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Archive for the ‘hiking’ Category
Monday, October 10th, 2011
It’s leaf peeping season – almost. After a brief snowfall in early October the trails and roads in North Lake Tahoe are just starting to show signs of autumn. Aspens in the area are transforming from a sea of green to a brilliant shade of yellow, making for a stunning contrast against Tahoe’s solid wall of pines and firs. That striking contrasts leads many a hiker, kayaker or cyclist to take pause and soak it all up.
The last two weeks of October and the first two weeks of November are when the region’s trees really start to change over. There are a number of great venues for soaking up Tahoe’s fall foliage, but those using your own two feet are by far the most popular.
Locals recommend road cycling, inline skating and running up Blackwood Canyon on the West Shore, which is located three to four miles south of Tahoe City. What makes Blackwood unique is its paved road that takes you from 6,200 feet lake level to Barker Pass at 7,200 feet.
Stately Eagle Rock, a popular Tahoe landmark, sits just south of the Blackwood Canyon entrance and is an easy 15-minute hike to the top, offering 180-degree panoramic views of the entire region. The California Tahoe Conservancy recently completed a new trail to the top, which has significantly reduced pollutants into Lake Tahoe.
Located nine miles south of Sand Harbor State Park (just outside of Incline Village), Spooner Lake offers lush meadows and shimmering aspen groves that surround a scenic alpine lake. You’ll find miles of hiking trails, as well as a good starting point if you’re venturing into the backcountry for a backpacking excursion.
 Changing fall foliage can also be found on Lake Tahoe’s most popular hiking, mountain biking and equestrian trail – the Tahoe Rim Trail. A 165-mile trail that completely circles Lake Tahoe, this dirt path has eight trailheads making it easy to access. Some favorite spots are Tahoe Meadows on the Mt. Rose Summit (Highway 431), Tahoe City off Fairway Drive behind the town’s commercial core and Barker Pass up Blackwood Canyon, the paved road is open to cars until the snow flies.
Here’s a list of more great hiking trails along Tahoe’s north shore.
In addition to great scenery, you can also peep some Cool Deals on lodging, spas and more here.
Tags: aspens, autumn, cycling, fall, hiking, kayaking, Lake Tahoe, north lake tahoe, Tahoe City
Posted in Bike, Cool Deals, eco-friendly, Environment, green travel, hiking, Incline Village, Pet-Friendly, Sand Harbor, Tahoe City | No Comments »
Friday, July 8th, 2011
In Tahoe we’re fortunate to have the mother of all hiking trails right in our backyard. The famed Tahoe Rim Trail is a 165-mile dirt path looping around the entire lake, following the ridges that bound the Tahoe Basin. You can backpack it in its entirety in about 14 consecutive days. But if you don’t have that time commitment, check out any of the eight trailheads with trail segments that range from 12 to 33 miles in length, perfect for a weekend trip. Out and back routes are also available for day hikers.
One of the top locals picks is the Mt. Rose Loop Trail off Highway 431. The 5-6 mile roundtrip hike starts at 8,900 feet and tops out at 9,420 feet. You’ll get picturesque views of Lake Tahoe, the largest alpine lake in the country, and a beautiful waterfall. The Tahoe Rim Trail Association, the volunteer-based organization that built and maintains the Tahoe Rim Trail, has a calorie counter on its website if you need a little extra incentive – the Mt. Rose Loop burns approximately 1,422 calories if you take about 3 hours. That beats the treadmill any day!
Speaking of waterfalls, Shirley Canyon in Squaw Valley is one of the best, if not the best, hikes to view spectacular waterfalls. This 4-mile roundtrip trail starts at Squaw Peak Road and follows Shirley Creek up and over boulders, past waterfalls to Shirley Lake. From there, you can turn around and head back or keep hiking up to Squaw Valley USA’s High Camp and take the cable car down for free (along with the family pooch).
There is nothing more rewarding than taking a dip in crystal, clear waters after a strenuous hike. Five Lakes, accessible via Alpine Meadows Road, is popular for this very reason. A 5-mile hike, on a well maintained trail, has a tough uphill that gives way to some of North Lake Tahoe’s most popular swimming holes, five serene alpine lakes.
