Hiking In Lake Tahoe

I am so fortunate to live in such a beautiful area with so many miles of gorgeous Sierra Nevada Wilderness to explore. There are enough hiking trails on Lake Tahoe’s North and East shore to keep an avid hiker like myself busy for years. There are so many trails that you can choose from based on your preference of scenery, location, elevation, distance and difficulty. These trails are all delightful in their own way. The striking great outdoors trails of the Northern Sierra Nevada are the best way to enjoy these mountains. So, pack up your gear and head out for a fabulous day in the Sierras!

Marlette Lake Trail
A great hike if you want to pack a lunch and take a leisurely hike. This up hill hike leads you through picturesque north canyon, lined with aspens, and many varieties of wild-flowers to Marlette Lake Dam. This trail provides wonderful views of the Carson Valley
as well as beautiful views of Lake Tahoe. Just before Snow Peak, the trail forks. The left fork leads you down steep switch backs to the road to Marlette Lake. The right fork eventually leads you to Tunnel Creek. This is a human-made reservoir. This is also a popular biking trail. If you want to continue on with this trail and make it more of a challenge then you can keep going until you end up at Tunnel Creek. As with any hike be prepared with lots of water. Hydration is very important at this elevation. The elevation is 7000’/8600’. It is 5 miles to Marlette Lake and 13 miles to Tunnel Creek. I really recommend this hike especially in the fall when the aspens change colors. It is spectacular.

Mt. Rose
Not to be confused with the ski area by the same name, Mt. Rose is one of the North Shore’s three 10,000 feet plus peaks. This is a great hike with lots of turns, small drops, rocky staircases, and a number of technical rocky spots. You will be amazed by the vast and panoramic views of Lake Tahoe. Mt. Rose at 10,778 feet is one of the highest peaks in the Lake Tahoe region. Only minutes from Incline Village, this hike offers beautiful meadows filled with lupine, paint brush and larkspur wildflowers in June and July. This round trip hike is 12 miles, quit strenuous, but well worth it!

Skunk Harbor
No, this does not mean that it stinks of skunks. Much of history of Lake Tahoe was shaped by the gold and silver mining rushes of the 1850’. This is also the case of Skunk Harbor. This is a great short walk, only 3 miles round trip, through a mixed conifer forest with filtered views of Lake Tahoe along the way. Look for remains of an old railroad grade along the way, built in the 1870s as part of the network to supply timber to Virginia City. Bring your beach towel as this leads you to a small picturesque cove which offers swimming and sunbathing in the summer. The elevation is 6,228 feet to 6,800 feet. This hike is less then a 10 minute drive from Incline Village. This is an easy hike and the road is stroller friendly, but don’t forget when you go down, you must eventually go up. The hiking trails that I just highlighted as well as many of the other trails hook up to one of the most world’s premier trails….. THE TAHOE RIM TRAIL…

Tahoe Rim Trail
The Tahoe Rim Trail is a 165-mile path that traverses the ridgeline of Lake Tahoe’s crown of peaks. The rim trail offers sweeping views of the Lake and much of it is accessible to everyone from casual day hikers to hardcore backpackers. The Tahoe Rim Trail offers some of the best options as it can be accessed from anywhere around the lake or surrounding areas. You can enjoy a nice day trip from any Tahoe Rim trailheads by simply going out in one direction for as long as you can and then turning around and returning to your car. The Rim Trail is sorted by location so you can start from any point around the lake. I love this hike. I usually start this hike at Tunnel Creek; it goes up three miles and connects to the Rim. It’s great for a short run up hill if you want a challenge. This trail offers something for everyone.

Hiking and Backpacking Tips
You don’t have to be a wilderness survival expert to go off tramping through the woods but you do need to always be prepared. The best weather in the morning here in Tahoe can change rapidly, so dress accordingly. Extra layers are always good. Bring plenty of water, high energy bars, sun glasses, bandages, matches, sunscreen, a whistle and a hat. Oh, and a partner for those long hikes. If you plan on going on a long day hike, it is always a good idea to bring a compass. Always let someone know where you are going and how long you will be gone. I know what it’s like carrying all these things, so putting them in a fanny pack is a good idea. Even though you don’t want to bring that CELL PHONE it is still a good idea. Most important is footwear. It is essential to make sure they are comfortable…So be prepared and have a great day!!! That’s all folks…

This article appeared in the May/June issue of the Coldwell Banker E-Newsletter

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