The annual Lake Tahoe Marathon is back, and is shaping up to be one of the best ever. Put on each Fall in Lake Tahoe, the Tahoe Marathon is a huge annual event that brings in thousands of participants, observers and supporters.

Where does the marathon go?

The Lake Tahoe Marathon is run on Sunday, beginning in Tahoe City at Commons Beach, and ending up at Pope Beach near South Lake Tahoe. Additionally, there are two “a la carte” marathons run Friday and Saturday – each is a different course – that serve as part of the Triple Marathon of the weekend – or the “Super Triple”.

The entire schedule of events for the Marathon spans five days, and includes a bunch of great options for families, as well as some of the most enjoyable and challenging marathon courses around. You may run, walk, swim, paddle, peddle or even do a couple of the many different events throughout the week as there are many options for events in which you can participate.

Not everyone has the time or energy to train for a 26.2-mile race – enter weekend warriors. Those among us who run and walk recreationally, in addition to working 40 hours per week at home or in the office, and feel most comfortable with 3-6 mile jaunts.

The Lake Tahoe Marathon hears you – loud and clear. That’s why the race also offers shorter distances, including a 5K through historic Lake Tahoe estates of yesteryear and an all-downhill 10K that kicks off at Emerald Bay’s Inspiration Point – both scheduled for marathon Sunday.

For those ready to swim, bike and run back-to-back, take part in the marathon’s Three-Day Triathlon, which plays out over the course of three consecutive days (Sept. 24-26). Water and biking enthusiasts are also covered with kayak races, and 20, 35 and 72-mile rides and everyone can see Lake Tahoe aboard the region’s best vantage point – on board a Mississippi paddle wheeler at the Sunset Pasta Cruise to Emerald Bay the evening before the marathon.

Runners and walkers have a host of events to choose from during the Lake Tahoe Marathon Race Week. The Marathon winds down the western shore from Tahoe City to South Lake Tahoe for a post-run bash. It has been coined “a Sunday morning run you’ll never forget.” Other opportunities for runners during Race Week include the Tahoe Triple (three marathons in three consecutive days), Marathon Relays, Half Marathon, Three-Day Triathlon, a free Kids Fun Run, and a 20-Mile Run, Jog and Walk. Other events offer biking, kayaking, and Speed Golf.

For a complete schedule of events and information on registering, please visit laketahoemarathon.com.

Starting at the Lake Tahoe Horizon Casino Resort on Highway 50, Stateline, South Shore Lake Tahoe, Nevada, the route initially ascends 800-feet through a handful of zigzag turns to a rest stop overlooking notoriously picturesque Emerald Bay. From there, a series of rollers ensues between altitudes of 6,300 feet and 7,100 feet above sea level. On the last leg, a 1,000-foot climb to Spooner Junction presents itself before descending to the Stateline finish. At Horizon’s after-ride pool party, celebrate your hard-earned elevation gain of 2,600 feet over 72 miles with a complimentary to-die-for meal, a relaxing swim, and live music.

Due to the ride’s high elevation setting, Tour de Tahoe is recommended for conditioned cyclists experienced in riding roadways – not beginners. What’s more, participants must be at least 14 years of age. Registration for the 72-mile event is $100. Online registration is open until September 3rd, but you can still register the morning of the race on September 12th.

All Tour de Tahoe riders will be assigned a 15-minute window start time between 6:30 AM and 7:30 AM Keep in mind, the roads will not be closed for this event. Participants must be prepared to share the road with automobiles, ride single file, and obey all traffic laws.

For pre-registered Tour de Tahoe riders and on-site registrants, check-in is from noon till 8 PM Saturday, September 11th, at Tahoe Sports LTD, located in the Heavenly Village Shopping Center off Highway 50. Event day check-in and registration begins at 5:30 AM on Sunday, September 12th, in the back parking lot of the Horizon Casino Resort.

Free parking is available in the back lot of the Horizon, accessible from Lake Parkway Drive.

Rest stops with first aid, technical support, food, beverages, and SAG support are offered at four locations along the course: Emerald Bay overlook, Homewood Mountain Resort, Kings Beach (lunch), and Spooner Junction. Cut-off times do exist at several points along the course and at each rest stop, upon which ride organizers will ask “behind time” riders to sag forward.

