Although Lake Tahoe isn’t local, so many of us
spend time there that it seems like an extension of our own
mountains. It’s a great area for active sports. While in Tahoe City
this summer, our family hiked, swam, biked, rafted, and rode horses.
My brother-in-law and I hiked a section of the Tahoe Rim Trail.
Although the trail is a 165-mile loop, we were content to walk about
two miles of the Tahoe City South/Page Meadows section. We entered
the trail from the back of the Granlibakken Resort, but you can
reach it off the west side of Highway 89 south of the junction with
Highway 28. Park in the Truckee River Access Lot, then follow a bike
path of the south shore of the river, turn at the Forest Service
gate, and on to a gravel road for 3/10 of a mile, then through
another gate where the rim trail becomes a dirt path. To complete
this section, you can hike down from the trail to Highway 89 via
Ward Creek Boulevard, Twin Peaks Road, and Pineland Road.
The climb to the ridge was relatively easy, and
the forest provided pleasant shade with occasional views of Lake
Tahoe. Unfortunately, however, the forest is losing the war against
drought, global warming, fires, and sloppy salvage logging. Dead
trees, stumps, and piles of logs and brush littered the landscape.
This is especially sad when you consider that deforestation is
responsible for about twenty percent of global carbon emissions,
more than all the cars, boats, and planes in the world. We are
losing.
On a more pleasant note, several people have
recommended Lake Tahoe’s Flume Trail, especially for mountain
bikers. It is reputed to be one of the best biking trails in the
United States, with great views of Lake Tahoe from higher than 1000
feet. You can ride the entire 13.5-mile trail from Spooner Lake
State Park to Tunnel Creek. (A shuttle is available to take you
back.) Less ambitious riders and day hikers can hike about five
miles from Spooner Lake to Marlette Lake. For more information about
bike rentals and shuttles, call 775-749-5349.