Your Online Resource for Hiking, Backpacking, Cross-Country Skiing, and Snowshoeing at Lake Tahoe
“Beginner’s mind” is a phrase that was used often during my dozen years of active training in the Japanese martial art of Aikido. The phrase originated with Zen Buddhism and denotes an approach to learning or, in a broad sense, experiencing life with an open mind and a willingness to embrace the new, unknown, and…
People call me weird and bizarre. Some even say possessed. They look at me as if I’d lost all connection with reality as I sit eating my lunch at the local sandwich shop while still wearing my cross-country ski boots. Later in the day I call my best friend to tell him about the morning’s…
When springtime rolls around and normal people are tending gardens, cleaning garages, and planning summer hikes, we mountain folk are still out cross-country skiing, alpine skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing. “How can that be?” you ask. “Aren’t all the Lake Tahoe ski resorts closed by March or April?” Many groomed ski areas at Lake Tahoe do,…
Snowshoes, or some version of them, have been around for thousands of years. For most people today, however, their use is less about survival and more for recreation. And even though the technology used in the design of contemporary snowshoes is superior to those of antiquity, the goal is the same – enable a person…
Hiking the loop around Spooner Lake is entertaining and educational. The views are mostly restricted to Spooner Lake and the neighboring forest, but the lake is host to an abundance of wildlife and wildflowers. Additionally, there are multiple infographics along the trail that feature information and imagery about the history of the Spooner Lake area…
The hike to South Camp Peak probably isn’t in the top five trails to hike at Lake Tahoe, and it may not even be in the top ten. However, I would argue that it’s about as exceptional a hike as any at Lake Tahoe. Parking is abundant (and free), the trail is easy to navigate,…
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. For months you’ve weathered fierce winter storms and now you’re ready to hit those famed Tahoe hiking trails to visit your favorite peaks, find unique and vibrant wildflowers, and…
Although I have tons of experience backpacking throughout the year, I’ve only winter camped a handful of times. In March of 2016, I completed my first cross-country ski overnight tour. The route I skied was only 13 total miles (split up over two days), but I had such a blast that I planned to complete…
Traveling through Lake Tahoe’s backcountry is always rewarding because the experience never fails to offer stunning views and plenty of character building opportunities. However, adventuring in the Lake Tahoe region during the winter presents additional obstacles (literally and figuratively) that you must overcome in order to return home safely. The following considerations may seem excessive…