An alternative to the 72-mile course is the Boat Cruise & 35-mile Lake Tahoe Half Ride Fun Tour. This option is sold out early last year and is still open. Friends and family can accompany riders across the lake aboard the Tahoe Queen and return to Ski Run Marina. The Boat Cruise & 35-mile Lake Tahoe Half Ride Fun Tour boasts an on board breakfast, lunch stop on the course, Spooner Junction’s rest stop, and a ride t-shirt.

The 120 riders who opted for the 35-mile ride and boat cruise combo will start at 6:45 A.M. at Horizon Casino Resort. From there, participants peddle a short 1-mile stretch to Ski Run Marina ramp, where rider and bike board the Tahoe Queen. The boat cruise discharges cyclists on the shores of North Lake Tahoe, to rejoin the 72-mile riders for the last 35 miles of the course. All participants finish at Horizon Casino Resort.

Visit Tour de Tahoe’s website for more details. Happy pedaling!

Whether you are coming to South Lake Tahoe for hiking, swimming, gambling, skiing or snowboarding, the first and most important issue is to make the trip fun and enjoyable. You can travel by air, train, bus or car to South Lake Tahoe. Regardless of what part of the globe you are traveling from there are many options to choose to make the trip to this pristine wilderness as memorable as the stay.

By Air

South Lake Tahoe is located on the Stateline of Nevada and California with casinos on one side (Nevada) and everything else you would want in a vacation on the other (California). While the California Side offers the Lake Tahoe Airport, which is located directly in South Lake Tahoe, this airport services only helicopters and chartered/private aircraft. If this is the route you choose there are packages that are offered as well as plenty of taxicabs and bus routes available to all to arrive at downtown South Lake Tahoe.
The nearest commercial flight touches down at Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO). There you can pick up a rental car from major companies such as Avis, Budget, Enterprise, or Hertz. There is also the option of public transit. Although there is not a direct bus route from the Reno Tahoe International Airport to South Lake Tahoe, there are many shuttle services such as South Lake Tahoe Express that have direct routes to the South Lake Tahoe Area. For only $25 dollars a person you won’t have to worry about when to switch buses and all the hassle that comes with public transportation. This way you can get where you are going and still can relax, soaking up the vast lake as you cruise into South Lake Tahoe.
Those who are looking for a more stylish ride can opt out of all of the above and rent a limo, which will also take you to the south side of the lake in the lap of luxury.

Train

Although planes are the fastest way to get to Tahoe if you are out of the country, it is always not the smartest to take if you are in the surrounding states. For a more local approach as well as a relaxing scenic view, the train offers both education and comfort as you cruise up to the state capitol of Sacramento using the Capitol Corridor train from Amtrak. This train can be taken anywhere from San Jose, or Oakland up to Sacramento. There one would get on the 3424 bus which drops you off at the foot of the Heavenly gondola and the steps to the Casinos of Stateline, Nevada. Although it is not a direct route this mode of transportation does not require any driving and the stressors that come with sitting in your car for hours on end. On the train they have a snack car and you can stand and stretch if you are at all feeling cramped or uncomfortable. This is a smart easy way to travel that only takes four to five hours, and lets the traveler sit back and relax with little to no worries.

Shuttle Bus

If you are traveling to South Lake Tahoe from the bay area there is also another option that is available to you. That is the “Skibus” shuttle. This is a round-trip bus with pickups scattered all around the bay with stops including San Jose, San Francisco, Pleasanton, Berkley, Walnut Creek, and San Rafael. The Skibus is perfect for the trip up to Tahoe, eliminating traffic, stress, gas money, and strain on your car. They provide two to three movies on the trip, snacks, red bull and hot coco to top it off. Servicing all the major resorts in the Lake Tahoe area the ski bus makes the round trip to skiing Lake Tahoe memorable, eco friendly, and fun.

Car

Unless you plan on riding your bike up to South Lake Tahoe the last way to travel would be by car, either your own or with a friend. The five main routes that one could take to get to the Lake of the Sky are Reno, San Francisco, San Jose, Sacramento and Los Angeles.
Here are the fastest routes to Lake Tahoe depending on where you want to go on the Lake:

If you are traveling from Reno the one hour and thirty minute ride you will want to take Highway 395 south through Carson City and then west on Hwy 50 which will take you all the way to the Stateline.
If you are coming from San Francisco the three hour and forty minute car ride that includes 198 miles you should take is I-80 East all the way to Sacramento where you will get on Hwy 50 East, all the way to South Lake Tahoe.
If you are traveling from San Jose the travel time is estimated at around four hours at 218 miles. To travel this you will want to get on one of two routes. The first and easiest of the two is taking Hwy 680 North then merging onto I-80 East towards Sacramento,
Take Hwy 50 East all the way to South Lake Tahoe. The other route to take if you are in the east bay and want to avoid the I-80 traffic on the holidays and major weekends is to take Hwy 680 North to Hwy 580 East then to Hwy 205 East. Take I-5 North to Sacramento and finally take Hwy 50 East through Placerville and arrive in South Lake Tahoe.
Those who are traveling from Sacramento, which is a short 100-mile cruise, should take Highway 50 East through Placerville and over Echo Summit to South Lake Tahoe.

