TAHOE TRAILS

LAMWATAH TRAIL

This trail starts at the corner of Highway 50 and Kahle Drive, one block east of the Kingsbury Grade. It is approximately 3 miles round trip and goes to Nevada Beach. It is easy and flat, perfect for an afternoon stroll.

EAGLE FALLS-EAGLE LAKE

Trail starts at Eagle Picnic Area, on Highway 89, across from Emerald Bay. It's only two miles round trip to Eagle Lake (only about one third mile to the falls): the trail varies from steep to flat and crosses over beautiful Eagle Falls on a wooden foot bridge.

RUBICON TRAIL

This shoreline route starts in D.L.Bliss State Park, about 13 miles south of Tahoe City on Highway 89. There is paved parking. The trail has moderate ups and downs, following an underdeveloped portion of Lake Tahoe's shore line about 3 miles to the mouth of Emerald Bay. From there it follows the Bay shoreline another 1.5-2 miles to Vikingsholm. (Note: Vikingsholm up to Highway 89 is a steep mile, but the hearty can return along the highway instead of doubling back on the trail.)

TUNNEL CREEK STATION

Trail road starts at Nevada Highway 28, across from Hidden Beach, about one-mile past Ponderosa Ranch(no sign, look for the gate).A steep trail road, about 1.5 miles each way, at the ruins of the western portal of the old log flume tunnel. Parking is limited along Highway 28.

LOCH LEVON LAKES

Three beautiful glacial tarns make up the Lock Levon group. A well graded trail climbs two miles to the first lake, and reaches two more in its next mile. The island-dotted lakes are beautiful and excellent for swimming. Trailhead: Big Bend exit off Interstate 80. Look for the sign "Private Road, Public Trail" across from Big Bend Ranger Station, west of Rainbow Tavern (a good hike if you're headed for Sacramento or the Bay Area at day's end)

MARLETTE LAKE

This trail is via the North Canyon. Trail starts near Spooner Lake Picnic Area, at the junction of Highway 28 and 50 (green metal gate on east side of 28).It's about five miles each way to the lake but it's mostly mild terrain (one full day will do it.) Marlette is a good sized high altitude lake. Years ago, its water was diverted to Incline Village via flume, and used to shoot logs through a tunnel, to Washoe Valley for use in the Virginia City mines. There is no fishing.

BARKER PASS TO TWIN PEAKS

From Highway 89 on West Shore, take Blackwood Canyon Road to Barker Pass. From there the road is called Forest Service Rd. #3.One-third of a mile further is the Pacific Crest Trailhead and parking area. Traveling north approximately three miles takes you to Twin Peaks. The trail has gentle grades and offers excellent views of Lake Tahoe and nice displays of wildflowers.

SUMMIT LAKE

From I-80 take the Castle Peak exit to the south side of the freeway, then travel east about 1/4 mile to the Pacific Crest Trailhead parking area. The trail travels in an easterly direction, and then veers north passing through a tunnel under I-80. Shortly after the underpass, is the intersection with the Summit Lake trail, which is clearly marked.

SKUNK HARBOR

On the lake side of Highway 28, two miles north of where it intersects Highway 50. The hike ends back at the parking area. It is about 3 miles round trip and probably will take about three (3) hours. Make certain to bring water and a swimming suit. The trailhead is unmarked and difficult to spot. If. you're coming from Spooner Summit, at approximately two miles from the junction of Highway 28 and 50, look for a green gate with a "ROAD CLOSED" sign on the lake side of the highway. The road drops down rather abruptly and is not very visible from the highway, but you can usually spot the top of the gate and the "ROAD" portion of the sign. There is a small dirt parking area just south of the gate, but a larger paved pullout several hundred yards up the road provides better parking and a safer place to turn around. The trail runs down to a picturesque cove along Lake Tahoe, some 600 feet below. In summer this cove is an outstanding place to swim or sunbathe.

