Winnemucca Lake in winter

The trail from Carson Pass to beautiful 9,000 foot Winnemucca Lake is an area favorite, known for its gorgeous wildflowers and excellent views. This is a great hike for photographers, because of the picture perfect scenery, and people with dogs, because of the small elevation change and rewarding sights. If you are planning to take pictures on your way, the sun will be on your left if you start in the morning and on your right in the afternoon, as you progress roughly south-southwest to Winnemucca Lake. The moderate 4.2 mile out and back hike begins with a gentle climb through the forest featuring filtered glimpses of Round Top Mountain. About a half mile into the hike, Frog Lake will appear on your left, marking the end of the elevation change. A few different varieties of flowers can be found here. On the hillside to the west of the lake, you can find rare Wood Roses on occasion, and you can see a big field of wild iris if you circle around to the east side of the lake.

From this point on all the way to Winnemucca Lake, you’re in an open area, brimming with vibrant, colorful wildflowers. Scarlet gilia, Indian paintbrush, blue flax, sierra lilies, and numerous other species are scattered as far as the eye can see. As the trail edges along the western flank of Elephant’s Back, there are a few flowing streams and wet areas where you can encounter lupine, columbine, monkeyflower, and, if you’re lucky, small blue butterflies called Melissa Blues. Soon you’ll reach Winnemucca Lake, a great place for swimming, fishing, a lunch break, or letting the dogs play. This is a great place to explore and climb large boulders. The north face of Round Top Mountain falls into the lake, and another field of iris is located to the northwest of the lake. There is a trail that goes along the north side of the lake, and for extreme hikers, you can also reach Round Top Lake and Fourth of July Lake for about an 8.8 mile hike.

To get to Woods Lake Campground, where the trail begins, take Highway 88 east. After passing Kirkwood Ski Resort and Caples Lake, but before you reach Carson Pass, look for the campground on your right. Follow the road to the day use parking lot. It’s generally a good idea to arrive early, as this is a popular hike and parking has a tendency to fill up fast.

California: Tahoe Region: Round Top & Winnemucca Lake

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Among the foothills of the Granite Chief Wilderness sprawls the Five Lakes Trail – an absolutely stunning and contemplative hike featuring five beautiful alpine lakes. Although this is a very popular one, the lakes allow you some solitude. It’s a moderate 5 mile out-and-back hike round trip. The beginning of the trail starts out with a steep ascent, but it will even out in the second half of the hike. Approximately 1,000 feet is gained total. The first part of the hike is comprised of forested switchbacks with views of the Alpine Meadows Ski Area on your left. This is the most difficult section of the trek, surrounded by a thicket of Manzanita, mule ear, and snowberry, turning into a forest of Jeffrey Pines as you climb. Here you’ll come to a narrow traverse on the side of the open sandstone and granite canyon, where a priceless panorama of jagged ridge line splays before you. There are also some very unique and interesting rock formations at this point.

As the trail eases up, you will come to the edge of the Granite Chief Wilderness. The rewarding sights start with a massive granite wall, small streamlets snaking down in the spring and summer into tranquil lakes. Step into the cool blue water and cool off. These unnamed forest-rimmed lakes are a great place to swim, picnic, sunbathe, play fetch with Fido (this is a great dog hike), or even fish. You can clearly see Squaw Mountain rising up behind the waters. The largest lake, also considered the prettiest of the five, is the last one you come to. With fir trees abound, boulders surrounding, and a backdrop of the tip of the ridge, you’ll definitely be able to see why. Kids like to go rock hopping here, and the boulders are also an excellent sunbathing spot.

You can also camp at Five Lakes if you’re backpacking, though not within 600 feet of the lakes. By mid July, the trip will be snow free and the lakes will be at their peak. To get to the trailhead, take Interstate 80 to Highway 89 south to Tahoe City. After 9.5 miles, turn right on Alpine Meadows Road. Drive 2.1 miles to the trailhead on the right, across Deer Park Drive.

