South Rim Trail – Lake Tahoe Hiking Trails

 

Passing through two states, six counties, one state park, and three National Forests, Tahoe Rim Trail is one of the world’s premier trails. Along the south rim you can see several views of Carson Valley and a few glimpses of Lake Tahoe through the thick forest. The south rim is a moderate to strenuous hike and ascends to 3 separate peaks. The first of these is Duane Bliss Peak, accessible via an easy bushwhack and about 3 miles to the summit from the beginning of the Rim Trail. Visitors are few, as there is not a dedicated trail to its summit, but despite this, it is a beautiful day hike. It can be summited in 2.5 to 3 hours, and views are fantastic. Lake Tahoe stretches out below in all its wonder; Snow Valley Peak, Mount Rose, Relay Peak, and Mount Houghton rise in the north; Genoa Peak and South Camp Peak dominate the south; and there are outstanding views of Mt. Tallac and Dick’s Peak to the west. East is the valley below and the Pine Nut Mountains of Nevada looming behind that. The best time to hike Duane Bliss Peak is around late May to early June after the snow has melted but before it becomes too hot or overgrown.

Up to the top of South Camp Peak is a bit more technical – the trail winds through a combination of steep climbs, switchbacks, and rocky steps. About two miles along the 3 mile trail are views of Lake Tahoe below. After climbing out of this area you make it to the intersection with the road to Genoa Peak, and if you continue up South Camp Peak, the trail climbs its way to the summit slowly. Soon before the top there is a section of loose-shale and rocks, and the peak offers a 180 degree view of the Lake Tahoe Basin and the snow-capped mountains in the distance.

Genoa Peak is about 4 miles to the top of the arduous 9,150 foot summit. Most of the hike is on a Jeep road, which makes the trail wide and the terrain easy. Not counting the few dips and rises, it’s about 1,450 vertical feet up. If you take one detour, you’ll come across three crosses in a big cairn. This is the site of an airplane crash, and some wreckage remains around the cairn. The last road to the peak is very rocky and steep and requires some effort. If you make it all the way up, magnificent views await of Jacks Valley, Carson City, Minden, and Gardnerville on one side and Lake Tahoe on the other.

The South Rim Trail also makes for a difficult and fun mountain biking or horseback riding trail. If you’re backpacking and continue on, it’s 12 miles one way to Kingsbury Grade (Highway 207). Parking for the beginning of the trail is available at the Spooner Summit Rest Area located along Highway 50. The trail begins behind the Nevada Department of Transportation building.

Meeks Bay Trail – Lake Tahoe Hiking Trails

The Meeks Bay Trail is considered a moderate hike, and is 16 miles long round trip to Rubicon Lake, although you could definitely cut it shorter at any one of the alpine lakes along the way or before to make it more manageable. A much quieter, less trafficked hike, this marks the start of the unofficial Tahoe-Yosemite Trail and builds to its summit slowly and leisurely. About the first 1 and a half miles of the trail parallels Meeks creek, which flows through Meeks Meadow. The meadow is spectacular and brimming with many different kinds of beautiful wildflowers. Mallow, iris, meadow aster, buckwheat, wandering daisy, yarrow, yampah, phlox, scarlet gilia, monkshood, flax, and lupine fill the meadow and are just some of the variety you can see in full bloom (peak bloom is in late June to July).

After the meadow, the trail gradually climbs through Desolation Wilderness past a small spring and into forested valley about 4 miles up to Lake Genevieve, an aesthetically pleasing lake featuring crystalline waters and a generous background of rocky peaks. About a half mile beyond Lake Genevieve is Crag Lake, a nice secluded spot for refueling, and there are many campgrounds around it if you’re backpacking. The trail continues up a semi rocky uphill where it forks to Hidden Lake and Shadow Lake. After some more uphill, the trail rewards you with a lovely oasis – Stony Ridge Lake. Stony Ridge is absolutely tremendous, and begs a stop for a few pictures, so make sure to bring your camera. The lake views continue as you ascend switchbacks through boulders and rocks to your final destination; Rubicon Lake, blue and beyond beautiful, hidden behind granite peaks. The last lake is about 1,000 feet total uphill from your start.

If you’re planning on making it all the way to Rubicon Lake and back, you should be an experienced hiker and begin your trip early in the morning in order to make it back before it gets too dark. This is an especially great trail for backpacking. A day use permit is required and available at the self-service station at the trailhead. The trailhead is located on Highway 89 directly across from the Meeks Bay Resort.

Sugar Pine Point State Park – Lake Tahoe Hiking Trails

Walk among towering pines, through flower-laden open meadows, follow ancient stream paths, and meander through a historic estate at Sugar Pine Point State Park, where you can choose from quite a few different trails ranging from .7 miles to 15 miles. The Yellow and Orange trails, on the east side of Highway 89, are short loop trails that extend north and south from Ehrman Mansion. The Blue trail is about a 1.5 mile loop, and the Red trail is the longest of these - about a 3.2 mile loop – which begins at the Blue Trail and follows General Creek. In the winter, these trails are very popular for cross country skiing or snowshoeing and are groomed throughout the winter when weather conditions permit.

Other hiking trails include the General Creek Trail, which is a 6.5 mile loop with an option to side trip to Lily Lake. A 6 to 7 hour trek to Lost Lake, a secluded alpine lake, also starts here. This is an excellent hike if you have the time and experience – take the pristine beauty of the lone lake, mix with a healthy dose of adventure, and sprinkle with some stunning views of the Crystal Range, and you’ve got yourself one heck of a day. Both of these hikes are great if you’re into fishing as well – both General Creek and Lost Lake offer a range of species of fish. If you do choose to hike to Lost Lake, it is a 15 mile round trip and should only be attempted by seasoned hikers.

