Recommended Articles
FAQs about Waxing Your Waxless Cross-Country Skis
This article answers your questions about waxing waxless cross-country skis! Pretty obvious considering that title, right? Well, I felt compelled to write this FAQ as a stand-alone article because, over the years, I’ve been frequently asked the same questions about waxing waxless… Read More
Overview of Off-Track and Backcountry Cross-Country Ski Gear
Cabin fever can affect the best of us during the winter. So, many people feel an inherent need to get outside and explore the world around them when the snow starts to accumulate. Traveling into the backcountry via cross-country skis can fulfill… Read More
Buying Cross-Country Ski Gear, for Beginners (Part 1): Intention, Types of XC Skis, and Whether to Buy New or Used
“I’m new to cross-country skiing. What type of skis should I buy?” Or, “Since I’m new to cross-country skiing, should I just buy a used set of skis?” People have asked me these questions countless times over the years. As a cross-country… Read More
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
If you would’ve told me years ago that I was going to own multiple pairs of cross-country skis and sets of skis boots, I would’ve laughed. And then had you told me that I’d also own a full wax kit, wax profile,… Read More
Buying Cross-Country Ski Gear, for Beginners (Part 3): Can One Set of Classic Cross-Country Skis Work for Groomed and Off-Track XC Skiing?
The question of whether or not there exists one set of cross-country skis that’ll allow you to ski in all conditions is on the mind of every person buying their first set of skis. And, for good reason. People want to maximize… Read More
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?
New cross-country skiers looking to buy gear for the first time consistently ask me two questions. The first is whether or not they can buy one set of skis to use on groomed and backcountry terrain. My answer to that question is… Read More
Tahoe Trails Overview
Lake Tahoe, on a global scale, is considered a single location. However, we locals refer to places around Lake Tahoe as being on one of the four shores (north, south, east, or west). Believe it or not, you can spend between 3-4 hours driving around the 72-mile circumference of Lake Tahoe depending on traffic, weather, construction, and special events.
I’ve categorized all of the hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing trails as being located in one of those four cardinal categories.
Summer Tahoe Trails
Summers at Lake Tahoe are about as good as it gets. You can expect warm, sunny days and cool, clear nights. The hiking trails at Lake Tahoe are just as ideal. Along them you can travel near Lake Tahoe, across open meadows, through alpine forests, and well above treeline.
As you would expect, most trails featured on Tahoe Trail Guide are along established and maintained hiking trails. They range from short family fun hikes to all-day hikes. In some cases, you’ll find multi-day hikes (i.e. for backpacking). There are also some trails featured on the website that are less of an actual trail and more of a route. Those that fall into this latter category are suggested only for the ambitious and experienced hikers who possess land navigation skills.
No matter the geography and regardless of the classification of summer Tahoe hiking trail you choose, you’re sure to have an excellent outdoor adventure with exceptional views.
Because Lake Tahoe is essentially considered four different locations by Tahoe locals (think the four cardinal points – north, south, east, west), for easy navigation choose the location of hiking trail in your neck of the woods.
Update: Coronavirus
Please note that in the current Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic environment, traveling into the backcountry is risky. Backcountry travel has the potential to place great and unnecessary strains on emergency medical services. Thru-hikers and other backcountry travelers who happen to be carriers of COVID-19 could pass along the virus to smaller, trail towns that have limited medical services. Also note that most Lake Tahoe businesses and recreation locations are operating under modified conditions (mask wearing requirements, social distancing, take-out only restaurants…). Know before you go (i.e. search online or call) to determine whether or not your intended destination is closed or operating under alternative procedures.
Winter Tahoe Trails
Winters at Lake Tahoe are a dream. In-between long stretches of bluebird days, you’ll experience epic snowstorms that can yield multiple feet of fresh, powdery snow (like pictured here!). During a normal winter at Lake Tahoe, you can count on cross-country skiing and snowshoeing from December to April. In above average winters, you may find yourself cross-country skiing and snowshoeing well into May, or even June! Therefore, if you want to visit the Lake Tahoe backcountry during the winter (and spring) months, plan to do it on skis or snowshoes.
