The Tahoe Rim Trail

Another Premiere Long Trail in the Sierras

The Tahoe Rim Trail

"A week and a half later, you’re back where you started. This was the dream that inspired the Tahoe Rim Trail." - Glenn Hampton, Founder of the Tahoe Rim Trail

Directions: The Tahoe Rim Trail is a coninuous 165-mile trail that circles Lake Tahoe. You may join the trail at various automobile crossings as noted below.

Distance: 165 miles, but from its eight trailheads, you may enjoy hikes of an hour or less.

Time: If you go the distance—about 10 days with a pack on your back. The other option: sample hikes of an hour or more.

Special Conditions: Whatever your hiking distance, wear good shoes or boots. Many trails are rocky, and soft-sole footwear may ruin an otherwise wonderful experience. For information on the trail, contact the Tahoe Rim Trail Association at 775-298-0012 or www.tahoerimtrail.org

The Tahoe Rim Trail passes through two states and three wilderness areas as it circles Lake Tahoe. Some trail segments were developed to complete the loop and others, such as the Pacific Crest Trail from Meiss Lake through Desolation Wilderness, were grandfathered in. Elevations along the trail range from 6,300 feet at Tahoe City to 10,338 feet at the top of Relay Peak. Some segments of the trail are quite steep, but the average grade is about 10 percent. The entire trail is open to hikers and equestrians, with many segments to mountain bikers.

There are 10 trailheads easily accessible by vehicle that serve eight separate segments, ranging from 19 to 32 miles in length. Each segment has at least one backpack trail camp, and many of these are near a reliable water source.

While hiking the Tahoe Rim Trail, you will be treated to spectacular views of Lake Tahoe plus unlimited vistas to all points of the compass. The terrain ranges from the extremes of deep forest to high granite peaks.

The history of the Lake Tahoe area will also be part of your experience, since the trail follows prehistoric game routes, Washoe Indian and pioneer pathways, and wagon trails, old water flumes built to carry cut lumber, and reservoirs built by early settlers.

We vacationed in the Tahoe area last week and hiked some 40 miles, including portions of the Tahoe Rim Trail. The first day we hiked from our timeshare unit in Squaw Valley to High Camp and then took the tram down. We started on the Granite Chief Trail, which begins on the right side of the firehouse. Several minor trails intersect in both directions, so the key is to climb up, aiming for a large beige water tank. Once there, the trail levels out, but then gradually climbs to a main but unmarked junction. We turned right and climbed over alternating rock slabs and pine and fir forest. Across the canyon we could barely see Shirley Lake hidden below, but we had good views of High Camp and the major peaks anchoring ski lifts: K-22, Squaw Peak, Emigrant Peak, and Granite Peak.

After we crossed a field of mule ears and a running stream, the trail led up over rock slabs to another but lesser stream. From there it meandered up to the Sierra Crest and the Pacific Crest Trail. A right turn leads up to the Old Donner Pass. But we turned left instead and wound up and under Granite Chief Peak and the chair lift down to Shirley Lake. A little higher, broad views to the west opened up with a broad mountain meadow at our feet. A junction marked for Squaw Valley to the left brought us to Emigrant Pass, where a monument recognizes the pioneers who crossed the Sierra Crest on their way to the riches of California.

On the second day, we hiked 15 miles round trip on the Tahoe Rim Trail from Tahoe City to Painted Rock. The trailhead is well marked on Fairway Drive, across from Tahoe City’s Community Center, where parking is available. If you decide to take this hike, pick up a map at the trailhead, and follow along through groves of fir and pine, with open fields of low-lying manzanita. Along the way to Cinder Cone, you will enjoy good views of Lake Tahoe and the Alpine Meadows/Squaw Valley area to the west. This trail is steep in parts and quite rocky, so wear good hiking boots. This is one trail where an in-out hike is ideal because it offers great views in both directions.

The third day we launched from the Meeks Bay Trailhead to Crag Lake, with a side hike to General Creek. This is a very popular trail for hikers and runners. The first half-mile is an old road through level terrain, mostly meadow with scattered trees. The trail begins to climb through forestland alongside Meeks Creek. After crossing a bridge, the trail turns south into a canyon beside Genevieve Lake, with Crag Lake shortly after. Our side hike to General Creek was intended to circle back to Meeks Bay, but the trail on our map is not maintained, and we quickly doubled back the same way.

We also enjoyed a short hike around Spooner Lake on the Nevada side, an easy, level walk for hikers of any age. A nice stand of aspen trees on the south side of the lake should be dramatic during the fall color season.

If you plan to explore the Tahoe Rim Trail, pick up two references. The only complete guidebook currently available is “The Tahoe Rim Trail,” by Tim Hawerman, published by Wilderness Press, and a unique, elevation-profile trail map published by Trailview Maps that shows the ups and downs of each 165 miles.

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