Sugar Pine Point State Park has biking, camping, swimming, and boating as well, and if you go, be sure to take a tour of Ehrman Mansion, one of Lake Tahoe’s most beautiful historic summer homes. A far cry from the rustic retreat you might expect, Ehrman Mansion was once home to the affluent Hellman-Ehrman family. The two-story Queen Anne style home was built in 1902, and overflows with elegance and fashion, from the marble fireplace to the restored authentic furniture. There are exhibits upstairs on the nature of the region as well as the Hellman-Ehrman family, who remain partial owners of the Wells Fargo Bank.

Tours of Ehrman Mansion are offered daily beginning July 1st through Labor Day from 11am to 4pm. The tours are 45 minutes long and are conducted six times daily every hour on the hour. The cost is $2 for adults, $1 for children ages 6-12, and free for children under 6. For more information, contact (530) 525-7982 or visit the Ehrman Mansion Website. Contact park rangers for maps of the many trails. To get to Sugar Pine Point State Park, head 1 mile south of Tahoma on Highway 89.

Vikingsholm Trail – Lake Tahoe Hiking Trails

 

The Vikingsholm trail takes you from the parking lot down a pretty steep 1 mile long trail to Vikingsholm. The way down is very manageable by small children, but they may have trouble on the way back up, as it’s entirely uphill. Scenic views of Emerald Bay and Fannette Island line the trail, and there are many resting places along the way to catch your breath or enjoy the picture before you. Vikingsholm is a special attraction of Emerald Bay, and a popular tourist destination for good reason.

Vikingsholm was built in 1929 as the summer home of millionaire heiress Lora Knight. Knight was inspired by Scandinavian architecture and the scenery around Emerald Bay reminded her of the fjords in Norway, so she chose a Scandinavian design for the house. The architecture is unusual – a sod roof seeded with wildflowers, dragon heads at the peak of the roof, stained paneling, a folk art clock, and an intriguing and interesting collection of Scandinavian antiques and museum reproductions. The 38 room mansion was home to a staff of about 15 every summer upon Mrs. Knight’s arrival. An enthusiastic entertainer, Knight also had guests often in the summer months; at times as many as twelve people would be staying at once. On occasion, even some well-known figures, such as Will Rogers, visited. The beauty and splendor of Vikingsholm combined with the gorgeous scenery of Emerald Bay to create a quiet subdued way of life and a rare sort of elegance that all who’ve visited the historic “castle” – whether a tourist stopping by for a tour or one of Mrs. Knight’s cherished guests – can pay testament to.

Tours of Vikingsholm Castle are available seven days a week beginning Memorial Day weekend until the end of September. 30 minute guided tours start daily at 10:30 am and go until 4:30 pm every hour on the half hour. The tour is $5 for adults, $3 for children 6-17, and free for children under 6. Allow 1 to 3 hours to hike down, take the tour, and then hike back to your car. To get to the parking lot, take Highway 89 north from South Lake Tahoe approximately 9 miles to the parking lot on the right. If the parking lot is full, there is additional parking at the day use area at Eagle Point State Park where there is a less steep 1.5 mile trail down. For further information on Vikingsholm and info on wheelchair access, call (530) 525-9530.

Rubicon Trail/Emerald Bay Loop – Lake Tahoe Hiking Trails

If you’re in the mood for a day long hike that covers a lot of the shoreline, then this is the hike for you. The Rubicon Trail is home to constant views of the azure waters of Lake Tahoe, historical sights like the old lighthouse, rocky points and sandy coves. Although the elevation change is minimal, it’s a moderate 4.5 mile hike from D.L. Bliss State Park to Emerald Bay. The Indians called Lake Tahoe, the “Lake in the Sky” and as you gaze at the puffy white clouds reflecting in the mirror-like surface of the lake, the reason why will be as crystal clear as the water itself. Along the crushed-granite trail, you’ll see cliffs drop dramatically 600 feet into cornflower blue water a little ways past Rubicon Point.

Among the Douglas firs, Jeffrey Pines, and incense cedar trees sit natural rock figures and an undisturbed osprey nest. You’ll pass both sunny and pleasantly shaded paths on your way to switchbacks leading to the sandy shores of Emerald Bay. Scattered wildflowers, fantastic views of Fannette Island, and the tea house of legends that sits atop it welcome you to gorgeous Emerald Bay State Park. Wildflowers popping up along the bay include monkey flower, columbine, lupine, and leopard lily. There are many excellent lunch and swimming spots at the sandy coves where the trail touches the lake. Enjoy the most scenic views Lake Tahoe affords as you picnic. Public beach access is available at both state parks, and you can participate in a myriad of water sports at either.

You can choose to stop at Emerald Bay, or extend your trip two miles further to also encompass Vikingsholm. Vikingsholm mansion is a particularly interesting site to behold – perhaps as beautiful as it is out of place. Scandinavian architecture wraps around this sod-roofed, 38 room mansion built in 1929. 30 minute guided tours are available between 10 and 4 every half hour daily through the end of September. To get to D.L. Bliss State Park, take Highway 89 north 10 miles from South Lake Tahoe. There is a fee for day use parking, and pets are not allowed.

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