Tahoe Trail Guide

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

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Tag: day hike

Hiking Round Lake (via Big Meadow Trailhead near Luther Pass in South Tahoe)

March 1, 2021
| 4 Comments
| Blog, South Lake Tahoe Hiking, Summer Trails
Sunset at Round Lake

The hike to Round Lake is not a secret Tahoe hike by any means. However, it’s definitely a Tahoe local’s favorite (especially for quick overnight backpacking trips). Why? Because it’s so close to town. And, yet, it’s out of the way just enough that you feel as though you were hiking a remote backcountry trail….

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Posted in Blog, South Lake Tahoe Hiking, Summer Trails Tagged big meadow trailhead, christmas valley, day hike, south tahoe 4 Comments

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

Hiking the Historic Donner Pass Train Tunnels in Truckee, CA

July 6, 2020
| 9 Comments
| Blog, North Lake Tahoe Hiking, Summer Trails
Hiker walking through old train tunnels with graffiti on the walls

The railroad tunnels on Donner Pass provide, unquestionably, one of the most unique hiking experiences at Lake Tahoe. The Donner Pass train tunnels are fun for the whole family, particularly younger kids who find playing in the dark thrilling. But with that darkness comes the inherent risk of tripping and falling. So, bring with you…

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Posted in Blog, North Lake Tahoe Hiking, Summer Trails Tagged day hike, short hike 9 Comments

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

Hiking Mount Tallac (via Mount Tallac Trailhead at SR 89 in South Tahoe)

May 31, 2020
| 12 Comments
| Blog, South Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, South Lake Tahoe Hiking, Summer Trails, Winter Trails
Man with camera and brimmed hat on mountain summit overlooking Lake Tahoe

The hike up Mount Tallac is one of the most iconic hikes of the Lake Tahoe Basin. Therfore, in my opinon, Tallac should be on your short list of mountains to hike when you’re at Lake Tahoe. That said, the hike is not for the faint of heart. The Mount Tallac trail features roughly 3,500…

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Posted in Blog, South Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, South Lake Tahoe Hiking, Summer Trails, Winter Trails Tagged advanced, day hike, desolation wilderness, multi-day hike, ski tour, south tahoe 12 Comments

Hiking Mount Rose (via Mount Rose HWY/SR 431 near Incline Village, NV)

May 19, 2020
| No Comments
| Blog, North Lake Tahoe Hiking, Summer Trails
Mountains of layers of blue

If you’re looking for a spectacular day hike in North Lake Tahoe, look no further than the Mount Rose hiking trail. With a summit elevation of 10,776 feet, Mount Rose is the third tallest peak in the Lake Tahoe Basin. The Mt Rose hiking trail is well-traveled and said to be the most popular hiking…

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Posted in Blog, North Lake Tahoe Hiking, Summer Trails Tagged day hike, north tahoe Leave a comment

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
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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)

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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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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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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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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

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