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A guide to perhaps the best of the less well known hammer havens in the Sierras.
Weekend warriors should enjoy the quick access to the best without the crowds.
Alpine Meadows, Squaw Valley, & Truckee River Canyon
From the intersection of Alpine Meadows Road and Hwy 89 you can access many trails in
the Alpine Meadows, Squaw Valley, and Truckee River Canyon areas including The Tahoe
Rim Trail, The Western States Trail and many out and backs, semi-loops, and loop
trips.
Alpine Meadows
Loop Trip - Alpine Meadows/Granlibakken
- (7/6/97) This trail is an early favorite, offering to get a good climb out of the way
fast, scenic views of Paige Meadows, great vista views
( 42kb). of the Truckee Canyon, and several miles of lush
single track.
- 13.5 Miles
- Approx. 1100 Vertical Feet
- Starting at the intersection of Alpine Meadows Road and Highway 89 bike up Alpine
Meadows Road approx. 1 mile and turn left on Snow Crest Road. Follow Snow Crest Road up another 0.4 miles to a closed
double track access gate. Construction of a new home has left many rocks piled around the
area, but the construction material does not block access. The trail starts here ( 58kb) heading south
at approx. 6470 feet in altitude. Cross the road closed gate up a double track road
approx. 0.4 miles to where the double track tees into a wide single track. The kicker to
the tee is now boulders due to the spring runoff and floods. The stream has carved several
feet out of the stream bed which criss-crosses the 100- feet vertical, 0.1 mile horizontal
kicker. The trail splits east (
92kb) and west ( 74kb)
at 6780 feet. Take the trail up ( 63kb) due east, the trail will level off somewhat after a 1/4
mile and bend toward the northeast ( 32kb) for another 3/4 mile before twisting toward the southwest
for another mile. Enjoy the views... ( 66kb)
- Trail Mark 48a : At this point the trail will continue toward the southwest ( 46kb) or turn northwest ( 73kb) at trail
marker 48a (last trip up the sign was gone). The trail northwest leads to the Lakeview Ski
Lift. You will have climbed approx. 1100 feet over 3.6 miles, about an hour's climb.
The
trail to the southwest (to Granlibakken) is 4.6 miles (mostly due east), is
single track flash, very few Baby Heads, with the only Rock Garden and Powder Run on the descent into
Granlibakken. As you bike east ( 79kb) the trail gently loses about 300 feet of altitude during
the next 3 miles around Paige Meadows. There are several Y's in the trail, stay left or
straight heading east or northeast. This stretch (85kb) of
single track ( 89kb) can be fun as there are very few rocky sections and plenty
of opportunity for air.
The last 1 ¼ miles of single track ( 92kb) drops 600 feet heading first north, then northeast, and
finally north. It includes a 1/2 mile stretch ( 84kb) of a somewhat steep rocky section that requires some
technical skills. The descent is a powder run marked by baby heads. You will reach
Granlibakken Road at approx. 8.3 miles from your start. Take the access road west to West
Lake Blvd. and turn left onto the paved bike trail to 64 Acres Park. Again turn left
through the park and turn left at all Y's. Cross the bridge, again turn left and approx.
3.4 miles later you will be back at River Run.
To Alpine Meadow's Lakeview:
- If you turn right at the 48a trail marker you will start a more advanced trail up to the
Alpine Meadows Lakeview ski lift. This single track trail is very technical in places and
you will have climbed an additional 1000 feet in elevation when you arrive at the lift.
The Scott Chair access road down is run able except for the switchbacks and leads down
toward the Weasel Ski Lift. At Weasel you can turn left to head back to Tahoe City, or
turn right and follow Weasel back to the Alpine Meadows Ski Resort. Take care near the
bottom, it is not steep but there are some very loose spots. When you arrive at the Alpine
Ski Area take Alpine Meadows Road back down to River Run.
Alpine Meadows/Squaw Valley/Tahoe City
Western States Trail to Upper Junction
- There are two trailheads to the Western States Trail at Midway Bridge. One is underneath
the bridge and the other is on the west end of the bridge. From the west end of midway
bridge bike up the Western States Trail and follow the trail heading mostly due west
toward Squaw Valley. Upper Junction is approx. 2 miles up the trail and the climb is
approx. 800 ft.
Powder runs are usually located at all switchbacks and trail
intersections. The only Rock Garden is on an out and back near High Junction.
From Upper Junction you can flash the single track down, ride a 2 mile gentle downhill
double track, flash the semi-loops on Juniper Mountain Trail, or take one of two trails
leading into Squaw Valley.
Best single track
My vote for the best single track close to Tahoe City goes to a section of the Tahoe
Rim Trail. The trailhead is across from the Family Community Center on Fairview Dr.
The trail up from this trailhead is steep and strenuous. Fortunately there is an easier
way to the top another 1/2 mile away. Continue up Fairway Dr. and turn left at Bunker.
Near the top of Bunker is a Forest access road on the left.
Ride up the access road mostly due north until you reach a fork that splits straight
west, or continues northeast. Turn left (west) and continue to the top. The road will bend
toward the southwest. At the top, the road will intersect with the TRT. You will have
climbed about 1500 feet in this several mile stretch of intermediate climbing. Here take
the single track laid out in the shale on your left that is marked with a "closed to
motorized vehicles" signpost.
This excellent single track starts rock garden shale which sounds like broken glass as
your ride over it in a westerly direction. After approx. 1 mile the rock garden ends and
the real fun begins. The remaining several miles of single track leading down to the
TRT trailhead contain a variety of challenges. There are flashes of hi speed powder runs
that twist and turn through the tall pines and small rock gardens that provide good
technical challenges. The trail intersects a runoff ditch, all baby's heads, just cross
over it to begin a dabbing kicker back to the TRT trailhead on Fairview Dr. Definitely the
best ride of the season!
South Lake Tahoe (really the East Shore)
The Flume Trail
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The Flume Trail
Photo by Larry Proser |
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Location:
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Nevada |
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Nearest Town:
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South
Lake Tahoe |
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Directions to
Trailhead:
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From
So. Lake Tahoe, take Hwy. 50 north to Hwy. 28. Left on Hwy. 28,
continue approx. 1/4 mile, and turn right into Spooner Lake
Campground. |
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Trail Description:
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Scenic
mountain fire road and single track along the eastern side of Lake
Tahoe. Incredible views of the lake. |
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Trail Length:
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22
miles |
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Trail Type:
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Singletrack
& Fire Roads |
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Skill Level:
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Intermediate |
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The Tahoe Rim Trail is one of the world's premier trails
and is marketed as a 165 mile loop trail. In reality, it is longer and for
thru-hikers, you must include road sections. So, for planning purposes, the
total mileage is closer to 164 miles.
It is a trail that offers something for everyone. Hiking,
horseback riding and skiing are allowed on all portions of the
trail.
Click here for more info
....
URL: http://www.tahoesbest.com/Biking/local.htm
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