Summit view from Mt. Judah

This is a 4.6 mile loop that climbs the northeast face of Mt. Judah for some of the most impressive vistas in northern Tahoe Sierra. The recently popular Mt. Judah Loop Trail cuts off the Pacific Crest Trail and follows the contours of the mountain. First it ascends moderately onto a scenic Jeep road near Coldstream Pass, then enters an aqueous area which brightens with varieties of pretty wildflowers in the spring and summer. As one might expect, this is the best time for the hike, also because spring and summer are the only times in which the mountain is clear of snow. Advantageous view points are abundant along the trail on the way up, as is the magnificently rugged terrain around Donner Pass. Outside the Judah entrance at Sugar Bowl Resort, the path climbs quickly and opens up to views of Lake Mary down below, tucked neatly inside mountain peaks.

The views don’t stop there; as you continue on in the Sugar Bowl Resort area and then head up towards the peak, you’ll be afforded excellent tableaus of shimmering Donner Lake. You’ll also see Mt. Rose, Truckee, and Coldstream Canyon immediately before you, and in summer the east side of Mt. Judah is dotted with lush purple Rock Fringe flowers. The trail then veers along the crest of the mountain top for an awe-inspiring panorama – Anderson Peak and Timber Knob to the south, and Castle Peak and Sierra Buttes rising up in the north. Before the loop connects back to the Pacific Crest Trail, it goes past Roller Pass, where signs tell the story of this significant point, its early settlers, and their difficult journey.

Eastbound and westbound drivers; take I-80′s Soda Springs exit and drive 4 miles along former Highway 40 to Donner Pass. Those at the west shore of Donner Pass can make a winding climb of a similar distance west to the pass. From the pass, drive 0.2 miles south on a paved road to where it bends west. Here, a pole-line road starts east, reaching a private road in 40 yards where it forks right. Park in this vicinity if you can, but since it’s open to a few cars at most and popular, you may have to park along one of the old highway’s turnouts.

Horsetail Falls

If you’ve ever taken Highway 50 to South Lake Tahoe, then chances are you’ve seen a gushing waterfall to the north just as you’re approaching Echo Pass Summit. This spectacular fall is Horsetail Falls, created by Pyramid Creek flowing down the steep glacier carved granite faces of Desolation Wilderness. This is a short but difficult hike that should only be attempted by sure-footed, seasoned hikers. Follow Pyramid Creek up the granite rocks 1.4 miles to the falls. On the way up, keep an eye out for two or three (depending on the season) other unnamed waterfalls working their way down the mountains to your right. Coming up on Horsetail Falls itself just might take your breath away, provided you still have it. The sheer power of the rushing water eroding away at the sturdy granite will amaze you. This is quite a natural wonder to witness; Horsetail Falls is by far the largest in the Tahoe area. Though difficult to accurately measure, it is estimated to be about 800 feet tall.

Cool off and relax in the wading and swimming pools along the creek side, but use caution as several deaths have occurred in the strong current over the years. Keep close watch over children at all times. The falls flow all year, but are particularly dramatic at the peak of snow melt – about the middle of June through early July. Ambitious hikers can continue scrambling up the mountain along the strenuous trek to the top of the falls. There you’ll find a delightful Alpine lake called Avalanche Lake. There are also astounding views of Desolation Wilderness from this vantage point. Taking children up this route is not recommended as the rocks are very slippery even when they aren’t wet. The hike isn’t short on elevation gain; the trailhead is at 6,000 feet and the top of the falls are at 7,200 feet, though most of this height is gained in the last half mile to the top of Horsetail. The hike to the bottom of the falls will probably take about an hour and a half round trip.

At the wilderness boundary, you’ll have to fill out a permit before continuing up to the falls. To get there from South Lake Tahoe, take Highway 50 south. A little less than 7 miles from Echo Summit, you’ll see a well developed parking area for Twin Bridges and the Pyramid Creek Trail. There are flushing toilets and running water here as well.