Those making the trip from Los Angeles can also choose from two routes. The first option is to Take I-5 North to Sacramento then get on Hwy 50 East to South Lake Tahoe. The other option is to Take Hwy 395 North to Minden/Gardnerville, Take Hwy 88 and go left to Centerville Lane and to Foothill (Hwy 206), Turn right to Kingsbury (Hwy 207) and stay on that until you get to South Shore.
All those who tend to get nervous while driving should know that when driving on Hwy 50 east, that although there are beautiful, scenic, breath-taking views, there are also steep grades, narrow lanes and quick drop-offs. Those who feel that they are not comfortable or have not driven it before may want to take the alternate route all the way up I-80 and down Hwy 267 to the eastern side of the lake on Hwy 28 and finish through to Hwy 50 into South Lake. Although this may add another one to two hours on the trip it is always better to be safe than sorry, especially when the weather is less than satisfactory.
Here are some numbers you can call to check on the weather when traveling to South Lake Tahoe.

Nevada Department of Transportation
Call (877) 687-6237

California Department of Transportation
Call (800) 427-7623

Some of the all weather Highways include 50 East over Echo Summit, 88 North from Stockton, 207 Over Kingsbury Grade, 395 to 50 West at Carson City, Interstate 80 East from Sacramento, 89 and 267 South from 80 and 431 Over Mount Rose from Reno.
So whether you are traveling through chartered flights into Lake Tahoe Airport or flying commercial into Reno/Tahoe International be sure to check out the rental cars, public transportation, shuttles and limousines.
For those who are traveling by train be sure to plan ahead and know where you need to make the transfer to the bus in Sacramento.
Those who are driving should always be sure to check the weather and plan ahead with maps and knowledge of the surrounding weather.
Although Lake Tahoe is one of the most beautiful places on the face of the earth it is easy to get lost in the scenic Sierra-Nevada’s. Make your trip to South Lake Tahoe a memorable one and when you get here we will see you on the lake or carving it up on the many ski slopes that draw thousands every year to Tahoe, the Lake of the Sky.

Whether you’re checking into a hotel or setting up camp somewhere along the water, you’re still wanting to work out an itinerary for the weekend. Here are some suggestions to help you through your visit. Some are very popular choices, and others are things that you may not have known you could do in South Lake Tahoe.

Introduce the Kids to Tessie!
Yes it’s true! Tahoe has it’s own special creature! Her name is Tessie, and she is the mythical mascot of Lake Tahoe. Her appearance is a much more friendly version of the Loch Ness monster – she is not a monster at all, but a gentle algea-eating creature who hangs out in the deep parts of the lake and helps fisherman and people in danger on the water.

The stories about Tessie are wide and varied, chronicling her heroic exploits and benevolent heart. Gift shops have a number of souvenirs that bear a likeness to her, and you can even take the kids out in search of her! That’s right, South Lake Tahoe cruise ship captains are happy to enlighten the kids with tales and little known “facts” about Tessie, and may even help them search for her! A popular cruise is the Tahoe Queen, a stellar cruise vessel complete with beautiful observation decks and a glass bottom boat that will keep your young ones occupied through the entire cruise. The Queen launches from Lakeside Marina, and you can find more information on bookings as well as other cruise lines at SouthLakeTahoe.com.

Experience Emerald Bay State Park
At 3 miles long and just over a mile wide, Emerald Bay is truly the natural jewel of Lake Tahoe. Carved millions of years ago by glaciers, the 3-mile long, 1-mile wide inlet resembles a gem stone in shape, and is a must-see view in your Tahoe experience.

A short and beautiful drive up Highway 89 North, Emerald Bay comes into view after a gorgeous preamble of natural wildlife and scenery pass you by en route to your destination. Park at the Emerald Bay Vista Point and be prepared to fill your camera’s memory card with pictures. It is a sight you will never forget.