If you’re traveling with eager toddlers who want out of the car now! check out the family-friendly one-mile trek down to the historic Vikingsholm Castle on the West Shore. Park at the Vikingsholm Castle parking lot on Highway 89 and then take a dirt path down to the castle, which offers daily tours in the summer. It’s also a great spot for a packed picnic and offers up a sandy beach with fantastic views of Fannette Island, Lake Tahoe’s only island, and scenic Emerald Bay. This path is also stroller friendly.
Get more information about hiking in North Lake Tahoe, including when and where to purchase wilderness permits.
Tags: Five Lakes, hiking, Lake Tahoe, mt. rose, Shirley Lake, tahoe, Tahoe Rim Trail, Vikingsholm Castle
Posted in Environment, Family, green travel, hiking, Historic | No Comments »
Thursday, June 9th, 2011
 Travelers are always looking for empty beaches, quiet hotels and a destination all to themselves. In a popular location such as Tahoe that can be a challenge. But there’s a secret. Head to Tahoe during the last two weeks of June and the last two weeks of August to enjoy the area before or after the peak summer season. It’s also one of the best times to take advantage of area deals.
With a good portion of Tahoe’s summer business made up of families, many travelers must adhere to traditional school closings and openings. Traveling when school is still in session gives guests the opportunity to save as many regional businesses eager to attract visitors during this four-week period provide some of the summer’s best values. It’s also a great time for families with children in private schools and track programs to call Tahoe home as their schedules may differ from public schools.
But what guests to North Lake Tahoe won’t be giving up is the spectacular weather. June marks the official start to summer and boating season with highs in the 70s. August is a bit warmer with highs in the upper 70s and low 80s.
What Tahoe-goers will notice is having the lake’s 72-mile shoreline mostly to themselves, as well as the hiking and mountain biking trails and out on the water.
According to Parks Superintendent Roger Adamson of the Tahoe City Public Utility District, their trail numbers along the popular paved Truckee River bike path from Tahoe City to Squaw Valley nearly double in July and early August compared to North Lake Tahoe’s early and late summer periods.
Operations Manager Darren Kramer of Obexer’s Marina on the West Shore, the oldest marina in Lake Tahoe, also sees peak business during the height of summer. “Although we have a handful of clients that launch their boats over Memorial Day weekend, things don’t really pick up until right before Fourth of July.”
 The last two weeks in June and August are also marked by a number of special events, including the Tahoe City Wine Walk (June 18) when guests sample at more than 30 wine and food locations overlooking Lake Tahoe. Visitors burn off those calories at the Burton Creek Trail Run 5K, 10K, Half Marathon and Marathon (June 19) along a beautiful challenging trails system within the West Shore’s Burton Creek State Park. The Tahoe Rim Trail Association offers a “Vistas, Lakes and Wildflower” trek (June 25) as part of their summer hiking season along 10 miles of Tahoe’s famed trail. For those that like it hot and spicy, the 3rd Annual Truckee Chili Cook-Off (June 26) at Truckee Regional Park has the area’s best chili cooks competing for top honors.
The last two weeks of August are equally busy with a bevy of events, such as the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival’s presentation of one of Shakespeare’s more traditional plays, “Twelfth Night,” (August 16-21) outdoors and on the beach at Sand Harbor State Park. Tahoe Adventure Company gets guests on the water or trails via a guided kayak or hike followed by a brilliant tour of the midnight sky, called Astronomy Adventure: Neptune and the Distant Gas Giants (August 22), with professional astronomer Tony Berendsen. Squaw Valley USA continues with its free Bluesdays (every Tuesday through the end of August, including August 16, 23 and 30) with national acts on the Events Plaza Stage and “blue plate” specials at village restaurants.
Get more information about North Lake Tahoe’s secret season, as well as a list of events, activities and outfitters. And, for the best bargains, including lodging, check out the website’s Cool Deals, which is updated daily.
Tags: beaches, boating, hiking, Lake Tahoe, mountain biking, squaw valley, Tahoe City, Tahoe Rim Trail, truckee
Posted in Bike, Cool Deals, Deals, Events, Family, hiking | No Comments »
Friday, May 27th, 2011
If you’re heading to Tahoe this summer you’ll want to add these 16 to-dos to your bucket list:
- Try stand up paddle boarding at one of the race series in North Lake Tahoe, including the Quicksilver 2011 Ta-Hoe Nalu Paddle Festival August 13-14 in Kings Beach
- Choose from a handful of Fourth of July celebrations, from fireworks on the beach to the multi-day Red, White and Tahoe Blue in Incline Village.