View from Angora Lookout

For the more adventurous hiker, Clark Trail is a strenuous and solitary route that takes you from the southeast edge of Fallen Leaf Lake up the steep wooded hillside to Angora Lookout and Angora Lakes. The steep grades should be traversed with caution and expertise, so only seasoned hikers should attempt this trail. This is a pretty elevated climb – you will gain 560 feet in elevation without much mileage to back it up. The trail is mostly loose shale, and is shady most of the way up. It’s a 1.6 mile hike to Upper Angora, where you can go swimming, cliff jumping, sun yourself on the beach, or try a pitcher of Angora’s regionally famous fresh-squeezed lemonade. Angora Lookout is a relatively minor summit, but still high enough for stunning views across the trees of the basin and north towards Lake Tahoe.

The Angora Lookout served the fire surveillance needs of the Lake Tahoe Basin for many years until it was replaced by improvements in aerial and satellite technology in the late 1970′s. The first lookout was built in 1924 and later converted into a small residence for the individuals personally in charge of it. In 1935, the current lookout was constructed alongside the original by the Civilian Conservation Corps. In addition, a third structure was built in the 1940′s to serve as a garage. All three of these buildings are eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. Alternate access to the Angora Lookout can be reached by driving along Angora Ridge Road, which also continues one mile south to Angora Lakes.

The quiet nature of this hike allows hikers to see some wildlife, including chipmunks, squirrels, stellar’s jays, Mountain chickadees, woodpeckers, and if you’re lucky (or not so lucky, depending on how you see it) you could catch a glimpse of a coyote or a bear. Clark Trail is accessible from March through November. To get there, take Highway 89 north from South Lake Tahoe to Fallen Leaf Lake Road. Parking is located at the Glen Alpine Trailhead. From the parking area, walk back down the road to the junction of Fallen Leaf Lake Road and look for the small church to your right. A little post behind the church marks the hard-to-find trailhead.

View of Lake Tahoe from the Stateline Fire Lookout

The Stateline Fire Lookout, though often overlooked and off the beaten path, is beyond doubt the best high-elevation vantage point on Lake Tahoe’s North Shore. This is an especially great place to bring your kids. A short quarter mile gives you an extremely rewarding and spectacular bird’s eye view. About fifteen minutes from the fire road, and you’ll be at the historic lookout. The trail is paved the whole way, fairly flat, and there’s a restroom at the top. An extra treat; there are a variety of signs along the self-guided trail providing surprising facts and interesting history of the Lake Tahoe area. One such tidbit offers the story of how California ‘stole’ the Brockway Hot Springs as you see it down below from the state of Nevada during a rather shady survey land grab. The area has long been the object of dispute over boundaries between the states.

Gorgeous glimpses through the trees on the way up give you a teasing preview of what you’ll find while you’re up there, but nothing can prepare you for this vista – 7,017 feet up, Crystal Bay and Brockway beaches stretch out before you, along with a complete view of the Lake Tahoe Basin and its watershed. Make sure to bring a camera, as you’ll definitely want pictures at the top, and there are also strategically placed picnic tables all around the area, so it’s a peaceful and picturesque place to picnic. The lookout tower itself is infrequently used today, and is the best spot to take photos from. You can also leave the main trail on a side path leading down to the lake where the kids will have a blast bouldering some large rocks.

In winter this trail is a premier snowshoeing path, enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. The lookout is rather difficult to find, so don’t bother looking for signs. At Crystal Bay, Nevada, turn up Reservoir Road between the Tahoe Biltmore Lodge and the old Tahoe Mariner casinos, then turn right at the firehouse. Continue up the hill until you reach a point where a steeper U.S. Forest Service road doubles back to the left above you. Follow this for a quarter mile beyond the green metal gate to the parking lot. Make sure not to block the gate.

