YOUR FRIEND IN HIGH PLACES   Lynn Richardson . Coldwell Banker Real Estate . Lake Tahoe & Truckee

By Tim Hauserman

Photos courtesy Anne Greenwood

While hopefully skiing in the mountains will continue through April, many Tahoe/Truckee folks are beginning to get the itch to find a patch of warmer temperatures, put on some walking shoes, and stretch out their legs on a dirt trail. I discovered just the ticket last week. After a beautiful morning of cross-country skiing, I headed to the western edge of Reno and enjoyed a short sleeved hike on the Hunter Creek Trail. I highly recommend it.

The Hunter Creek Trail begins with a wood plank fording of Hunter Creek before beginning a moderately steep ascent on a traverse along the slope of the canyon. Soon you climb well above the creek, hiking through beautiful, open desert landscape with views towards the snow capped ridgeline to the south, and of downtown Reno behind you to the north. Meadows and side canyons sit enticingly below as you keep ascending towards the forest, which sits above, hard against a snowcapped ridge.

About two miles in, you find smoother footing when you reach the forest of Jeffrey pine, white fir and mountain mahogany near the banks of Hunter Creek. Here in the shade, you cross a few muddy sections of trail, before a challenging log crossing of the creek brings you to the base of the lovely Hunter Creek Falls, a double cascade of some 30 feet.

Trail info: The tread is often rocky and children should be careful with footing on the steep slope, but just about everyone should be able to hike this trail. The total ascent on the route is around 1200 feet, with a round trip distance of about 6 miles. This route is popular, especially for families with dogs. While it is a lovely stroll in the springtime on a sunny day, the mostly exposed lower 2/3 of the trail would be a scorcher on a mid-summer day…but by then, you will be hiking in Tahoe.

Trailhead directions: Take the 4th Street Exit off of Interstate 80 west of Reno. Follow 4th Street to Mayberry and turn right. Turn right on Plateau, which ascends through a neighborhood for about a mile to a right turn on Woodchuck. Follow this to trailhead parking and restrooms at the Michael D Thompson Trailhead.

By Tim Hauserman

It happens just about every winter in the Sierra. A sustained period of little snow and warm temperatures. The deep snow pack starts to dwindle around the edges, and the formerly bright white blanket starts to brown, like it too is getting tanned in the warm Sierra sunshine. In the lower elevations, dirt patches start to reveal piles of branches which have fallen from the trees, and some of us begin to have visions of bike riding dancing in our heads. Then just about the time I started teaching cross-country skiing in my shirt sleeves, winter came roaring back.

I went to bed along Tahoe’s west shore with just a dusting of snow in the driveway, and portions of my lawn harboring the coming of spring. In the morning there was a good 10 inches of new snow, and it was snowing heavily. The trees were covered in those thick tufts of white goop which are the symbol of a true storm. It was time to ski.

I headed out from the trailhead at Tahoe Cross Country on my striding skis. Even with a strong wind blowing snow through the trees, the deep snow muffled the sound, and I skied alone in a profound sense of peace. Yes, this is what winter is about.

With the snow coming down hard, Tahoe XC’s groomers knew they would soon have to head out for more, so they skipped a few of the outer trails, including a portion of the Silver Trail which would take me out to the Silver Hut. Determined to savor a cup of hot chocolate inside this tiny little respite from the wind, I plowed through foot deep powder for about a mile. My skis frequently disappering under the white blanket. Sometimes I was more walking then skiing, but the views and the silence made it the highlight of my day.

The hut sat forlornly, surrounded by snow without a sign of any recent human visitor. As I stood inside and sipped my drink, I pondered the now unseeable Lake Tahoe and watched the steady stream of snow roll across the open slope. Winter may take a break for awhile, but often just about the time the crocuses are ready to pop their purple heads, it comes back to say howdy doody at least one more time.

By Tim Hauserman

Photo of Isabella Terrazas by  Danielle Hankinson

The Lake Tahoe Dance Collective presents it’s Winter Repertory program on March 18-20th in Tahoe City. The Dance Collective started as the Tahoe Youth Ballet in 2009 and has evolved into a company whose performers include the best local dancers as well as those from visiting dance companies. Directed by Tahoe raised, and New York City trained, dancer Christin Hanna, the collective’s mission “is to promote classical, modern and contemporary dance of the finest quality in the Lake Tahoe area through performance, education and outreach, enriching the community as a whole and as a cultural destination.”

The March performances includes the dazzling classic Paquita featuring guest Jakob Pringle and new works by Jacqueline Lopez of the Ballet Nacional de Mexico and Erik Wagner of the San Francisco Ballet. A highlight for locals will be a piece choreographed by Lake Tahoe Dance Collective and Alder Creek Middle School student 13 year old Isabella Terrazas from Truckee. “I like sharing my passion. I want others to experience it,” said Terrazas. Isabella has been dancing since she was five years old and this is her debut as a choreographer. Director Christin Hanna is quite impressed, saying, “she runs rehearsal like a badass.” Terrazas spent last summer training with the Alonzo King’s LINES Ballet in San Francisco and hopes to become a professional dancer in the future.

Performance Schedule:

Friday, March 18 7 pm
Saturday, March 19 2 and 7 pm
Sunday, March 20, 2 pm
All performances are at the Tahoe Art Haus and Cinema in The Cobblestone in Tahoe City.
Advanced tickets are $25 or $30 at the door. Discounts are available for students and seniors. For tickets go to laketahoedancecollective.org

Dance Festival: If you can’t make the Winter Repertory program, plan on being a part of the Dance Collective’s 4th Annual Lake Tahoe Dance Festival, between July 27-29th at the Gatekeepers Museum in Tahoe City.