Heavenly Resort Hiking – Lake Tahoe Hiking Trails

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).

Ward Canyon to Page Meadows – Lake Tahoe Hiking Trails

 

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.

Prey Meadows/ Skunk Harbor – Lake Tahoe Hiking Trails

 

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.

Tallac Historic Site and Rainbow Trail – Lake Tahoe Hiking Trails

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.

 

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.

Mt. Rose – Lake Tahoe Hiking Trails

 

Big, beautiful, and formidable, at 10,776 feet above sea level, Mt. Rose is the third highest peak in the Tahoe Basin. This is a strenuous but certainly rewarding 6 mile hike to the top. The way up is particularly lovely, first following a trail through a forest thick with Lodgepole and interspersed with mule ears and sagebrush. Pass a cute oasis of a pond, and lush, wildflower-covered Tahoe meadows where you’ll see, among other flower varieties; lupine, paintbrush, and larkspur. Next, the trail descends slightly into Mount Rose Wilderness and passes several small streams before beginning the steep trek up the switchbacks that lead up the ridge line.

Astonishing views open up steadily as you climb, first to the south, and then views of Boca Reservoir in the north and Stampede Reservoir to the west. As you near the top, in certain seasons you’ll find quite an amazing sight – thousands of butterflies. The sheer magnitude of their numbers is awe-inspiring; it’s definitely like nothing you’ve ever seen. As your new winged friends flutter around and cheer you on to the summit, the view opens up further for the ultimate picture; Reno and its surrounding cities in the northeast, Washoe Valley in the east, and, of course, Lake Tahoe in the southwest. Have a bite to eat in one of the few rock storm shelters which provide protection from the winds. Be sure to write your name in the logbook at the summit and show the world you made it. The trip back down will go surprisingly quickly. 

Depending on your athletic condition and how long/ how many times you stop, the hike will probably take you anywhere from 4 to 9 hours. Remember to bring plenty of water, food, and sunscreen, as above the treeline it can be very hot and sunny. The area can get very dry at times, so make sure to also check current conditions and fire restrictions with local authorities before heading out for quality time in the uniquely beautiful Nevada wilderness. To get to the start of the trail, take Highway 431 (Mount Rose Highway) north of Incline Village. Park at the trailhead located one mile south of the summit.