- Bring your blanket and picnic basket for a night lakeside at Sand Harbor State Park, where the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival performs July and August.
- Enjoy viewing antique and classic wooden boats at the 39th Annual Lake Tahoe Concours d’Elegance August 12-13 in Carnelian Bay.
- Take in a summer movie on the beach and outdoors at resorts and villages.
- Hit the road on two wheels, pedaling around Lake Tahoe’s 72 miles or heading up historic Old Highway 40 to iconic Rainbow Bridge.
- Experience the dark night skies with Star Tours, astronomy nights at many area ski resorts and on guided kayak tours on the lake.
- Laugh, dance, chill at some of the lake’s best nightlife and comedy acts at the area’s historic casinos in Crystal Bay and Incline Village.
- Listen to music in the mountains at the Lake Tahoe Music Festival, which kicks off with the Blues Traveler July 21.
- Stretch your body and your musical boundaries at the Wanderlust Yoga Retreat and Music Festival July 28-31 at Squaw Valley.
- Groove all summer long with High Notes, North Lake Tahoe’s Summerlong Music Series, featuring free outdoor concerts daily, except Mondays, July and August held at venues throughout the region.
- Try cooking alongside celebrity chefs at the 26th Annual Lake Tahoe Autumn Food and Wine Festival, September 9-11, held outdoors at the Village at Northstar.
- Taste the finest in culinary delights at the region’s 2nd Annual Lake Tahoe Restaurant Week, October 2-9, with 60-plus restaurants offering prix-fixe dishes at exceptional value s- $20, $30 or $40 per person.
- Toast the season with winemaker dinners at the notable, lakeside Thunderbird Lodge offering a view like no other; dinners start July 10 with the talented Chef Douglas Dale of Wolfdale’s Cuisine Unique.
- Experience the solitude on the Tahoe Rim Trail, a 165-mile loop trail that meanders along the peaks and valleys around Lake Tahoe, and to the lake’s crystal, clear waters (with a visibility of 70 feet down) to water ski and sail.
- Take a swing at any of the more than 50 golf courses within a 60-minute drive of North Lake Tahoe.
Get complete details on any of these activities, and secure a Cool Deal in the process.
Tags: bucket list, cycling, Events, golf, mountains, music, north lake tahoe, summer, tahoe
Posted in Bike, Cool Deals, Crystal Bay, Culture, dining, entertainment, Environment, Events, hiking, Incline Village, Kings Beach, paddleboard, Sand Harbor, Tahoe City, Tours | No Comments »
Friday, October 15th, 2010
Today is Blog Action Day, an annual event held every October 15 that unites the world’s bloggers in posting about the same issue on the same day with the aim of sparking a global discussion and driving collective action. This year’s issue is water and that’s something we know a thing or two about. After all, Lake Tahoe is the center of our “universe” ranking as the third-deepest lake in North America and the 10th-deepest in the world.
“. . . the water was not merely transparent, but dazzlingly, brilliantly so.”
- a description of Lake Tahoe by Mark Twain, Roughing It (1871)
If you’ve been to Tahoe you know one of its most famous features is its clarity, initially measured at 100 feet in 1968. Since then clarity has dropped nearly one foot each year and is just around 70 feet today. Through extensive research several causes have been identified as major contributors to the water clarity decline. The most prominent cause is excessive algal growth due to higher nitrogen and phosphorus levels from automobile emissions and urban and forested area runoffs. Fine sediments from roadways and urban areas also cloud the water becoming suspended rather than sinking to the bottom.
According to DoSomething.org 46% of America’s lakes are too polluted for fishing, swimming or aquatic life. And runoff from the nitrogen-rich Mississippi River has caused a dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico the size of Massachusetts. Fortunately this isn’t the case in Tahoe and we enjoy a plethora of fish species in the lake’s waters including Mackinaw, Kokanee salmon and rainbow and brown trout. Animals such as mule deer, ground squirrels, coyotes, black bears, hawks, geese, woodpeckers and bald eagles also depend on the lake’s clear waters for sustenance. This all makes for an amazing vacation experience whether you’re fishing on the lake or spotting wildlife on one of the area’s many hiking trails.
Read more about Tahoe’s clarity and what you can do to “keep Tahoe blue” such as hiking only on existing trails, picking up your litter and after your pets, and properly servicing your engines and motors on vehicles and watercraft.