Just up Highway 89 from Vista Point is the trailhead to Vikingsholm, an incredible 38-room estate constructed in 1929 by Lora Knight. Ms. Knight had her home constructed as a perfect duplicate of a 1,250 year old Viking castle, and employed artisans and decorators to fill it with Scandinavian antiques and replicas. Over 200 professional craftsmen were employed during the summer of 1929 and had it completed for Ms. Knight in just a few months.

From any point in Emerald Bay you can see Fannette, Lake Tahoe’s only island. Atop Fannette sits the ruins of what is known as the Tea House, where Ms. Knight would take guests for afternoon drinks following brief stints on the water. Vikingsholm Tours are available to the public seven days a week starting Memorial Day Weekend and ending late September. The tours are very cheap, $5.00 for adults, $3.00 for children and $7.00 to park. Tours are roughly a half hour long, leaving plenty of time for you to enjoy the architecture and take in the scenery for the rest of the day.

It is a 1-mile hike down an incline to get to the estate, with a number of picnic areas on and around the estate property. Though the hike back uphill will be more arduous due to the elevation and steep incline, there are a number of benches and rest areas along the way, giving the whole family plenty of time to rest, relax, and take more photos. For more information on Emerald Bay State Park and Vikingsholm, please visit www.vikingsholm.com.

Hit a Hiking Trail
With hikes and bike rides for individuals and groups of all experience levels, there is enough here to keep the local enthusiast happy for decades, and the annual visitor coming back for more. For families with young children, there are quite a number of options as well.

A great hike for the whole family is the Eagle Falls Hike up Highway 89. Just passed Vista Point in Emerald Bay is a parking area for the Eagle Falls Hike trailhead. The hike itself isn’t too difficult, and should take only a couple of hours round trip, but the experience is exceptionally specific to the destination in that the Eagle Falls view is another Tahoe view for the ages. Majestic and powerful, the roaring water drowns out the sounds of anyone else around you and you are enveloped in natural majesty.

SouthLakeTahoe.com will continue to update categories daily and keep you looking forward to the next big adventure. Please check out our list of Biking and Hiking trails for more trip suggestions.

Snap Back in Time
Want something special to take back from Tahoe? How about posing in authentic old western apparel and gear and bringing back a portrait from Old Time Photo? Located in the Heavenly Village, Old Time Photo allows customers to step back into the old West with clothing, props and excellent photography to bring your nostalgia to life. The boys will love toting around Western six-shooter replicas while your girls can impress everyone with Sunday-best dresses and outfits. There’s something for everyone at Old Time Photo, and remembering your trip will never be easier.

Putt Around South Lake
No one visits Tahoe with the aspiration of playing mini-golf, but at Magic Carpet Golf, you’ll find that playing a fun and exciting game of miniature golf might just be the ticket to fun your family is looking for! Offering a wide variety of holes that are constructed with attention to detail and designed for fun, the kids will enjoy the game itself and you’ll enjoy some much needed relaxation walking through the course.

Kids can choose the color of their golf ball and start playing right away, as the course progresses through the property in an interesting fashion, making sure your family is never bored with it. It’s a hot spot for locals and a great way to fill time for tourists and vacationers.

The Casinos and Arcades
While it is true that individuals must be of legal gambling age to enter the casinos in South Lake Tahoe, that does not mean these great companies haven’t found a way to entertain the younger generations. State of the art arcades are sure to keep your kids entertained while you and your significant other try your hand on the tables and slots of Harrahs, Harveys, Bills, Horizon, MontBleu and Lakeside to name a few. Driving games, shooter games, sports games and fantasy games will give them more than enough to enjoy and the wide selection of gaming tables and formats gives you enough action to last through the whole trip!

Beaches, beaches, and more beaches!
Lake Tahoe did not become a world class destination without its natural beauty and raw resources. The beaches of South Lake Tahoe are the finest around, giving your family plenty of breathing room away from the world, and allowing you to fully relax in this incredible destination. Catch up on some reading while your kids play in the water, or fly kites and throw the frisbee around to pass the time. It doesn’t matter what you want to do on the beach, it is your time and you’ll be able to have fun no matter what.

A hot area to hang out is Zephyr Cove, located on the Nevada side of the area. A beautiful inlet of water with beaches to spare gives all visitors some much needed space and privacy from others and allows everyone to be comfortable in a pristine environment. Nevada Beach is a huge stretch of sand complete with picnic tables and sand to cater to your needs as well. Both are great options, but we at SouthLakeTahoe.com encourage you to not just take it from us – get out there and check it out yourself!

