Cliffs in Powderhorn Canyon (Trail 20)
CHAPTER 1
North Tahoe
1. Mount Lola and White Rock Lake
3. Summit Lake, Frog Lake Overlook, and Warren Lake
5. Castle Valley, Round Valley, and Andesite Peak
8. Pacific Crest Trail: Donner Pass to Squaw Valley
11. Tahoe Rim Trail: Tahoe City to Truckee River Canyon Viewpoint
14. Tahoe Meadows Nature Trails
15. Tahoe Rim Trail: Tahoe Meadows to Brockway Summit
16. Tahoe Rim Trail: Tahoe Meadows to Twin Lakes
Overleaf: Castle Peak (Trail 4)
AREA OVERVIEW
North Tahoe
The north Tahoe region contains some splendid backcountry, boasting many of the area’s best trails. Whether you’re searching for expansive vistas, serene lakes, or vivid wildflower displays, you have plenty to choose from amid the diverse terrain at the north end of the lake. Access to the trailheads is straightforward, thanks primarily to the four-lane freeway of I-80, as well as the Mount Rose Highway (NV 431) and CA 89 and CA 267.
Permits and Maps
The north Tahoe area straddles the border between Nevada and California, and administration of the backcountry is divided between the Carson Ranger District of the Humboldt–Toiyabe National Forest; the Truckee, Sierraville, and Nevada City Ranger Districts of the Tahoe National Forest; and the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. The 28,000-acre Mount Rose Wilderness and the 19,050-acre Granite Chief Wilderness are the only designated wilderness areas at the north end of the lake, but the proposed Castle Peak Wilderness would add another 18,000 acres. Currently, permits are not required for either day or overnight trips.
Maps of the north Tahoe region are available at U.S. Forest Service ranger stations in Nevada City, Grass Valley, Sierraville, Truckee, Sparks, and Carson City. The best maps for trail use are the USGS 7.5-minute topographic quadrangles. Specific maps for the trails covered in this section are listed in Appendix 4.
AREA MAP
TRAIL FEATURES TABLE
TRAIL SUMMARIES
North Tahoe
TRAIL 1
Hike, Run, Bike, Horses, Dogs Allowed
10.4 or 14.4 miles, Out-and-back
Difficulty: 1 2 3 4 5
Mount Lola and White Rock Lake
Follow the course of a delightful stream up a scenic canyon to a climb of the highest peak in the Sierra between the Tahoe Basin and Lassen Volcanic National Park, where you’ll have a superb 360-degree view of the northern Sierra. A 2-mile extension drops from Mount Lola to the shores of picturesque White Rock Lake.
TRAIL 2
Hike, Run, Bike, Horses, Dogs Allowed, Child Friendly
5.0 miles, Out-and-back
Difficulty: 1 2 3 4 5
Stroll down an easy trail, alongside verdant streamside foliage that lines Sagehen Creek, to the southeastern arm of Stampede Reservoir. A variety of wildflowers adds splashes of vibrant color in summer, and the autumn foliage is a visual treat as well.
TRAIL 3
Hike, Horses, Dogs Allowed
4.0–15.0 miles, Out-and-back
Difficulty: 1 2 3 4 5
Summit Lake, Frog Lake Overlook, and Warren Lake
This hike has something for everyone: an easy short hike to the forested shore of Summit Lake, a moderate hike to a fine vista atop Frog Lake Overlook, and a strenuous trip to remote Warren Lake. The alpine scenery between Frog Lake Overlook and Warren Lake is outstanding.
TRAIL 4
Hike, Dogs Allowed
9.6 miles, Out-and-back
Difficulty: 1 2 3 4 5
