Hiking Trails: West Shore United States Forest Department Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit Service of Pacific Agriculture Southwest Region The information below describes several trails located on the west shore of the Lake Tahoe Basin. Information regarding distance and difficulty is provided, as well as an orientation map. A topo-graphic map and compass are recommended.
Weather conditions can change rapidly. Be prepared with the proper clothing and equipment. Always carry extra water. Hiking permits are required for Desolation wilderness. Permits may be obtained from trailheads. Overnight permits are also required for Desolation, for more information contact our office at (530) 543-2600, Monday through Friday, or (530) 543-2674 open daily from May through September.
If you bring your pet on the trail, put it on a leash to minimize its impact on wildlife and other visitors. Observe common courtesy and follow trail regulations. Other hikers will appreciate your observance of minimum impact camping and packing out what you pack in.
REMEMBER ... open campfires are NOT allowed in Desolation Wilderness!
1. Page Meadow: 3. Meek’s Bay Trail: In the spring, myriads of beautiful This moderate hike takes you along the northern- wildflowers can be seen in this easy walk most part of the Tahoe-Yosemite Trail. After hik- through a large meadow. To reduce ing on a road for approximately 1.3 miles, the trail impact in this fragile meadow, stay on passes a small spring, parallels Meeks Creek and continues upward into a forested valley. A chain designated trails! From Highway 89, two of alpine lakes can be seen before the trail as- miles south of Tahoe City, turn on cends 1,000 feet up a series of switchbacks lead- Pineland Drive. Turn right on Forest ing to Phipps Pass. Take Highway 89 to the Service Road 15N60 or 16N48 to get to Meeks Bay Resort. Parking is located across the the area. highway from the resort at a small dirt parking lot. Wilderness permit required and may be self is- sued at the trailhead. 2. Sugarpine Point State Park: There are several trails within the park, including Balancing Rock (easy 0.7 loop) 4. D. L. Bliss-Rubicon Pt. : Dipping up and General Creek, a more moderate and down along the shoreline of Lake Ta- route into Desolation Wilderness. Take hoe, this moderate 3 mile each way trail of- Highway 89 north 16 miles from South fers some the most scenic views of the lake. Lake Tahoe to Sugarpine Point State Bring a swimsuit, towel and picnic lunch to Park. (There is a fee for day use parking. enjoy a sunny day at one of the many quiet coves along the way. Or continue to the Forest Pets are not allowed on State Park Service trails). Contact state park rangers to ob- Vikiingsholm trail, another 2.9 miles and Pacific tain maps of the many trails located here. ride the red trolley back to D.L. Bliss. Take Southwest Highway 89 north 10 miles from South Lake Region While you're there don't miss a tour of the historic Ehrman Mansion. Call (530) 525- Tahoe to D.L. Bliss State Park. (There is a 7982 for more information. fee for day use parking). Pets are not al- lowed on State Park trails). February 2009 Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit website: www.fs.fed.us/r5/ltbmu
5. Vikingsholm Castle: View a historic Scandinavian summer home now owned by California State Parks. Moderate 1 mile each way to the castle. Daily tours are given from mid June through Labor Day. (A small fee is charged). United States Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the fabulous view of Emerald Bay and Fannette Island from the shoreline Department of this state park. Hike the short trail to Lower Eagle Falls which begins directly across from the castle. of Or hike along the north shore of Emerald Bay which connects with the Rubicon Point trail 6.8 miles one Agriculture way. Take Highway 89 north from South lake Tahoe approximately 9 miles to the parking lot on the right. The parking lot fills up quickly in the summer season, so arrive early. 6. Eagle Falls:
Leading into the heart of Desolation Wilderness, this moderate trail offers majestic views of the sierra high country. Just a 20-minute walk, Eagle Lake is a popular 1 mile each
way hike. A longer hike will lead you to the three Velmas, Dicks, and Fontanillis lakes. Take Highway 89 north approximately 9 miles from South Lake Tahoe to Eagle Falls Picnic Area on the left. This is a very popular and congested area. Wilderness permit required. 7. CASCADE CREEK FALL TRAIL: Spectacular views of the 200 foot high falls and Cascade Lake can be seen from this short .75 mile- trail. For best viewing try springtime, when runoff from snow melt is high. Take Highway 89 north from South Lake Tahoe approximately 8 miles to the Bayview Campground across from inspiration Point. Parking is located at the far end of the campground. 8. BAYVIEW TRAIL: Offering magnificent views of Emerald Bay and Lake Tahoe, this steep trail leads you up the side of Maggie's Peak into Desolation Wilderness. Stop at Granite Lake for a short rest along the way. In 2.7 miles this trail intersects with the Eagle Falls Trail. Corral and watering facilities for horses are avail- able at the trailhead. See "Cascade Creek Fall Trail" for directions. Wilderness permit required.
Dogs on Trails: Questions? Contact the Forest Service at: Dogs are allowed on most Forest Lake Tahoe Basin Service trails. Pet owners please follow Management Unit these guidelines: Keep your pet under control and on a six 35 College Drive foot leash. South Lake Tahoe, Control excessive barking and don’t CA 96150 (530) allow your pet to chase or harass wildlife. 543-2694 (Voice) (530) 541-4036 (Hearing Clean up after your dog, please pack it out! Don’t forget the doggie bags. Impaired) Check your pet’s paws often, rocky www.fs.fed.us/r5/ltbmu terrain can cause cuts.
Forest The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, na- Service tional origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, ge- Pacific netic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance pro- Southwest gram. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of Region program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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