hiking, North Lake Tahoe Hiking, South Lake Tahoe Hiking, Summer Trails, West Lake Tahoe Hiking
Snowy mountains and blue lake at sunrise

Hiking and Lake Tahoe go together like summer and sunshine. And, for good reason. Lake Tahoe is rimmed by beautiful and easily accessible mountains and forests. Countless miles of open space are located within the Lake Tahoe Basin, as well as the surrounding areas. In fact, in every direction you’ll find either a National Forest,…

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Posted in East Lake Tahoe Hiking, North Lake Tahoe Hiking, South Lake Tahoe Hiking, Summer Trails, West Lake Tahoe Hiking Tagged day hike, east tahoe, north tahoe, south tahoe, west tahoe 3 Comments

Tips for Spring Hiking in the Mountains at Lake Tahoe

May 3, 2020
| No Comments
| 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 long days and warm 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 Leave a comment

Considerations for Spring Hiking and Backpacking at Lake Tahoe

March 6, 2020
| 5 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 Tahoe in the spring is paradise. The days are becoming longer and the sun is 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 visit your favorite peaks, find 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 5 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

Companionship in Desolation Wilderness (6-Page Comic)

November 11, 2019
| 2 Comments
| Backcountry Skills, Blog, West Lake Tahoe Hiking
Copyright © 2012 Jared Manninen

Presented here is a short black and white comic I created about an overnight backpacking trip I took into Desolation Wilderness with a former girlfriend back in 2012. Although our relationship did not last and the backpacking trip was only two days, the experience was rewarding. One of the reasons I enjoyed the trip was…

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Posted in Backcountry Skills, Blog, West Lake Tahoe Hiking Tagged desolation wilderness, trail journal, trip documenting, west tahoe 2 Comments

Hiking Eagle Rock (via SR 89 in West Tahoe)

November 11, 2019
| No Comments
| Blog, Summer Trails, West Lake Tahoe Hiking
Copyright © 2018 Jared Manninen

In spite of the very low effort and short distance required to hike to Eagle Rock, it’s well worth your time. I’ve driven past Eagle Rock a thousand times before and have always wondered whether or not I should stop to check it out. The answer is an enthusiastic “yes.” Hiking to Eagle Rock is…

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Posted in Blog, Summer Trails, West Lake Tahoe Hiking Tagged short hike, west tahoe 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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      • Short South Tahoe Hikes
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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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  • All Winter Tahoe Trails
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Top Tahoe Trail Guide Posts

Hiking the Historic Donner Pass Train Tunnels in Truckee, CA
Short and Easy Hikes in South Lake Tahoe
Considerations for Spring Hiking and Backpacking at Lake Tahoe
Best Day Hikes of Lake Tahoe
Hiking Emerald Point (via north side of Emerald Bay in South Tahoe)
Hiking Rubicon Trail (via Emerald Bay in South Tahoe)
Vikingsholm: A Brief History (Nordic Castle at Emerald Bay)
Birds of Lake Tahoe: Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)
Hiking Meeks Creek Falls (via SR 89 at Meeks Creek in West Tahoe)
Hiking Cascade Falls (via Bayview Trailhead near Emerald Bay in South Tahoe)

Backcountry Skills Articles

  • All Backcountry Skills Articles
    • Trip Planninng
    • Trip Documenting
    • XC Skiing Explained
    • Snowshoeing Basics
    • Gear Maintenance
  • History
    • Natural History
    • Local History
  • All Tahoe Trail Guide Articles (published chronologically)

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Recent Tahoe Trail Guide Posts

  • Hiking Round Lake (via Big Meadow Trailhead near Luther Pass in South Tahoe)
  • Hiking Dardanelles Lake (via South Upper Truckee RD at Christmas Valley in South Tahoe)
  • 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
  • XC Skiing Explained (Part 4): Classic Cross-Country Ski Bindings
Nothing says you care quite like the gift of a ... Nothing says you care quite like the gift of a ... stick 😆
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Osprey building a nest 😍
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Still keeping the dream alive, one patch of snow a Still keeping the dream alive, one patch of snow at a time 😆
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Watch my latest (17th) cross-country skiing VLOG of the 2020-21 winter at YouTube.com/JaredManninen
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Current mood. ... with a week left of working at t Current mood. ... with a week left of working at the cross-country ski center 🤡
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American White Pelican sporting a breeding horn.
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Morning conditions were firm and fast while the af Morning conditions were firm and fast while the afternoon was hot and sloppy. Overall, though, it was a great day to be xc skiing in the backcountry ❄😊❄
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Popular Tahoe Trail Guide Posts

  • Hiking Round Lake (via Big Meadow Trailhead near Luther Pass in South Tahoe)
  • Hiking Dardanelles Lake (via South Upper Truckee RD at Christmas Valley in South Tahoe)
  • 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
  • XC Skiing Explained (Part 4): Classic Cross-Country Ski Bindings
  • Snowshoeing on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe
  • 5 Reasons to Love Snowshoeing

Lake Tahoe Trails

  • Tahoe Trails Overview
  • All Summer Tahoe Trails
    • North Lake Tahoe Hiking
    • South Lake Tahoe Hiking
      • Short South Tahoe Hikes
    • East Lake Tahoe Hiking
    • West Lake Tahoe Hiking
  • All Winter Tahoe Trails
    • North Lake Tahoe XC Skiing and Snowshoeing
    • South Lake Tahoe XC Skiing and Snowshoeing
    • 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 © 2016-2020 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.”