Cold Creek Trail is a multi-use trail that accommodates hikers and mountain bikers and connects with other trails further up the draw.
The Cold Creek Trail doesn’t offer spectacular views but it’s flanked on either side by mountainous walls creating one of the best things about this trail, which is that within a minute of hiking there are few indications you’re still in civilization.
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Also, due to its close proximity to Cold Creek, the trail offers many places in which to dip your toes during the warmer months.
Although I wouldn’t necessarily add this hike to your Lake Tahoe bucket list, it’s a great little trail that’s close by if you’re staying anywhere near Pioneer Trail.
Cold Creek Trail Data (approximations):
- Location: South Tahoe – Pioneer Trail
- Category of Hike: Short Hike, Day Hike
- Total Mileage: 2.5 miles
- Total Elevation Gain: 300 feet
- Highest Point: 6,565 feet
- Trail Conditions: Hard-packed sand
For other shorter hiking options, visit Short and Easy Hikes in South Lake Tahoe.
Considerations for Hiking Cold Creek Trail:
- Parking at the water substation gate is OK, but don’t block the gate
- Dogs are allowed, but keep them on leash and pick up after them
- Adhere to all Leave No Trace principles
- There are few trail signs and markers on public lands in the Tahoe region, so unless there are tracks to follow, the correct route may be difficult to identify–when in doubt, turn back
- Be prepared for inclement weather and carry plenty of warm clothes, food, and water
- Leave an itinerary of your plans with someone who’ll call emergency services if you don’t return by your prescribed time
Parking Directions for the Cold Creek Hiking Trail:
Parking at the water substation entrance (be sure you don’t block the gate) on Pioneer Trail between the roads named Cold Creek Trail and High Meadow Trail is what many people do when hiking the Cold Creek Trail. The substation is 4.5 miles from HWY 50 in Meyers and 3.25 miles from HWY 50 near Stateline. Parking is very limited.
The trailhead to Cold Creek Trail is at the water substation on Pioneer Trail (road).
For an alternative location at which to park, you can drive up High Meadow Trail (road) southwest from the water substation. At the end of High Meadow Trail (road) you’ll find the trailhead. As usual, don’t block the gate.
Beginning at this location dramatically shortens the distance and elevation gain of your hike to Cold Creek, so essentially it’s a different trail compared to what this article is about. But if the parking is packed at the water substation, this is your best optional access point.
Here’s a map to assist you in finding the parking area for accessing the Cold Creek Hiking Trail at the water substation.
Travel along the Cold Creek Hiking Trail:
On Pioneer Trail at the water substation, between the roads named Cold Creek Trail and High Meadow Trail, you’ll find the trailhead for Cold Creek Trail.
Cold Creek Trail immediately heads upward from the substation, so be prepared for the elevation gain. Also, this is a common exit point for many mountain bikers, so keep an eye looking uphill while hiking because bikers may be riding downhill toward you.
Since the Cold Creek Trail basically heads up a forested draw, you won’t be treated to any long views or panoramic scenes. However, this is also one of the trail’s endearing qualities, which is that despite the fact it’s close to some neighborhoods along Pioneer Trail you’ll feel like you’re deep into the mountains. The high walls on either side of the trail shield the immediate area from any road noise.
At 1.25 miles there is a natural turnaround point with a beautifully constructed bridge that spans Cold Creek. This spot also happens to be a nexus of trails, namely Cold Creek Trail, Powerline Trail, and High Meadow Road. Powerline Trail is mostly a traverse and it does offer some glimpses of Lake Tahoe, so head along that trail if you have the time.
For other shorter hiking options, visit Short and Easy Hikes in South Lake Tahoe.
The Cold Creek Trail is appropriate for snowshoeing in the winter, but not favorable for cross-country skiing as there are a number of large granite boulders along the trail and some steep windy sections to negotiate.
Do you have other insight, feedback, or trail updates about hiking Cold Creek Trail?
If so, please post it in the comment section below for the benefit of everybody 🙂
Thanks for the info.I have a map that shows a road high Meadows road goes all the way up almost to the Tahoe rim trail taking a small trail at the dead end and I was wondering if that was Cold Creek trail trying to get the shortest way to go to Star lake for an overnighter
Hey Cindy,
Thanks for getting in touch. Yes, I believe that Cold Creek Trail just goes straight up to Star Lake. And, Star Lake happens to be right off of the Tahoe Rim Trail. What your talking about doing is a fairly common trip locals will take for a quick overnight.
Enjoy, and let me know if you get any good sunset pictures 🙂
Thank you so much for providing such a detailed guide for us day hikers! An acquaintance told me about this trail and I have been trying to find it without any luck. I have several hiking books for the area but they mostly assume you can just drive right up and find the trailhead, which is seldom the case, at least for me. Your website is such a great resource for those of us love hiking but need additional information to be able to actually get on the trail! Thank you! This really was so helpful.
Hey Day Hiker,
I appreciate the feedback! I’m not a huge fan of guidebooks and other hiking websites that spend a lot of time/words on the “in-between” stuff (i.e. describing every foot of the trail). If there’s any major considerations or points of interest along the way, I try to include them. But ultimately once you’re on most of the hiking trails at Lake Tahoe, they’re relatively easy to navigate. Just finding the trailhead, however, can be the biggest challenge to the hike! So I’ve tried to be as meticulous as possible about describing where to park and start the hikes featured on Tahoe Trail Guide. So, again, thanks for the kind words. And I’m glad you’re finding the site useful 🙂
Thanks for your information Jared! My husband and I are gradually getting back into hiking, he just retired from the UCD system. We will be in Tahoe 8/5/19 to 8/7/19. I picked out two hikes, one to do the afternoon of 8/5 when we get there: the Cold Creek Trail – picked because we are staying at a cabin on Pioneer Trail. The other for Tuesday will be the Emerald Point trail. I figured that it would be really scenic and not too long. I really appreciate the descriptions and maps.
Hey Susan,
Thanks so much for the kind words and feedback. Glad I could be of service. As far as the Cold Creek Trail goes, just know that it’s not necessarily the most scenic one around. But it’ll be a good warm-up and workout. And, depending where you’ll be staying on Pioneer Trail, it’ll be close. Depending on your level of fitness, you can hike higher up the mountain in the direction of High Meadow or you could turn on Powerline Trail once you reach that bridge area. The Powerline Trail option is more of a traverse and has some filtered views looking toward Lake Tahoe. The Emerald Point hike offers much greater views since you’ll be down at lake level and hiking along it. Again, keep in mind that hiking to actual Emerald Point will require a little off-trail hike through the forest, but it’s nothing too difficult. I recommend hiking a little further north of Emerald Point along the Rubicon Trail for some more fantastic views of Lake Tahoe. Definitely hike around Vikingsholm Castle in Emerald Bay if you have the time. And if you have a surplus of time, try and take one of the tours of Vikingsholm Castle. Totally worth it.
Thanks again for the feedback!