View from the Heavenly Gondola

Many agree that Heavenly Ski Resort is some of the best skiing in Tahoe, and when the snow melts, there’s still plenty to do on the mountain. Heavenly features three handsome hiking trails, varying in mileage and degrees of difficulty, and each departs from the top of Heavenly Gondola’s Adventure Peak. The trails include beginning, intermediate, and advanced options, and each is sure to bring you exercise and picture perfect scenery. The gondola ride is a little on the expensive side, but at the top of the summit you’re guaranteed to have spectacular views no matter which trail you choose.

The easiest trail is the Green Trail, which takes you to Upper Bonanza Lookout, a manageable 1 mile round trip hike that would be best if you have young children. At the lookout you’re afforded perfect views of Lake Tahoe and the Carson Valley below. The Blue Trail, or East Peak Lake Trail, is approximately a 2.5 to 3 hour long, 3.8 mile round trip hike that’s a bit more difficult. A great day hike, The Blue Trail starts out on a gradual uphill climb, continues along a picturesque ridgeline, and then descends to East Peak Lake, where breathtaking views extend in every direction. The Black Trail is a 2.2 mile round trip trek to splendid Sky Meadows. From the top of the gondola, the way there is an easy downhill about 500 feet down in elevation to Sky Meadows, where you can stop and smell the flowers. The meadows are full of gorgeous natural wildflowers and surrounded by massive sugar pines and granite boulders.

A new chairlift also opened up this summer – Tamarack Express – where you can access an advanced hiking trail leading to the top of Sky Express. This hike is 1.92 miles round trip and has a challenging rise of 500 vertical feet in less than a mile. Other activities on the top of Adventure Peak include an extensive outdoor children’s area including the Spyder Climber and Climbing Wall. There are also dining options that are excellent – The Adventure Peak BBQ and Smokehouse and Cafe Blue on The Deck – and those BBQ ribs will taste even better after your hike. The trails are open daily from 10 am to 4 pm, and there are also guided hikes. For information on guided hikes, gondola fair, and more, contact (775) 586-7000 or visit their website – Heavenly Ski Resort. The Gondola is easily accessible at Heavenly (Stateline Casino area).

Page Meadows

The popular Page Meadows are a series of five interconnected meadows host to brilliant wildflowers and views of the lofty peaks along the eastern edge of the Granite Chief Wilderness. The route that leads up Ward Canyon has a smooth climb and the best single-track, and it’s a mere 1.4 miles round trip. For about the first half mile, the trail leads steeply uphill through a forest of Jeffrey Pines, sugar pines, and white fir. At the top of the hill, the route opens up to sweeping views of Ward Canyon, Ward Peak, and the Sherwood chairlift in Alpine Meadows.

Soon you’ll be at Page Meadows, where the views are excellent and the flowers abundant. Though Tahoe isn’t exactly New England, when you see the aspens surrounding the meadows popping with eye-catching hues of red, yellow, and gold, you just might be fooled. For this reason, the hike is certainly a must-do in autumn. And if the impressive flora of the area alone doesn’t do it for you, the meadow also plays host to some glimpses of Twin Peaks, Grouse Rock, Ward Peak, and Scott Peak in the distance. While you’re there, wander and explore in all of the meadows – each has its own views and personality. Wildlife also plays a big part in the meadow ecosystem and it’s not uncommon for hikers to spot hawks, blue grouse, golden eagles, raccoons, coyotes, or perhaps even a bear. This makes the area popular for bird watching as well.

In the fall, this is a favorite spot for mountain bikers, as the meadows and the trails surrounding them are excellent. If you do choose to bike here, try to aim for a time when it hasn’t rained recently, as when the trails are wet, it is best for bikers to stay out of them in order to prevent damage to the delicate ecosystem. Page Meadows remains popular in the winter because as the paths get covered in a layer of crisp snow, it becomes a cross country skier or snowshoer’s wonderland. To get to Ward Canyon, drive south on Highway 89 to just past Sunnyside, turn right on Pineland Drive, then left at the “Y” where it says Ward Valley. Follow the trail 2 miles to the Tahoe Rim Trail trailhead on the left. Take the TRT trail on your right and head north to beautiful Page Meadows.