Rent a Boat
If the beach is great, but not all you’re looking for – try exploring the lake itself. South Lake Tahoe boasts a myriad of rental shops for everything from kayaks to jet skis and motor boats. They will get you out on the water in no time, and make you never want to come back in.

Check out Action Watersports in the Timber Cove Marina, or contact Ski Run Boat Co. to get information on your rental today! SouthLakeTahoe.com offers a complete listing of rental companies in the area, complete with contact information, physical address, hours of operation and their respective websites.

Tell Campfire Stories
You don’t have to be camping to enjoy some s’mores! Many lodging locations have private beaches that allow you to have a little bonfire on the beach. There’s a great magic that comes from being under the stars by the waters of Lake Tahoe with the smell of marshmallows and graham crackers permeating your senses! Best Western Inn located along Highway 50 is just one of those locations, but check out SouthLakeTahoe.com’s lodging listings for a complete guide.

Celebrate Food!
You’re a family! And families need to eat! Even on vacation. So why not take advantage of all South Lake Tahoe has to offer by hitting up some top-notch restaurants? We have burger joints, Mexican, American, Thai, Chinise, Sushi, and just about any other style of cooking your family loves most. Check out our Restaurant section for a complete listing of all eateries in the area. Pick out some that you know you’ll like, or dare to be different and try something new! It’s all fair game in Tahoe!

Imagine if you will, the superfluous nature of life for the wealthy during the “roaring” 1920’s. Expenses to the wind! And Prohibition along with it! This was the life for those of wealthy descent, and South Lake Tahoe was no different for the Pope, Baldwin, and Tallac families during that famous decade.

The Tallac Historic Site, host to the Pope, Baldwin and Valhalla Estates, is a prime example of the decadent lifestyle these famous families shared, and the Great Gatsby Festival, held annually by the Tallac Historic Society, pays homage to a different time in American history with a living replication of the life and times of those who were lucky enough to reside in Lake Tahoe during it’s time.

Each year the Tallac Historic Society outdoes itself with the Gatsby Festival, dubbed so after F. Scott Fitzgerald’s book “The Great Gatsby” whose plot centers around 1922 in wealthy America. While the Pope, Baldwin and Tallac families’ respective lives were a far cry from the interpersonal drama that Fitzgerald wrote about, the name connotes images of that fleeting magical decade, and is an accurate title to represent the festivities held each summer just north of Camp Richardson at the Tallac Site.

Actors and volunteers in full 1920’s era garb and memorabilia guide you through a day in the life of some of the wealthiest families in America. The food they ate, the music they listened to, the recreational activities they shared and the lifestyle they built along the shores of Lake Tahoe.

This year featured The Barking Dogs, a jazz ensemble of young, talented musicians from the Stockton area who share a healthy love for jazz music and put on a show that will take you back over 85 years right into 1920’s America. Complete with a guided tour of the Pope estate (featuring character role playing done by actors, actresses and volunteers to help you get a feel for life at the estate) a speak-easy to represent the challenges Prohibition forced people to face, and a medley of other attractions including blacksmiths, tea-parties, boat houses, staff living quarters and thousands of artifacts and items either original or replicated after the times. It truly is a special event that only comes around once a year, and should not be missed during your Tahoe vacation.

For more information on the Gatsby Festival and the Tallac Historic Site, including guided tours and events held throughout the year, please call the Baldwin Estate Museum at (530) 541-5227.

This year’s 21st annual celebrity golf tournament will see celebrities of such status as Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, Ray Romano, Tony Romo, John Elway, Marcus Allen and Ray Allen on the roster – there is no doubt that it is an event to see in any part of the world, let alone on the shore of beautiful Lake Tahoe!

Fans come from around the world to watch their favorite celeb-athlete compete in this truly benevolent tournament. This year, as it has been the last four years, the Lance Armstrong Foundation is the official charity of this wonderful tournament.

2009 Champion and former all-star major league pitcher Rick Rhoden will return to the shores of Lake Tahoe to once again defend his title against the likes of Dallas Cowboys Quarterback Tony Romo, who finished runner up against Rhoden last year and Billy Joe Tolliver, who finished tied with Dan Quinn in last year’s tournament.

