Day hikes, back-country camping, a dip in a lake, or just a great time in woods

By Erin Hershey, Tahoe.com
July 23, 2008

Backpacking truly provides an all access-pass to Tahoe’s unique beauty. Outdoor expert Kevin Hickey, owner of Tahoe Adventure Company, has spent years exploring the backcountry. See his suggestions on where to wander:

Desolation Wilderness
One of the most accessible wildernesses in the country, Desolation is a popular destination for day hikers. Luckily, more than 63,000 acres of forest and 130 lakes offer enough space for everyone to get pleasantly lost in nature. You’ll need a permit for hiking and camping – obtain it by visiting a forest service office. Check out www.fs.fed.us for more information.

Two popular access points for Desolation Wilderness are at the Eagle Falls Trailhead in South Lake Tahoe or the Granite Lake Trailhead near Inspiration Point at Emerald Bay. Take either trail through Velma Lakes and towards Dick’s Lake where you’ll intersect with the Pacific Crest Trail. Undesignated campsites are available – some right on the lakes’ shores.

Glen Alpine Trailhead is another way to enter Desolation Wilderness and offers a number of trail options. Some spiral up towards Susie, Heather and Aloha Lakes, providing stunning views and granite walls. The Glen Alpine Trailhead is located off of Hwy 89, just north of South Lake Tahoe on Fallen Leaf Road.

Granite Chief Wilderness
On the west shore of Lake Tahoe butting up to Alpine Meadows and Squaw Valley ski areas, Granite Chief Wilderness features granite cliffs that swoop down to glacial valleys and is the headwater for the American River.

Aside from the busy day hike to the 5 Lakes area, Granite Chief Wilderness is less populated than many other wilderness areas and only requires permits for camp stoves (campfires are prohibited). Explore trails into the Hellhole Reservoir or Picayune Valley to find a solitary escape. Camping is prohibited within 600 feet of any of the five lakes and dogs are not permitted in certain deer fawning areas.

Mokelumne Wilderness - for summit seekers
If you’ve a hankering for heights, trek through Mokelumne Wilderness for access to Jobs and Freels Peaks – two of the highest in the Tahoe Basin. The Wilderness, located south of South Lake Tahoe between Hwys 88 and 4, is also home to many small lakes, granite features and the rugged Mokelumne River Canyon. Wilderness permits are required for overnight users from the Eldorado National Forest.

Meiss Country Roadless Area - take a warm dip
Located between Luther Pass (Hwy 89) and Carson Pass (Hwy 88), this area features lovely hikes as well as intersections with the Pacific Crest and Tahoe Rim Trails. Campfires OK with permit.

Within Meiss Country, hike to Meiss Lake where warm, shallow waters make for an ideal swimming spot. The trailhead can be found just past the intersection of Hwys 88 and 89, one mile past the Carson Pass Sno-Park.

Tahoe Rim Trail
Also catch the Tahoe Rim Trail’s Big Meadows Trailhead and explore three alpine lakes: Round, Dardanelles and Scotts.

Scenic volcanic cliffs and granite shelves complement these lakes’ beauty. Trails also wander through Meiss and Big Meadows, where wildflowers bloom in profusion. The trailhead is located off of Hwy 89, about 5 miles south of US 50 between Luther and Carson passes.

Tahoe Rim Trail - hike around the Lake
Locals may be familiar with parts of the Tahoe Rim Trail, but few have thoroughly explored all eight segments of its 165-mile path. Forming a loop around Lake Tahoe that encompasses peak heights, calm meadows and dizzying vistas, the TRT is truly one of the best ways to experience the beauty of the Lake.

Camping is permitted within 300 feet of the trail in every area except Tunnel Creek to Spooner Summit in the Nevada State Park section of the trail (two designated campgrounds are available in that section). Campfires are prohibited, although portable camp stoves are allowed with permit. Visit www.tahoerimtrail.org for more information and access points.

Explore the Tahoe Meadows to Spooner Summit section of the TRT and detour up to explore Marlette Peak or down to Marlette Lake. This section of the trail is in the Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park. Camping is available at the Marlette Peak Campground or the North Canyon Campground. Taking spurs off of the main trails can lead to spectacular views of Lake Tahoe. Access this portion of the TRT at either the Tahoe Meadows Trailhead off of SR 431, or the Spooner Summit Trailhead on the south side of Hwy 50.

Pacific Crest Trail
Pacific Crest Trail - explore Tahoe's highest country. This expansive and well-known trail winds from Mexico to Canada in its entirety – but also passes through some of the best wilderness in the Tahoe Basin. The PCT bisects all 5 forest jurisdictions in the region and is a great option for both day-hikes and extended backcountry trips alike. Permits are not required on the trail itself, but may be necessary to pass through certain wilderness areas. Visit www.pcta.org for more information.