The Sierra is a beautiful place all year round, but the period between the end of ski season and the beginning of summer can be a challenging period for outdoor recreationists: It is not very Goldilocks. In general there is not enough snow to ski, but too much for hiking and biking. But don’t get discouraged, all you need to do to enjoy this time of year is follow the sun…no, not to Southern California, but to the places where the snow melts the fastest. Here are a few Tahoe area spring time snow melting rules to keep in mind:
-It snows more on the west side of the Sierra, and Lake Tahoe, than the east side.
-South and west facing slopes melt faster then north and east facing slopes.
-Open areas melt faster than forested areas.
-Lower elevations get less snow and warmer temperatures, so the snow melts fastest.
So what does all this mean for your outdoor recreation plans?
The low lying areas around Truckee are one of the first places available to find dirt-For mountain biking, think the Emigrant Trail from Highway 89 to Stampede Reservoir and the dirt roads around Prosser, Boca and Stampede Reservoirs.
The south facing, lake level elevation Emerald Bay-Rubicon Trail is a great early season hike…especially since while the bay is as beautiful as ever, the hordes of summer tourists are absent. Enjoy.
Once you have ridden the Emigrant Trail and hiked to Emerald Bay, go to the east shore portions of the Tahoe Rim Trail. From Spooner Summit you might be able to hike south to South Camp Peak by early May, or north to Snow Valley Peak. Both give you spectacular views of Lake Tahoe (and one heck of a workout).
The absence of crowds in the spring also makes it a great time to hit the pavement for some road biking. Always wanted to ride around Lake Tahoe, but never quite got around to it? Find a sunny mid-week day and go at it. Interested in a kayak trip on Donner Lake or Lake Tahoe? In the spring, the motorboats are absent. So pick a glassy day and you just might have the lake to yourself.
If you are coming up, and are interested in looking at property, the spring is a great time to look. Just give me a call and I can make all the arrangements. And if you are considering selling, remember that as the crowds increase, so do the number of listings on the market…beat the rush and the market by getting your home listed first.
YOUR FRIEND IN HIGH PLACES 