Because so much snow falls across the Lake Tahoe region, think of the winter trails featured here on Tahoe Trail Guide more as routes. Many of these winter “trails” do follow established hiking trails. However, when the ground is covered in snow there’s no point in strictly sticking to those trails. For winter travel at Lake Tahoe, give yourself permission to color outside the lines. That said, definitely read carefully the parking and travel directions here on Tahoe Trail Guide (they generally differ than during the summer), as well as study any and all relevant maps for the area in which you’ll be adventuring.
Lake Tahoe locals generally consider Lake Tahoe to be four different locations (think the four cardinal points – north, south, east, west), so navigate below to the location of cross-country ski and snowshoe trails in your desired location.
Tahoe Trails Overview
Lake Tahoe, on a global scale, is considered a single location. However, we locals refer to places around Lake Tahoe as being on one of the four shores (north, south, east, or west). Believe it or not, you can spend between 3-4 hours driving around the 72-mile circumference of Lake Tahoe depending on traffic, weather, construction, and special events.
So, I’ve categorized all of the hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing trails as being located in one of those four cardinal categories. See the map on the official Tahoe Trails Overview page for how I’ve defined those areas, as well as how I’ve categorized and tagged the trails featured on this site.
Support Services
Tahoe Trails
The multi-day hikes featured on Tahoe Trail Guide will generally be longer than 12 miles. Most people can cover more ground in a day, but 12 miles in one day is usually plenty for the average hiker and backpacker. Therefore, anything longer than 12 miles will be considered part of a multi-day hike.
These day hikes are between 5-12 miles long. The average hiker doesn’t usually plan to hike more than a dozen miles in one day. Depending on circumstances such as elevation gain, weather, and snow pack some of the longer family fun hikes could be considered day hikes as well. Since the Tahoe region is located in the...
“Where’s a good place to go hiking?” was the most common question Jared was asked while working for a few years at a backpacking store in South Lake Tahoe. This isn’t surprising, but it could be a challenge to answer when the person asking was standing beside their eight year old son and 80 year old mother. For...
Test Blog
FAQs about Waxing Your Waxless Cross-Country Skis
This article answers your questions about waxing waxless cross-country skis! Pretty obvious considering that title, right? Well, I felt compelled to write this FAQ as a stand-alone article because, over the years, I’ve been frequently asked the same questions about waxing waxless… Read More
Overview of Off-Track and Backcountry Cross-Country Ski Gear
Cabin fever can affect the best of us during the winter. So, many people feel an inherent need to get outside and explore the world around them when the snow starts to accumulate. Traveling into the backcountry via cross-country skis can fulfill… Read More
Buying Cross-Country Ski Gear, for Beginners (Part 1): Intention, Types of XC Skis, and Whether to Buy New or Used
“I’m new to cross-country skiing. What type of skis should I buy?” Or, “Since I’m new to cross-country skiing, should I just buy a used set of skis?” People have asked me these questions countless times over the years. As a cross-country… Read More
Contact
[contact-form-7 id=”105″ title=”Contact form 1″]
About
Tahoe Trail Guide’s mission is to provide information, education, and inspiration for all people seeking to recreate outdoors
Tahoe Trail Guide is an information hub that’ll inspire and assist you when planning hikes, backpacking trips, cross-country ski tours, and snowshoe excursions at Lake Tahoe and in the surrounding Sierra Nevada Mountains. Unique aspects of Tahoe Trail Guide include:
• Detailed trail data for the Lake Tahoe Region
• Trip planning recommendations and tips on documenting your adventure
• Universal lessons, knowledge, and etiquette about backcountry travel
• Articles about the natural and local history of the Lake Tahoe Region
• Stories from the backcountry and tales from the trail
• Inspiring and unique imagery of the Lake Tahoe Region
Click the Tahoe Trails Overview link to see a map of how I organize the Lake Tahoe region (north, south, east, west), as well as how I’ve categorized and tagged the trails featured on Tahoe Trail Guide.
Tahoe Trail Guide launched in 2017, and was created by Tahoe local and avid outdoorsman, Jared “Schoolboy” Manninen. In addition to being an artist and author, I’m an Appalachian Trail thru-hiker (1999) and Tahoe Rim Trail thru-hiker (2014). I’m also a Wilderness First Responder (2019), PSIA Cross Country Ski Instructor (2020), Leave No Trace Trainer (2020), and CA Naturalist (2020).
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.