DARDANELLES LAKE

This trail starts at the Big Meadow Trailhead off Highway 89, approximately 5.5 miles east of the intersection of Highway 89 and Highway 50 at Meyers and ends back at the trailhead. It is about 7 miles round trip and is moderately strenuous. It should not take more than 5 to 6 hours. At the start, the trail is fairly steep, then it levels out with numerous flat stretches and a good mixture of sun and shade. The trail surface is also relatively free of small rocks and can be comfortably hiked in a sturdy pair of running shoes. As of 1991 the marking on the trail does not take you to Dardanelles Lake. Follow the trail through the center of Big Meadow and approximately 1.5 miles beyond until you come to a trail junction at the bottom of a hill with a sign directing you towards Round Lake or Christmas Valley. Turn right towards Christmas Valley. Within several hundred yards, a less noticeable and unsigned trail will lead to your left and cross the creek you've been paralleling. This is the trail to Dardanelles Lake. Once you cross the creek, the trail continues being easy to follow. This is "Meiss" country, named after Benjamin R. Meiss, a turn of the century rancher. The lake itself sits below picturesque granite cliffs. Large rock outcrops provide numerous places from which to sunbathe or swim.

GRASS LAKE

The trail begins about a mile south of Fallen Leaf Lake, at the point where Glen Alpine Road crosses Glen Alpine Creek. It ends back at the parking area. It is a bout 4.5 miles round trip and should not take more than 4 hours. It is a relatively easy trail with a few short uphill stretches. To the first time visitor, all the spur roads off Glen Alpine Road may be a bit confusing, but Grass Lake is easy enough to find. Just follow the homemade "TRAIL" signs along the road and bear left at the Grass Lake- Gilmore Lake trail junction. There are several stream crossings which can be tricky in the spring. Like most hikes in Desolation Wilderness, the trail tread is rocky, so one is advised to wear vibrum-soled shoes. Don't forget your wilderness permit.

CRAG LAKE

The trail begins at the Meeks Bay Trailhead, across from the Meeks Bay Resort, ten miles south of Tahoe City on Highway 89 and ends back at the trailhead. It is about 10 miles round trip and takes between 6 to 8 hours. It is moderately strenuous. There are no killer climbs, but this is an all day hike which, with much of it uphill, will give you a good workout. The first portion of the trail is actually a flat, sandy road which runs along the north side of Meeks Creek. Few trails into Desolation give you an opportunity to loosen up before climbing, so take your time to look at the variety of wildflowers, especially between the road and the creek. After about a mile and a half the road comes to the beginning of the actual trail. The trail veers towards your right and climbs fairly steeply for a 1/2 mile or so, then levels off as it passes through a series of sandy flats and groves of mixed conifer forest. After crossing Meeks Creek, the trail begins to climb along an increasingly open ridge. From here, you can catch a glimpse of Lake Tahoe back towards the east, and below you, Meeks Creek cascades down a narrow gorge. A series of lakes follow, Lake Genevieve, Crag Lake and finally Stony Ridge Lake. Enjoy.!!!!

WILDFLOWER HIKES

NORTH LAKE TAHOE

DONNER LAKE AREA

Just off I-80, west of Truckee. About a two mile walking distance. Flowers: wintergreen, blue-yellow-white porterellas, purple-yellow camas lilies, brown pinedrops.

DONNER PASS-PACIFIC CREST TRAIL

Less than two miles off Highway 89 west of Truckee. Flowers: orange lilies, pink monkey flowers, pink fireweed.

SQUAW VALLEY

West off Highway 89 at Squaw Valley turnoff. 2 mile hiking distance. Flowers: blue gentians, white thimbleberries.

MOUNT ROSE

West of Highway 431 just before the Mt. Rose Summit. 6 mile hiking distance if you want to reach the peak. Flowers: red alpine paintbrush, white-purple lupine, pink fireweed.

WEST SHORE

EAGLE, VELMA AND FONTANILLIS LAKES

Highway 89 at the Emerald Bay Eagle Falls parking lot. 5 mile hiking distance. Flowers: pink and red mountain pride, yellow sulphur flower, white Sierra saxifrage.

CASCADE FALLS TO SNOW LAKE

Highway 8989 at Bayview trailhead. Flowers: purple lupine, pink monkey flowers, purple-yellow camas lilies.

SOUTH SHORE

BIG MEADOW

Off Highway 89 about 8 miles south of Meyers. 2 mile walking distance. Flowers: brown pinedrops, pink monkey flowers, purple columbine.