Best Easy Day Hikes Lake Tahoe (Best Easy Day Hikes Series)
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Hike 20 to 30 minutes up the trail and you will be at a lovely waterfall. If you are looking for additional mileage, or want something more strenuous keep heading up the trail as it connects to the Tahoe Rim Trail.
From the trailhead to the intersection with the Tahoe Rim Trail is 3. You will pass through some boulder fields, view a waterfall and see gorgeous views of Lake Tahoe the higher you go up. The Fallen Leaf Lake trail is a great hike for families with young kids or elderly grandparents, as it is mostly flat. You can choose to go the distance you want, with the max being around 2. Head to Fall Leaf Lake Campground, at the trailhead is at the campground entrance.
The trail parallels the road for a quarter-mile, and then diverges and heads towards Fallen Leaf Lake. From the lake, you can enjoy gorgeous views of Mt. Tallac and the lake itself. If you are just looking for a quick jaunt, this can be your final destination.
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Otherwise, head to the right and follow the shoreline towards the dam. Cross the damn and you can take the trail along the side of Taylor Creek, or go left along the shore of the lake. If you continue along the lake, please be considerate of the no trespassing signs when you reach the housing development. Tallac reflected on Fallen Leaf lake, aspen groves, creek with fish if you go the Taylor Creek route and all easy for the whole family.
For the more adventurous and experienced hiker, hiking to the top of Mt. Tallac will reward the hiker with the best panoramic views of Lake Tahoe. The trail is 4.
Best Easy Day Hikes Lake Tahoe (Best Easy Day Hikes Series) by Tracy Salcedo
Follow the signs for the Tallac Trailhead, where you can fill out the required wilderness day permit. The first section of the trail will take you to Floating Island Lake and in to the Desolation Wilderness. Soon after, you will get a peak of the summit, and then the trail continues toward Cathedral Lake. Before Cathedral Lake the trail will split. For those fit enough, you can opt to hike on the less traveled SE chutes. Otherwise, continue on the trail and you will hit some switchbacks.
The summit of Mt.
Tallac is like no other spot in all of Tahoe. The Tahoe wilderness is speckled with alpine lakes, perfect for swimming in.
When hiking on the Echo Lakes Trail you can hit at least two lakes in your out and back hike, depending on how far you want to go. The trailhead is located at the back of the Bayview Campground, off Highway 89, about eight miles north of South Lake Tahoe. The campground is across the road from Inspiration Point. This short hike leads to a scenic inland lake with a pleasant shoreline and views to the surrounding mountains. The trail to the lake is just a simple walk, but you can extend the hike and follow the path along the shoreline to the right.
Although there are a couple of places to access the lake, the main trailhead is located at the back of the Fallen Leaf Campground. The path is very easy, leading up over a low rise and then down to the lake. From the shore, you can see Mt. Tallac off to the right.
This hike is all about the destination. The water is clear, and mountains on the far shores, often snow-capped in the spring, provide a peaceful setting, perfect for a picnic or enjoying a quiet afternoon. You can find your own space to set up a chair or towel and enjoy a break from the busy trails. Depending on how far you want to walk, this can be a 2. The Eagle Lake Trail, beginning at the spectacular Eagle Falls, has several options for trail length.
A good choice is the scenic trail to Eagle Lake. This is one of the most popular hikes on the southwest shore of Lake Tahoe and frequently busy, but it's definitely worth doing if you can find parking. Eagle Falls is essentially right off the highway, requiring only a short stroll to reach the edge of the falls. The hike to Eagle Lake is a steady climb, ascending just over feet in elevation in the span of a little less than a mile, but the reward is worth the effort.
This glacier-formed lake lies at the base of surrounding mountains, which reflect the mirror image in the calm waters. The water is crystal clear, and the shoreline is shallow. On a hot day, you can wade in to cool off. The round-trip hike to Eagle Lake is approximately 2. The main problem with this hike is parking, which is extremely limited, considering the number of people who visit this area.
On a weekend, getting a parking spot is a matter of luck. Many people stop simply to see Eagle Falls, so there is some turn through, but your best bet is to get there early.
Best Easy Day Hikes Lake Tahoe includes concise descriptions and detailed maps of 27 of the premier easy day hikes in northern California's most popular. Editorial Reviews. From the Back Cover. Best Easy Day Hikes Lake Tahoe includes concise descriptions and detailed maps for twenty-four easy-to-follow hikes.
Although this is a short hike, it lies within the Desolation Wilderness area and requires a permit. These are free for day hikers and readily available at the trailhead. Hikers have the option of tackling an easy to moderate hike up to Granite Lake, which lies at the base of Maggie's Peaks, or for more adventure, continuing onward and upward to the summit of South Maggie's Peak.
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The rewards are views over Lake Tahoe as you make your way up to Granite Lake, a peaceful and scenic spot for relaxing. If you choose to go all the way to the top, you'll be treated to outstanding views over Lake Tahoe and the entire area. The hike to Granite Lake is just under one mile two miles return , with slightly less than feet in elevation gain.
To the top of South Maggie's Peak, the total elevation gain is 1, feet. The trail to the very top is steep and demanding, and will add another mile round-trip to the entire hike. This hike is a good introduction to the Desolation Wilderness area, which extends into the mountains beyond the southwest shore of Lake Tahoe. All hikers in this area are required to pick up a permit. These are available at the trailhead. Numerous trails leave from the Glen Alpine trailhead, near the south end of Fallen Leaf Lake, but if you are looking for a longer day hike, or even an overnight backpacking trip, Aloha Lake makes a beautiful destination.
This mile round-trip hike, often showing fabulous displays of wildflowers, passes Susie Lake and Heather Lake before reaching the shores of Aloha. Here, open expanses of rock look out onto the glimmering blue water. Surrounded by mountains and dotted with small islands, this is one of the most picturesque alpine lakes in the area. This is an in-and-out hike, with switchbacks and some elevation gain, but it is an enjoyable day hike.
This popular summer hike allows you to reach high alpine terrain without actually having to hike any real elevation. Accessed by lift, the Skyline Trail is a two-mile hike with outstanding views over Lake Tahoe and the surrounding area.
This is a good choice if you are coming to the Lake Tahoe region from lower areas and aren't yet acclimatized but want to hike the higher regions. A chairlift off Heavenly's Gondola takes you to the start of this trail. If you want to bag the tallest peak in the Tahoe area, Mt. Tallac is the hike you're looking for. This roughly mile round-trip hike has more than 3, feet of elevation gain, but on a clear day, you'll be glad you did it. Views are stunning all along this trail.