Trails around Lake Tahoe?

[HikingMano]

Going car camping with the GF and her father this coming weekend at Lake Tahoe; does anyone know of any good trails we should check out? I'd prefer nothing too strenuous for them, something easily managed in a dayhike. Is the Rim Trail an option? I've only been to Tahoe in the winter and have stuck to the slopes, so this will be my first time there with a chance to explore.


Still trying to decide what knives I'll be taking as well....



Thanks in advance!

 

[DWK2]

When I was in school (back when they used stone tablets and chisels), there was a strenuous trail to the Velma Lakes on the west side of Tahoe. The good news is that there used to be a shortened version of the hike to a lake (whose name escapes me) that was only a mile or two from the trailhead. If you didn't feel you'd gotten enough exercise, you could continue on toward the Velmas.

 

[HikingMano]

Thanks DWK2, will research it! :thumbup:

 

[PG5768]

If you don't mind driving south of the lake a ways, the Lake Winnemucca hike is very nice. Its near Kit Carson Pass on Highway 88. Here are a couple links to someone's vacation pictures and description of their hike.

Link

Link

Another place you might enjoy is Grover Hot Springs State Park.

Link

 

[HikingMano]

Awesome, thanks PG :thumbup:.

 

[Mike Carter Custom Knives]

During the summer you can take the tram on the ski lift and hike the trails that are used for skiing in the winter. There are some incredible views but the thin air makes it a little tougher.

 

[DWK2]

I looked it up and it's the Eagle Lake trail from Vikingsholm. I'm going to send you a visitor message with a link to some maps/photos.

DancesWithKnives

 

[HikingMano]

During the summer you can take the tram on the ski lift and hike the trails that are used for skiing in the winter. There are some incredible views but the thin air makes it a little tougher.

Ah! great idea, never thought of that :thumbup:. Will check out the options!


Lookin to do two hikes right now, one shoreline around the lake (maybe Rubicon Trail? It looks heavily trafficked though...) and one trail up the mountains for some summit/ridge views, maybe with a little foray into Desolation Wilderness, depending on difficulty. Right now, I'm thinking Mt. Tallac summit, or Eagle Lake and on to Velmas Lakes if we're feeling up to it for the mountain hike. The trick is trying to find the less trafficked trails with good scenery/life that aren't too difficult for the others.

Thanks for all the suggestions so far guys, feel free to throw up more suggestions.


ETA: Just got your message Dave, excellent! Thanks :thumbup:.

 

[HikingMano]

Dave, I do believe we'll be taking up your suggestion :thumbup:.

ETA: Or Mike's tram suggestion is a good one too, would save the up and down hiking. I'll put it to a vote later

 

[DWK2]

When I was young and about half a ton lighter, I roared up that trail before dawn, catching grasshoppers as the sun came up, and fished Middle Velma. Got an 18" monster and a bunch of 10-13 inchers. As I was walking the last mile back to my car I ran into people walking to fish Eagle. They looked at my stringer and got really excited----until I told them they'd have to climb another thousand vertical feet or more to fish the lake out of which those fish came.

DancesWithKnives

 

[go2ndAmend]

If you drive around the West side of the lake heading North, past the Richardson's Grove resort, you can head towards Fallen Leaf Lake. I think there is a sign. There is a trail there that heads up towards Mt. Tallack.

 

[HikingMano]

When I was young and about half a ton lighter, I roared up that trail before dawn, catching grasshoppers as the sun came up, and fished Middle Velma. Got an 18" monster and a bunch of 10-13 inchers. As I was walking the last mile back to my car I ran into people walking to fish Eagle. They looked at my stringer and got really excited----until I told them they'd have to climb another thousand vertical feet or more to fish the lake out of which those fish came.

DancesWithKnives

Now that is awesome :thumbup: I won't be able to roar up there this time, but there's an idea for a solo trip....

If you drive around the West side of the lake heading North, past the Richardson's Grove resort, you can head towards Fallen Leaf Lake. I think there is a sign. There is a trail there that heads up towards Mt. Tallack.

Yeah, we're camping at the Fallen Leaf Campground, so the Western trails are nice because they are close enough to enable an early start. Thanks! :thumbup:

 

[BOOMSTICK]

here is a picture of the velma lakes. I think this is middle velma

from the emerald bay the hike to the velmas is a tough one for beginners. I have hiked with you before, you won't have much trouble. also look into aloha lake. that is another favorite.

 

[BOOMSTICK]

 

[BOOMSTICK]

try aloha lake via the echo lake trail, that should be a good one.
http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=34876

 

[HikingMano]

Thanks Boomer :thumbup:.

I was eyeing Aloha Lake; a trip there would be amusing for someone like me and the GF who were born and raised in Hawai'i Based on that link (review and topo), it looks like there isn't much elevation gain with that route, which would be perfect. My GF isn't a big fan of the uphill hikes, and I've never hiked with her dad before so I don't know how fit he is (though I believe he's in decent shape).

Is it really a 12 mi RT to Aloha Lake from Echo Lake? If so, that might be a little too ambitious for them...but I guess the flatness will make up for the length.

With the other option, looks like a good bit of gain to Velma lake, but it's only 9 mi or so RT.


Will do a little more research. Man, I'm getting so stoked to get out there! Working today so I can take Friday off.

 

[HikingMano]

Another place you might enjoy is Grover Hot Springs State Park.

Link

Hmm...GF would love the hot springs...that's another option. The last time I was down in Big Sur with friends, we took a trip to the Esalen hot springs (you have to make reservations for 12-4am), that was a spectacular experience :thumbup:.

 

[BOOMSTICK]

Thanks Boomer :thumbup:.

I was eyeing Aloha Lake; a trip there would be amusing for someone like me and the GF who were born and raised in Hawai'i Based on that link (review and topo), it looks like there isn't much elevation gain with that route, which would be perfect. My GF isn't a big fan of the uphill hikes, and I've never hiked with her dad before so I don't know how fit he is (though I believe he's in decent shape).

Is it really a 12 mi RT to Aloha Lake from Echo Lake? If so, that might be a little too ambitious for them...but I guess the flatness will make up for the length.

With the other option, looks like a good bit of gain to Velma lake, but it's only 9 mi or so RT.


Will do a little more research. Man, I'm getting so stoked to get out there! Working today so I can take Friday off.

the trip up the hill from emerald will kill your girlfriend..lol if she hates uphill. tricia wasn't to happy with me..
the hot springs are cool. it's a nice short hike and a great drive. what ever you do don't hike pat spring or the double cone trail. pat spring is a pipe sticking out of a wall, what a major let down. and the double cone hike was a grown over trail with poison oak and downed trees everywhere.

 

[stingray4540]

I would recommend eagle lake too, and if you want more, you can continue to velma lakes, like Boomer already posted. But, like he said, it is pretty straight uphill. You wouldn't have a problem, but if the girlfriend don't like it, you may rethink it.


Here's some old eagle lake pics, just for fun:

 

[HikingMano]

Awesome, thanks for the pics Stingray!! :thumbup:

I think it'll come down to Eagle Lake/Falls or Echo Lake to Aloha Lake :thumbup:. We'll see what everyone feels like doing.... We're definitely doing the Rubicon Trail though, so I hope the lake won't be too crowded this weekend.