This year there will be some brand new famous faces making their premiere at the tournament. Among them, Captain of Team USA’s silver medal winning hockey team Jamie Langenbrunner, American Idol Winner Taylor Hicks, Golden State Warrior Stephen Curry, Minnesota Vikings All-Pro Defensive End Jared Allen, Kansas City Chiefs QB Matt Cassel, Kansas City Chiefs head coach Todd Haley, NFL Pro-Bowl kicker for the Chicago Bears Robbie Gould, Former NFL Pro-Bowler Rodney Harrison, NBA All-Star guard Chris Paul, and former MLB All-Star pitchers Greg Maddux and Mark Mulder.

Returning for their second year at the American Century Championship, we will see: NFL All-Pro safety John Lynch, NFL star A.J. Hawk, NBA All-Star Anfernee Hardaway, Buffalo Bills QB Trent Edwards, All-Star outfielder Joe Carter, Jacksonville Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio, Houston Rockets forward Shane Battier, actor Oliver Hudson, Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, Texans quarterback Matt Schaub, Arizona Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt and beloved All-Star shortstop Ozzie Smith.

The Celebrity Invitational Golf Tournament is scored in a modified Stableford format, making use of a point tallying system in place of the more common match or stroke play.

Practice rounds will be held Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday with first round action kicking off Friday morning, July 16th.

For tickets and more information, please visit www.tahoecelebritygolf.com.

Devon Chulick

Sierra Vista Wineries love coming up to Tahoe and always welcome folks to come check out their winery in Placerville for some tastings. The bakeries have delicious looking breads and mouthwatering treats. Alpen Sierra Coffee also comes out and has their premium drip coffee available too for anyone who needs a caffeine fix.

Address: American Legion Hall parking lot 2732 South Lake Tahoe Blvd. South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

Through October 5th, 8am-1pm

El Dorado County Certified Farmer’s Market Association

Gunmount Trail

Fast Facts

Mary Cook

Length: 5 miles out-and-back

Technical: Beginner

Highlights: Seneca Pond, Osgood Swamp

Time: 1-2 hours

Season: Spring – Fall

Tread: Singletrack

Getting There

Mary Cook

Start your Gunmount adventure at the avalanche Gun Tower on the north side of Hwy 50, just a half mile west of Meyers past North Upper Truckee Road, before the highway turns south to climb Echo Summit.

Logging roads have cropped up throughout the Angora burn area, erasing the former Gunmount singletrack that clung below the Angora ridgeline. Try as you may, picking up the trailhead at the opposite end by the South Lake Tahoe High School sign on Vikings Road or similarly, across from Sawmill Pond, at the intersection of Lake Tahoe Boulevard and Sawmill Road, will not connect you with the described Gunmount trail that skirts the shores of Seneca Pond and leaks out at the avalanche Gun Tower.

The Basics

Mary Cook

Starting from the Gun Tower on Highway 50, two trails present themselves. Take the trail to the left to traverse northwest along the escarpment below Flagpole Peak. The trail to the right plunges into deep forest, eventually bordering Osgood swamp. Shortly after leaving Osgood, the only technical section of the right-hand trail appears as wood plank creek-crossing. My advice for novice riders: walk the plank!

Eventually, the right and left-hand trails merge onto a lone, pine needle-covered singletrack, meandering through at-first vivacious woods, which thin out into ebony, telephone-pole-like silhouettes – products of the Angora fire. In the midst of this bittersweet burn area, Seneca Pond, also called Hippy Pond, sits, like a glistening, untouched mirror in the scorched wreckage of a tragic fire. Seneca Pond marks the turn-around point of this short and flat, out-and-back route.

There are many spurs trails on Gunmount, and if you bailout on an eastward spur trail, you will eventually end up on North Upper Truckee Road, resulting in a shorter loop.

Sierra Tract

Fast Facts

Mary Cook

Length: Your choice, many short loops

Technical: Beginner

Highlights: Spur trails to Lake Tahoe Community College

Season: Spring – Fall

Tread: Singletrack

Getting There

From Highway 50 in South Lake Tahoe, turn onto Sierra Boulevard and follow it all the way to its end. At a T intersection, make a right onto Barbara Avenue and the entrance to the trail is located at the end of Barbara at the corner with Lodi Avenue.

The Basics

Mary Cook

Pedal through pine-shaded forest on dirt, planar trails, which put the flat in the phrase “paper flat.” Sierra Tract’s section of woods is bound by two meadows – an eastern square containing Trout Creek and a larger, western strip embracing South Lake Tahoe’s airport as well as the Upper Truckee River.

This maze of interconnecting trails can be confusing at first. When navigating the Sierra Tract spider web, try to keep a mental tally of the turns you took, so an out-and-back route, if not a loop, is always an option. Keep it simple. The humble act of exploring is your best bet to discovering longer and shorter loops in this novice mountain biking area.