If you’ve done something to help “keep Tahoe blue” let us know.
Tags: clarity, fishing, hiking, tahoe, water, wildlife
Posted in boating, eco-friendly, Environment, hiking, Leave no trace | No Comments »
Monday, August 23rd, 2010
 Tahoe is fabulous, especially during the months of September, October and November when the region plays host to the annual North Lake Tahoe Fabulous Fall Celebration. It’s the best time to visit the largest alpine lake in the country, with its warm days and cool evenings, exceptional deals on lodging and a calendar of events and activities as colorful as autumn itself.
Fabulous Fall for Foodies
The first-ever Lake Tahoe Restaurant Week, September 5-12, showcases delicious dishes all at exceptional values, with 3-course, prix-fixe menus ranging from $20, $30 or $40 per person. No tickets are required to take part, but reservations are recommended.
 The Lake Tahoe Autumn Food and Wine Festival celebrates its 25th anniversary September 10-12 and is considered the area’s finest foodie gathering. This year the festival pulls out all the stops with a new Welcome Party sponsored by Corzo Tequila at The Ritz-Carlton Highlands, Lake Tahoe. Free cooking seminars taught by acclaimed chefs, with ticketed wine tasting and pairing events, grape stomp and Celebrity Chef Dinner are also provided throughout the three-day affair.
 The Downtown Truckee Wine, Walk & Shop is October 2 and has attendees shopping and strolling in historic Truckee while indulging in bite-sized portions prepared by area chefs and sipping fine vintages. Another favorite is Passport to Dining with samples from 25 local restaurants, wineries and breweries, along with live music and silent auction scheduled for October 7 in Kings Beach.
Chocolate lovers feast on decadent goodies and taste boutique wines at the 22nd Annual Chocolate, Wine & Roses Festival November 6 at The Chateau at Incline Village, all while benefitting Tahoe Women’s Services. This year, attendees are going vintage Hollywood and are encouraged to come dressed as their Hollywood idol of the 30s, 40s or 50s – think Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn and Charlie Chaplin.
The 34th Annual Elegant Affair, also a foodie must-do, is November 19 at Tahoe City’s Boatworks Mall.
Fabulous Fall Adventures
 Work off all that scrumptious cuisine at one of North Lake Tahoe’s many recreational events. The Tahoe Big Blue Adventure Sprint is September 18 and is ideal for beginners with its two to four hour finishing time, and has participants kayaking, mountain biking and trail running. Tahoe Adventure Company gets you on the water with their Lodge-to-Lodge Kayak Tour September 23-26, with daily guided paddles ending at overnights at Tahoe’s best lakefront properties.
 Health and wellness are the focus of the Hyatt Regency’s Lake Tahoe Wellness Weekend September 24-26 with rejuvenating activities focused on achieving inner balance, as well as beauty seminars designed to recharge and reinvigorate. Try stand up paddle boarding at the Tahoe Fall Classic September 26, a 22-mile race from South Lake Tahoe to Kings Beach on the North Shore, with demo boards available for spectators.
Another way to get moving is to explore North Lake Tahoe’s splendid fall foliage, marked by the red, gold and orange aspens juxtaposed against the forest evergreens. Ideal hiking trails for viewing changing colors are many and include Page Meadows outside of Tahoe City and the two-mile hike to Spooner Lake just off Highway 28 before the Highway 50 junction. Less adventurous travelers will find abundant beauty by driving Highway 267 from Truckee to Kings Beach or Highway 431 (Mount Rose) from Reno to Incline Village with its many aspens along the roadway. Read more about hiking at Tahoe.
Live music is also part of the North Lake Tahoe fall experience and the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe is again hosting the Holiday Jazz Festival November 26-27 with Peter White Christmas, Rick Braun, Mindy Abair, Gerald Albright and others.
Fabulous Fall Deals
Take advantage of North Lake Tahoe’s Fabulous Fall Celebration deals and savings with these Cool Deals.
Tags: adventure, celebration, fall, food, music, tahoe, wine
Posted in Cool Deals, dining, Events, hiking, Incline Village, kayak, Kings Beach, paddleboard, Tahoe City, truckee | No Comments »
Wednesday, August 19th, 2009
For years lodging properties and recreational companies around the world have been stepping up to offer eco-friendly vacations. Now travelers are taking an active role and making conscientious efforts to travel green.