Skunk Harbor

This is an easy and rewarding 3 mile hike/walk through a mixed conifer forest with glimpses and tree-filtered views of Lake Tahoe along the way. Accessible from March to November, this is a perfect trail for the kids and dogs, too. This trail also has some interesting history – most of the path dates back to the time when the slope was logged to provide lumber for Virginia City silver mines during the nineteenth century. The grade for the logging railroad worked this part of the forest. Along the trail, look for the remains of an old railroad grade that used to hug the cliff. This was used by trains going up the incline railroad. About a half mile down the trail, you’ll reach a fork. The left fork leads to sun-washed Prey Meadows and the right fork leads to secluded Skunk Harbor.

Prey Meadows is especially beautiful in spring and summer because of the many wildflowers of the meadow, which makes the walk quite colorful and enjoyable. You’ll see a myriad of different varieties including pink buckwheats, red snowplants, yellow Sierra wallflowers, and spotted mountain bells. In the meadow you can wander along the creek and see the small flowers along its banks. It’s an incredibly pretty spot for a picnic, and the kids will love running around in the long grass.

The right fork of the trail leads along a winding descent to the shore of Lake Tahoe. There’s a large gray stone structure that sits near the lakeshore and was built in the 1920s by a prominent San Franciscan family – the Newhalls – as an out-of-the-way picnic spot. Skunk Harbor, a picturesque cove along this section of the lake is perfect for swimming or sunbathing in the summer. Dogs adore this area, and are allowed off leash.

If you allow enough time, you’ll be able to visit both Prey Meadows and Skunk Harbor, as the round trip to the harbor is about 3 miles and to Prey Meadows is approximately the same distance. To get there, take Highway 28 north from Highway 50 approximately 2 miles. Look for an iron pope gate on the west side of the highway and park in one of the turnouts. Make sure not to block the gate, or you may get fined.

Valhalla Grand Hall

One of the only trails accessible to persons with disabilities, Tallac Historic Site is an informative walk down Lake of the Sky Trail. The trail is a 0.3 mile flat, easy, scenic hike beginning at Kiva Picnic Area or the Lake Tahoe Visitor’s Center. Brimming with romantic, historical stories, the turn-of the century summer homes are as interesting and beautiful as they come. Tallac Historic Site serves as the only cultural arts site in Tahoe. Buildings on the site include the three large homes of wealthy San Franciscans; the Baldwin, Pope, and Heller families. After the transcontinental railroad was built in the late 1800′s and the gold prospectors were gone, the area became popular for the upper crust families. The Baldwin estate was built by Dextra Baldwin in 1921. The Baldwin estate is now home to a museum containing Washoe Indian artifacts and exhibits on the Baldwin family. The Pope estate, built in 1894, houses constantly changing art exhibits and is open for guided tours. The Heller estate, often referred to as Valhalla, was built in 1923 and features concerts on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Valhalla’s grand hall boasts beautiful wood floors, an open wood beam ceiling and a magnificent 20 foot high fireplace. A wide variety of events take place at Tallac Historic Site, and on any given day you’ll probably witness anything from a Native American festival to a bluegrass concert.

Rainbow Trail

Also handicap-accessible, the Rainbow Trail starting at the Taylor Creek Visitor’s Center covers the creek and is an easy paved trail and a self-guided tour through Tahoe’s water ecosystem. In autumn the creek plays host to the tragic mating ritual of the kokanee salmon. Kokanee and other fish can be seen in the stream profile, which takes you underwater for excellent viewing of what’s really going on down there. The quarter mile trail winds through the meadow and marsh, with many informative signs along the trail (audio is also available).

To contact the Tallac Historic Site, call (530) 541-5227 or visit the Valhalla Tahoe website for further information on concerts and events. To get to the start of the Tallac Historic Site trail at Kiva Beach, head just north of Camp Richardson and turn right at the Forest Service Visitor Center turnoff. Follow the road past the Visitor’s Center (this is where parking is located for the Rainbow Trail) to the beach parking lot.