Hiking the Tahoe Rim Trail

Map of the Tahoe Rim Trail

On May 28th, from 4pm to 8pm, the Tahoe Rim Trail Association will celebrate a 40 year ruby jubilee to commemorate the vision, volunteer activity and leadership that has created a world class recreational adventure., For a donation of $20, you can enjoy a complimentary dinner and a no-host bar in a beautiful outdoor space, a short walk from the beach.

Meet at the Nevada 4H Camp and enjoy music from the Great Basin Brass Band. Guests will take a walk down memory lane and learn about the history of the Tahoe Tim Trail.  

Enter the raffle to win new gear or bid in the silent auction to go home with a historic TRT trail sign. Meet with many TRT community members who will be telling stories around the fire pit. More Information

Register Here

The evening will conclude with a group gathering for a keynote address, and a captivating Rim Trail movie celebrating all things Tahoe Rim Trail as the sun sets.

History of the Tahoe Rim Trail

In 1860, Pony Express Riders left St. Joseph Montana, traveling through what would become the Tahoe Rim Trail to deliver mail to Sacramento, California. When Lake Tahoe was in its infancy, developers imagined making it a freeway around a city the size of San Francisco! Luckily that didn’t happen and through careful stewardship – we have a national treasure in the Tahoe Rim Trail.

Prior to the establishment of the United States Forest Service, President William McKinley designated this area as the Lake Tahoe Forest Reserve in 1899. In 1964, the Wilderness Act was passed which allowed the designation of Desolation Wilderness (1969), Granite Chief Wilderness (1984) and Mount Rose Wilderness (1989.)

In 1981, Tahoe Rim Trail founder Glen Hampton, a USFS Recreation Officer, envisioned a 150 Mile Loop following the ridge tops of Lake Tahoe. The following year, the Tahoe Rim Trail fund was founded.

By 2001, after over 200,000 volunteer hours, the 150-mile loop was complete at the California/Nevada stateline on the north shore of Lake Tahoe.

About the Tahoe Rim Trail

Today, the Tahoe Rim Trail (TRT) extends 165 miles in a single-track trail that circumnavigates Lake Tahoe. The trail meanders through both Nevada and California and extends across 6 counties. It also travels through 3 national forests and a wilderness area.

On the West Shore of Lake Tahoe, 49 miles of the Tahoe Rim Trail overlap with the Pacific Crest Trail. Above Ward Canyon, you can find access points to the Tahoe Rim Trail and hike above the Sherwood area of Alpine Meadows to connect with the Pacific Crest Trail. The Pacific Crest Trail is also accessible near the Desolation Wilderness Area.

Hikers will find many meadows and conifer forests. From June to August, you will find many wildflowers growing among the mountains and meadows.

The TRT offers breathtaking views of beautiful Lake Tahoe and a diversity of landscapes that encircle the lake. The elevation ranges from 6,300 feet at Tahoe City to 10,338 feet at the top of Relay Peak. You will find meadow lakes, winding creeks, ridges and meadows.

Trailheads

Accessible by vehicles, hikers will find 10 official trailheads that lead to eight trail segments, forming a large loop around the lake. Each segment is between 12.2 to 32.5 miles in length:

Tahoe City to Brockway Summit, Brockway Summit to Mt. Rose / Tahoe Meadows, Tahoe Meadows to Spooner Summit, Spooner Summit to Kingsbury Grade, Kingsbury Grade to Big Meadow, Big Meadow to Echo Summit / Echo Lake, Echo Summit / Echo Lake to Barker Pass, Barker Pass to Tahoe City.

Directions: Get trail conditions, trail maps, directions to the 10 trailheads, and other helpful information, by visiting the official TRT website. You can also view Trail Maps.

Lake Tahoe offers a diversity of terrains, perfect for snowshoeing, cross country skiing and hiking. Contact me today for a list of available homes and coming soon properties that have not yet hit the market. I can also provide a free property analysis of your home.