“Today’s environmental culture requires travelers to travel green,” Bill Hoffman, executive director of the Incline Village Crystal Bay Visitors Bureau, said. “Being respectful of naturally beautiful environments and delicate destinations is important. We all want to preserve the beauty of Lake Tahoe for future generations.”
One of the best places to learn about Tahoe’s fragile environment is the Tahoe Center for Environmental Sciences in Incline Village offering self-guided and docent-led tours, hands-on activities and a monthly lecture series. Here visitors can take a 3-D virtual reality flight through Lake Tahoe, peek through a microscope and view tiny aquatic creatures and learn how scientists study the lake’s water quality.
Travelers looking to get more involved can take part in one of the Tahoe Rim Trail Association’s work parties held on Tuesdays and Saturdays throughout the summer consisting of trail building and maintenance along the 165-mile loop trail.
Those exploring the Sierra Nevada terrain also embrace the principles developed by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. The principles include:
· Planning and preparing: knowing regulations and special concerns, using a map and preparing for weather and emergencies
· Traveling and camping on durable services: keep camps small and hike on designated trails
· Disposing of waste properly: pack it in, pack it out
· Leaving what you find: as well as not building structures or digging trenches
· Minimizing campfire impacts: use only a lightweight stove when possible
· Respecting wildlife
· Being considerate of other visitors: yield to other hikers
Caring for the lake also means caring for its surroundings and its inhabitants. The Sierra Nevada is home to raccoons, squirrels, chipmunks, deer, coyotes and black bears. The United States Forest Service warns against approaching wildlife for the health of the animal as well as the visitor. Animals that are approached too quickly can run into traffic, lose footing on cliffs and fall, be separated from their young, be forced to abandon their nests or dens and become more vulnerable to predators because they are distracted. Animals should not be fed (or allowed to forage) for human food. Packaging such as aluminum or plastic can severely damage the digestive system and human food can cause tooth decay, arthritis or other disease.
The Lake Tahoe’s BEAR League, a grass roots organization formed to keep bears safe, reminds guests and residents that black bears are generally docile but very smart and motivated by food. It is strongly recommended not to leave garbage out overnight unless in a bear-proof container. Other tips include putting ammonia or Pine Sol in every trash bag, not leaving pet food out overnight, cleaning barbeques and not leaving trash or food on decks, in the open, or in crawl spaces.
Being safe is important to preservation. To learn more, visit online.
Tags: eco-travel, Environment, Leave no trace
Posted in eco-friendly, Environment, green travel, hiking, Leave no trace | No Comments »
Tuesday, July 28th, 2009
 Tahoe Adventure Company just introduced a new kayak tour that has groups launching at Sand Harbor State Park and then paddling over to the region’s historic Thunderbird Lodge. Arriving at the private beach landing, paddlers then take a walking tour of this 1930’s estate and learn the story of George Whittell, the eccentric man who built it, followed by a fantastic deli spread lunch on the shores of Lake Tahoe. You’ll also find additional tours offered by Tahoe Adventure Company by visiting online.
History and outdoor buffs use their own two feet on a new, guided walking tour of Tahoe City. The North Lake Tahoe Historical Society takes participants from the Gatekeeper’s Museum and along North Lake Tahoe Boulevard to Watson Cabin, which turns 100 this year, and speaks to the stories and legends that characterize this town.
Pack your lunch if you’re headed down the one-mile, steep trail to visit Lake Tahoe’s only castle. Vikingsholm Castle offers a sandy beach perfect for a picnic and a quick dip in the region’s clear, blue waters. Tours are available of this majestic home, built in 1929 and situated at the head of Emerald Bay. Also on the West Shore is Ehrman Mansion, the opulent summer home of a San Francisco businessman and built in 1903.
For details, along with stellar deals on lodging, activities and entertainment, visit our Cool Deals.
Posted in hiking, Historic, kayak | No Comments »
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Changing fall foliage can also be found on Lake Tahoe’s most popular hiking, mountain biking and equestrian trail – the Tahoe Rim Trail. A 165-mile trail that completely circles Lake Tahoe, this dirt path has eight trailheads making it easy to access. Some favorite spots are Tahoe Meadows on the Mt. Rose Summit (Highway 431), Tahoe City off Fairway Drive behind the town’s commercial core and Barker Pass up Blackwood Canyon, the paved road is open to cars until the snow flies.