Persisting on an eastward trail will eventually dump you out onto Black Bart Avenue, upon which you can link up with trails to Lake Tahoe Community College off of connecting Meadow Crest Drive.

Washoe Meadows Out-and-Back

Fast Facts

Mary Cook

Length: 5.2 miles out-and-back

Technical: Beginner

Time: 1 hour

Season: Summer – Fall

Tread: 50% single track, 25% dirt road, 25% gravel road

Getting There

From South Lake Tahoe, head south on Highway 50 towards Meyers. Turn right onto North Upper Truckee Road. Turn right at West San Bernardino Avenue, left on Cholula Street, and left on Chilicothe Street.

The ride begins at the end of Chilicothe Street at the gate to Washoe Meadows State Park.

The Basics

Mary Cook

Starting from the gate into Washoe Meadows State Park, head north on a gravel road which changes to packed dirt about halfway down.

The dirt road parallels the Upper Truckee River at the start. If gushing water or perhaps fishing captivates you, keep your eyes akimbo for several spur paths to the banks of the Upper Truckee.

Follow the road along a 90 degree curve in the middle of the meadow, ignoring the singletrack on the right. Veer right as the dirt road makes an acute-angle turn at a historic wooden building.

Turn left onto a doubletrack through the split-rail fence, while avoiding the dirt road to the right which leads to private property. Cross two raised boardwalks and two wooden bridges. Just past the second bridge, a fork in the trail presents itself. Veer right onto singletrack.

The singletrack roams through lush meadow, crosses Angora Creek, and all the while, offers a backdrop of towering Sierra Nevada peaks. The gate at the north end of the park, at the corner of Lake Tahoe Boulevard and Tahoe Mountain Road, designates your turn-around point for this out-and-back route.

Upper Truckee River Out-and-Back

Fast Facts

Mary Cook

Length: 4.6 mile out-and-back

Technical: Beginner

Time: 30-45 minutes

Season: Summer – Fall

Tread: Singletrack

Getting There

From the intersection of Highway 50 and Highway 89, at South Lake Tahoe’s “Y,” head south for 2.8 miles on Highway 50 towards Meyers. Turn left onto Elks Club Road. Look for the trailhead just past the Elks Lodge on the left near a gate. On Sunday and occasional Saturdays, the Tahoe Flea Market is up and running next to the trailhead, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Basics

Mary Cook

From the gate, jump on the dual track peppered with woodchips which gives way to dirt. As a heads up, ignore side trails for the entirety of this ride. Continue on the dual track which fades into singletrack, just as it reaches the banks of the Upper Truckee River.

From here on out, the singletrack winds, dips, and levels through meadow and forest on a route parallel to the Upper Truckee River. Left-ward spurs will take you even closer to the river’s edge. Mid-journey, you will reach a hike-and-bike section up a steep slope, littered with tree roots.

Continue straight to the 2.3-mile-turn-around point where the trail meets pavement leading across the river to the airport.

Mary Cook

Length: 4.9 mile loop

Technical: Beginner

Highlights: Break for lunch at Fallen Leaf Lake’s shoreline

Time: 1 hour

Season: Spring – Fall

Tread: 70 % singletrack, 21% paved road, 9% paved bike path

Getting There

From South Lake Tahoe’s “Y” intersection, take Highway 89 towards Emerald Bay. Drive three miles north, through Camp Richardson Resort, and shortly after, turn left onto Fallen Leaf Lake Road, which is across from the entrance to the Tallac Historic Site. Continue for about 0.8 mile, pass the entrance to Fallen Leaf Lake Campground, and 0.25 miles ahead, after the road curves right, there are small parking areas on both sides of the road. The trailhead is located on the right-side (west side) of the road.

Overview of the 4.9 Miler

At the 0.2-mile mark the trail forks. Veer left onto a wider, gravely trail that skirts a large meadow, clasping Aspens whose autumn yellow hues are especially postcard picturesque in October.

Mary Cook

This trail rambles onward towards the crystal clear waters of Fallen Leaf Lake, located at the base of Mount Tallac. If you packed a swimsuit, take left-hand spur trails to the water’s edge for a quick dip. For shorter loops, take right-hand spurs back to Fallen Leaf Lake Campground.

