March 13, 2015 6:31 am
3By Tim Hauserman
While many of the higher elevation trails around Tahoe and Truckee are still covered in snow, this mild winter has made it possible to hike a few lower elevation trails that you rarely encounter snow free before May, let alone March:
Negro Canyon and the Donner Lake Rim Trail
A few miles east of Truckee, just off I-80 at the Donner Lake Exit, you will find the Wendin Way Access Trail to the Donner Lake Rim Trail. The snow melts fast off this sun baked south facing bowl, and the well graded trail is a pleasure to hike. After a mile, you join the Donner Lake Rim Trail, where you find another mile of steeper climbing to the Tahoe Donner Cross-Country Ski Area’s Drifter hut at the top of the ridge. If you’ve skied to Drifter before, you will find this hike a piece of cake in comparison, and yet you still get awesome views of the snow covered Sierra crest.
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Vikingsholm
Now, when crowds are absent, is the time to enjoy Lake Tahoe’s most popular hiking trail to the Vikingsholm mansion in Emerald Bay. Take the one mile descent to the waters edge, then follow the south facing shoreline on the Rubicon Trail to the entrance of the bay, and then along Tahoe’s west shore towards Bliss State Park. A sit at the end of the Boat Campground pier, with it’s views of Maggies Peaks and Eagle Falls, makes for a nice break.
Tahoe Rim Trail-North from Tahoe City.
From the trailhead along Fairway Drive in Tahoe City, the Tahoe Rim Trail climbs through cedar and fir while dishing out views of Lake Tahoe and Tahoe City. In about a mile, a wide panorama of the lake opens up, as well as views of the Truckee River Canyon. If you have more time and energy, keep walking, as you pass nearly constant views of the Truckee River and Lake Tahoe.
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East shore beaches
While skinny dipping in March might not be on your list of things to do, perhaps enjoying the lovely beaches of the east shore with clothes on, but crowds gone, sounds attractive. Several short trails lead from Highway 28 down to the lovely, rocky shore of Lake Tahoe. Wander past all the tidy little coves and pick your perfect little secluded beach to ponder the beauty of Tahoe.
THINK OF ME, LYNN RICHARDSON, FOR ALL OF YOUR LAKE TAHOE AND TRUCKEE REAL ESTATE NEEDS!
Posted by lynnnrichardson
Categories: Fall Recreation, Lake Tahoe, Spring Recreation, Summer Recreation, Truckee
Tags: Donner Lake CA, Emerald Bay CA, High Sierra Hikes. Vikingsholm CA, Lake Tahoe and Truckee Recreation, Lake Tahoe East Shore Beaches, Lynn Richardson Lake Tahoe Truckee Real Estate, popular Lake Tahoe and Truckee Hikes, spring, summer and fall recreation, Tahoe Rim Trail, what to do at Lake Tahoe when there is no snow to ski, what to do while visiting Lake Tahoe
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