Your Online Resource for Hiking, Backpacking, Cross-Country Skiing, and Snowshoeing at Lake Tahoe
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,…
During my first summer of living at Lake Tahoe I took a mountaineering course offered through Lake Tahoe Community College’s wilderness education program. The course was a fantastic way in which to learn more about the new outdoor playground that I found myself living in. I moved to Lake Tahoe in the fall of 2005,…
The hike to Emerald Point is an absolute dream. The trail contours the north side of picturesque Emerald Bay, it’s relatively short at 5-6 miles (out-and-back), there’s only about 500 feet of total elevation gain to negotiate, and access to the trailhead is simple. The drawbacks to hiking the trail to Emerald Point are that…
When visiting Emerald Bay, or driving around it, the island sitting in the middle of the bay is what tends to draw the eyes of both first-time visitors and long-time Lake Tahoe locals. Fannette Island, as it’s called, is the most recognizable feature of Emerald Bay and happens to be the only island located in…
The hike to Eagle Point is an out-and-back route approximately 8 miles long and features between 1,200-1,400 feet of total elevation gain. The views are incredible the entire hike as you will pass Vikingsholm and then contour the southern side of Emerald Bay. During this traverse along the bay you will be treated to multiple…
The hike to the Eagle Point Campground Vista Point (featuring a wooden sitting bench) is more like an after-dinner walk you’d take with your toddler than an actual hike. That’s not to say this short trip isn’t worth your while. In fact, I would say the ends justify the means in this case. For very…
The hike to Cascade Falls is a favorite by both Tahoe locals and visitors to Lake Tahoe. The trail is short and mostly flat, but offers up-close seating to Cascade Falls, as well as a beautifully layered view of Cascade Lake, Lake Tahoe, and the eastern shore of Lake Tahoe. The ideal time to see Cascade…
The Rubicon Trail is a picturesque hiking trail located on the southwest corner of Lake Tahoe. It contours the shoreline from Emerald Bay to D.L. Bliss State Park and boasts long, continuous panoramic views of Lake Tahoe. From aspects of the trail on its south end you can see many prominent locations of South Tahoe,…
The hike down to Vikingsholm is, for all intents and purposes, a requirement when stopping at Emerald Bay. The distance is short and the trail is wide, but in that short distance you’ll be descending (and then ascending on the return hike) nearly 500 vertical feet. Don’t let this discourage you from visiting Vikingsholm, however….