Archive for the ‘Spring Recreation’ Category
One of the great things about life in Truckee/Tahoe is that just a short distance away there are beautiful places that feel like they are in a whole different world. One of these places is Sierraville and the rest of the Sierra Valley. It’s a land of tiny towns, cattle ranches, not too many people and lots of open space. In the spring and summer it is a place of wildflowers and the cutest little farmers market you ever did see. In the fall it is a place of fall colors and wide variety of birds including hawks and herons.
Long Lake in Lakes Basin
What’s the best way to see the Sierra Valley? Grab your road bike and head down for a ride. Start your ride in Sierraville and head towards Loyalton on Highway 49. Once in Loyalton, stay on 49 to Dyson Lane north of town, or save a few miles by turning left on Heriot Lane a few miles before Loyalton, and then riding up to Dyson Lane, where you turn left. Either way, Dyson becomes A24, as it winds through the middle of the Sierra Valley, which is loaded with marshes and streams-a birders paradise. Eventually you reach Highway 70 where a left turn takes you past the Beckworth Airport to Highway A23 where you turn left and head back towards Sierraville. Your total riding distance is between 40-50 miles depending upon which route you take, with the vast bulk of it nice and flat.
Another great spot for a ride is to head a bit further north on Highway 89 to the charming town of Graeagle and the Lakes Basin. Perhaps begin your day with a yoga class in Graeagle’s new studio, Trails Within. It is located in one of those charming red buildings that make up Graeagle’s teensy downtown. Then get your heart pumping with the seven mile uphill on Gold Lakes Road to Lakes Basin, a land of beautiful lakes tucked in between granite outcroppings. Of course if you really wanted to complete your day and get a good nights sleep, you can continue past spectacular views of the Sierra Buttes to Bassets, head up over Yuba Pass back to Highway 89, and head north back to your car in Graeagle. Whew. Yes, that is a long way, but an incredible ride.
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Last year, during the first week of May, our back yards were still buried in several feet of snow, ski areas were still rolling along with more snow then they knew what to do with, and it would be months before our favorite hiking and biking trails would emerge from the snow. Even the hardiest of snow lovers were thinking that getting out of town to someplace warm was a good idea. The favorite phrase used by Tahoeites last May? Enough Already.
This year, it’s a whole different place. The Emigrant Trail, a mountain bikers favorite north of Truckee, is totally rideable without a lick of snow. The only thing white you will see on your hike from Bliss State Park to Vikingsholm this week, is the snow high up on the slopes of Mt. Tallac, and when you look into your backyard this May what you see are flowers and grass (and of course all that tree debris that you haven’t gotten around to raking yet…what’s the hurry, last year you didn’t have to do it until July).
This year, when the surveyors ventured out for their April 30th snow survey the challenging part was finding snow to survey. What they did find led them to declare that the central Sierra snow pack was only 35% of normal, while last year it was in the 150% range, and then it continued to snow more throughout May. It looks like we are in for an early summer, but don’t get too excited and plant your gardens yet, because as all of us long time mountain people know…it always snows on Memorial Day.
You say you want to go hiking, but first you need a house? How about this one?
51705 Jeffery Pine, Donner Summit. This beautiful mountain home offers exceptional craftsmanship & comfort along with backcounty access just steps from your door. Ideal mountain design has open great room, concrete floors with in-floor heat, rock hearth & gas fireplace, kitchen with granite counters & stainless appliances. At 3300 square feet this home has room for everyone with cozy loft and rec room upstairs and 3 spacious bedrooms downstairs. The huge covered deck is south facing & perfect for entertaining. And when you are done enjoying the outdoors or entertaining, there is a hot tub on the lower patio. With the Yuba River flowing nearby and Sierra Lakes and trails ready to explore this stunning custom home is waiting for the next family to enjoy. $579,000.
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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.
Share this: Lynn Richardson, Your Friend in High Places
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