Otherwise, continue leisurely counterclockwise on this mellow, shoreline singletrack, profiting from what locals consider some of the most beautiful scenery in South Lake Tahoe. Ride straight through the intersection of trails and cross a narrow spillway, where, in October, pedestrians might be parked for viewing rainbow-colored, spawning Kokanee salmon in the waters close to the outlet.

David Goldman

On the other side of the spillway, pedal to a T intersection and turn left for a short stint to yet another fork in the trail. A right-hand turn will steer you in the direction of Taylor Creek and Cathedral trail. Veer left, towards Fallen Leaf Lake, for the Sawmill Cove Loop.

After a short, rewarding climb, an inviting picnic table is visible on Sawmill Cove. This perfect lunch stop offers views of Fallen Leaf Lake’s opposite shoreline, on which, just a short time ago, you were peacefully navigating by bike.

At the Sawmill Cove junction of trails, veer right onto a dirt road, pass an old foundation on the left, and swerve right around an isolated, log cabin onto a doubletrack which soon shrinks into singletrack. Turn right at another T intersection onto a wider trail and veer left at the fork, completing the Sawmill Cove Loop.

David Goldman

Continue straight onto Cathedral trail, which channels its way through dense pine and aspen, between Taylor Creek, another popular Kokanee salmon vista spot, and Cathedral Road. Follow the blue diamond markers for this winter cross-country ski route of the Taylor Creek Sno-Park to its bleed-out point onto Cathedral Road, close to the intersection of Highway 89.

Now it’s pavement all the way back to the car! Take the Camp Richardson Bike Path, which parallels Highway 89, for a quarter-mile, to the Fallen Leaf Lake Road turn-off on the right. Follow Fallen Leaf Lake Road up the trailhead to complete the 4.9-mile loop.

Mary Cook

Length: 12 miles out-and-back

Technical: Beginner – Intermediate

Highlights: Commuter trail

Time: 1.5 – 3 hours

Season: Spring – Fall

Tread: Singletrack

Getting There

If driving or biking up Ski Run Blvd, take a right onto Saddle Road and pick up the trailhead where Saddle Road dead-ends. Coming at it from the reverse direction, follow Oneidas Road, off Pioneer Trail near Meyers, to Fountain Place Road (FS 1201) and park at the last dirt pull-out before the road begins to ascend (bottom of Corral Trail). The trailhead at this end takes the form of a double-track dirt road called Powerline Road.

The Basics

This non-technical trail is a great training ride through spacious pine forests. Practice shifting up and down in your second ring on Powerline’s signature smooth rollers – sometimes steep, but often times mellow.

Mary Cook

The first stint of Powerline trail off Saddle Road forks immediately. The right-hand fork offers a quick climb up to an open, sandy apex, where one can gawk at an overwhelmingly picturesque backdrop of Desolation Wilderness peaks. The trail then descends for a short, yet steep, dusty spell and curves to the left to begin following the overhead power lines which parallel Pioneer Trail.

The left-hand fork travels away from Pioneer Trail, hugging bouldery knolls as the trail climbs higher up onto a pine-shaded mountainside. Both forks merge at the Al Tahoe turn-off.

The first bailout point, if starting from the Saddle Road trailhead, is at Al Tahoe Road. A marker indicating a right turn will place you on a sandy zigzagging path that dumps out onto Pioneer Trail at its intersection with Al Tahoe. Stay straight for more of that undulating singetrack, which beginning mountain bikers’ dream of.

The trail twists and turns, climbs and descends, through sagebrush, manzanita, storybook forests, and over Cold Creek’s wooden bridge to High Meadows Road. Turn right onto High Meadows Road for a paper flat gravely avenue to a left-hand turn onto Powerline’s continuing singletrack.

As a side note, one can embark on intersecting High Meadows Road or Cold Creek trail, in the eastern direction away from Pioneer Trail, for a punishing climb out-and-back to Star Lake.

Mary Cook

The singletrack widens into a dusty double-lane Powerline Road, caked with whoop-de-doos from dirt bikers. Powerline Road passes left-hand Cedar trailhead and Corral trailhead, eventually bleeding out into a dirt parking lot at the corner of Fountain Place Road.

Fortunately, Powerline trail is one of the best marked mountain biking trails in South Lake Tahoe. At every crossroads, there is a trail marker indicating the direction one needs to pedal to stay on Powerline trail.

Because of its parallel nature to Pioneer Trail, many locals use Powerline as a commuter path to-and-from work. South Lake Tahoe residents can hop on at Oneidas, High Meadows Road, Cold Creek trail, and Al Tahoe, to link up with Powerline trail.