Archive for the ‘Summer Recreation’ Category
by Tim Hauserman
One of my favorite events on the summer calendar every year is the Tour De Manure metric century ride, this year set for June 18th in Sierraville. The 62 mile ride passes through spectacularly beautiful farm country with wildflowers and a plethora of birds. And the company is awesome, a great group of Tahoe and Truckee riders who get to enjoy a day in the relaxing farm country of the Sierra Valley. After the ride, the fun continues with great food and music.
The ride:
Starting in Sierraville (25 miles north of Truckee on Highway 89) you head north on Highway 89/49 to Sattley, where a right turn begins the long pull across the Sierra Valley on A-23. The roads are straight and flat, and lightly traveled, making perfect conditions for large groups of riders to peloton across the valley. At Highway 70 in Beckwourth, a right turn brings you to A-24 which winds back across the wide open rangeland to Loyalton. Here, the first real hill is added with an out and back jaunt on Smithneck Road. The final leg is back to Sierraville along Highway 49, with plenty of awesome views and birds to help you complete the circle. Hopefully you get here before the notorious Sierra Valley afternoon winds add an extra level of spice to the event.
The volunteers:
As Doug Read, one of the organizers says, “It’s a bunch of firefighters who never get on bikes putting on a century ride for people who do.” And yes, it is a great bunch of firefighters who volunteer to make the event a success, but it is also a joint effort of much of the town of Sierraville, as the event is the major fundraiser for the local fire department. The volunteers give the event a happy small town feel that can’t be beat.
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The food and music
Tri tip and chicken, pasta and salad, and plenty of desserts. And beer of course. You’ve built up an appetite, they will take care of it. While eating you can listen to Tahoe and Sierra Valley resident Michael Hogan and The Simpletones play country and blue grass until the cows come home, or you are ready for a nap.
To register go to tourdemanure.org
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THINK OF ME, LYNN RICHARDSON, FOR ALL OF YOUR LAKE TAHOE AND TRUCKEE REAL ESTATE NEEDS!
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Controlled burn near Meeks Bay
By Tim Hauserman
The Meeks Bay trail is one of the easiest and most popular routes into Desolation Wilderness. At just ten miles south of Tahoe City, it is also the closest trailhead into Desolation if you are coming from Truckee or North Lake Tahoe. While the five mile tromp into Crag Lake is certainly a worthwhile endeavor, Meeks Bay can also be a perfect locale for an easy walk before the snow gets too deep.
I headed out on the Meeks Bay trail on a brisk Saturday afternoon. The first mile is almost level, and follows the sandy surface of an old dirt road. In about a mile, the dirt road reaches a junction. The trail into Desolation Wilderness heads uphill on single track to your right, and the the road continues straight ahead and stays in the meadow.
From this junction, if you go straight, the road peters down to trail, and soon reaches the remains of Camp Waisu, a former girl scout camp. All that is left now is the concrete foundation of the main building, and a few ancient latrines with all the walls and roof gone, but the seats still proudly waiting for a posterior to come along.
If you stay on this trail, you soon reach Meeks Creek. You can turn around here, or cross it and follow the creek downstream back towards Lake Tahoe. Tucked up against the north facing moraine of the edge of the valley, this side of the valley is moister and more lush than the main trail.
On my trip, a controlled burn was in the process and the valley was full of smoke. I passed several smoldering dead trees and the smoke gave off a fun, eerie feeling. I should have come here on Halloween. Eventually, the trail hits a dirt road, which then meets a paved driveway, which bring you to dirt trail and back to the highway, just a 100 yards south of the main trailhead.
To get there: Take Highway 89 (West Lake Blvd.) 10 miles south of Tahoe City, the trailhead is on your right at the big turn in the highway.
Controlled burns help keep Tahoe’s forests healthy
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By Tim Hauserman
One of the awesome things about Lake Tahoe is that even though I’ve lived here a million years, I can still find amazing places that I’ve never been to before. Such was the case this week, when I made my first short hike up to the Stateline Look Out. It sits above the North Shore casinos on the California/Nevada border and the view is absolutely stupendous. I was kicking myself for not getting there sooner.
Where to begin:
Take the first left on the Incline Village side of the North Shore casinos at Reservoir Road. In a short distance, turn right on Lakeview (where you will see a sign that says Lookout). Take a left at the first “Y”, then at the next “Y” your trail begins behind the gate on the left. It’s a residential area with just a few parking spaces near the trailhead, so try to go on a weekday. You could also park at the The Biltmore and walk up the road, which would add a pleasant mile to the hike.
The route heads uphill moderately steeply on an old paved road. In about a half mile the grade moderates where a paved narrow trail heads off to your left. Several interpretative panels provide interesting information about the lake, but the views from this trail are so stunning you might not want to take your eyes away from the lake.
The ridgetop location provides two distinct views of Lake Tahoe within a short distance. First, you get a panoramic view to the east of the lake, Incline Village and the casinos, and then just a bit further, you are looking west at the shoreline of Kings Beach and Tahoe Vista. As the path traverses around the ridgetop you pass several benches before a quick climb brings you to the rock walled patio area where the actual fire lookout once stood. After you’ve had your fill, follow the path back to the road and retrace your steps back to the car.
In just an hour or less this short hike gives you a chance to stretch out your legs and discover one of the best views of the lake you will find anywhere.
Thanks to my friend Nina for most of these photos. Check out her images at Photos by Nina-Photography. ninaphototahoe.com
THINK OF ME, LYNN RICHARDSON, FOR ALL OF YOUR LAKE TAHOE AND TRUCKEE REAL ESTATE NEEDS!
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