We like to think that Tahoe/Truckee has something for everyone in the summer. Your two year old can play in the sand on one of our glorious lakeside beaches. The more culturally inclined can spend an evening watching a concert or a Shakespeare performance along the lakeshore. The adrenaline junkie can hop on a road bike and climb to the top of Donner Summit, join in a mountain biking race, kayak around the lake, or take a hike into the wilderness. But perhaps the quintessential Tahoe activity that will make everybody happy on a warm summer day is to take a rafting trip down the Truckee River.
You begin just below the dam in Tahoe City, and travel downstream four miles to The River Ranch. While there are a few stretches of minor rapids to keep you on your toes, in comparison to real white water, it’s a piece of cake. So what’s the attraction? While it’s often close to the busy highway and bike trail, being on the river feels like another world. It’s a ribbon of water pulsing through a zone of green, and it’s an incredibly relaxing way to spend a few hours.
On a mid-summer weekend, it’s also a lively place. Water shooting devices are highly recommended to help those poor overheated folks in the next raft over get a chance to cool down. It’s also doesn’t require any forethought. You just drive right up to one of the two rafting companies, and in fairly short order you will find yourself in a boat. Once you disembark at River Ranch, you can dine alfresco with several hundred of your new friends on the patio and then catch the rafting company shuttle back to town. You can also buy your own float or tube, and arrange your own shuttle. Obviously this is a more cumbersome procedure, but if you plan on taking the trip a number of times per summer it might be worth it. Do remember to find a floating object that is built strong enough to actually make it down the river still full of air. It is not fun to have to walk several miles along the river carrying the remains of your $12 raft that couldn’t quite make it all the way downstream.
Note, From July 1st to July 7th , alcohol is not allowed in rafts or on the shore of the Truckee River.
Where to go: Contact Truckee River Rafting by Mountain Air Sports, at 530-583-1111 or http://www.truckeeriverrafting.com
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Emerald Bay with Mt Tallac in the distance.
Like it or not, the snow appears to be melting, which means that you will soon be seeing freshly popped snowflowers along the hiking trails, and our beloved Truckee area mountain biking trails will be dry. The deep layers of winter sand will soon be removed from our favorite road biking routes and the temperatures will warm up enough to make kayaking on the lake seem like an attractive alternative. Of course it is spring, which also means it might snow like crazy and puts the kibosh on all that good stuff. Anything can happen in April and May, and probably will. Next week could bring daffodils or a fresh dumping of snow.
So just for fun, let’s assume this warm, snow melting weather continues. What do we do?
Kayak/Paddleboard-On a calm, sunny day in the spring you really can have the lake to yourself. At Donner Lake you can put in just about anywhere along Donner Pass Road. At Tahoe, the Common’s Beach in Tahoe City, or Hurricane Bay on the West Shore are easily accessible put ins. But don’t forget, that water is cold in April, so stay out of it.
Springtime Hikes-The first trails to emerge from the snow are south facing, lower elevation trails. The trail to the Vikingsholm and along the south facing side of Emerald Bay is one of the best, and the time to hike it is now, before the summer crowds arrive. Another good springtime hiking choice is the low-lying Tahoe Rim Trail heading north from Fairway Drive out of Tahoe City.
Truckee Trails-One of the first mountain biking (or hiking) trails to melt out is the Emigrant Trail between Prosser and Stampede Reservoirs. This is always a great ride, but especially in the spring when it is the only real game in town. It can get a bit busy on the weekends, so try to find time to get there mid-week if you can.
Sierra Valley-Now is the time to head to Sierraville with your road bike to ride the circuit around the Sierra Valley. A variety of routes in the 20-50 mile range are available on lightly used roads which travel over mostly level terrain. In the spring the valley is wet which means lots of wildflowers and an incredible variety of birds.
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Spring is upon us in the mountains (or what passes for spring here), which means this may be one of the last opportunities this year to go for a moonlight snowshoe. If you have never done this before, it is one of those beyond words experiences to remember! Should the sky be clear, the moon lights up the snow as if from a fairytale dream, negating the necessity of flashlights. (But bring one just in case).
If you prefer your athletic endeavors in the daylight, there are also many day snowshoe events as well.
Dress warm, pack a hot beverage of your choice, and keep your nose to the wind for the smell of ‘s’mores‘ wafting in the air. Always a good time.
Here are some local areas that are offering snowshoe tours this month.
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Moonlight on Squaw Valley. For more events at Squaw Valley, visit their website on the link below.
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http://www.squaw.com/things-to-do/events-calendar/guided-moonight-snowshoe-tours
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Guided Moonlight Snowshoe Tours – Squaw Valley
Explore Squaw Valley under a full winter moon. As the moon lights the way our experienced guides will lead you on a snowshoe tour along Siberia Ridge. Lake Tahoe glows under the winter moonlight and you feel like you are on top of the world. Fun for all ages, cost includes snowshoe rentals (you must supply your own poles if needed). Dress appropriately and wear sturdy winter boots.
For reservations – call 800-403-0206
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MARCH 22-23
Snowshoe Social & Race Series – Northstar at Tahoe
Join us for the Northstar Snowshoe Social & Race Series taking place December 22 (USSSA National Championships Qualifier), January 27 (Tahoe Rim Tour & Race), and March 23 (Truckee Tahoe Humane Society Fundraiser). The December and March races will feature a 5k, 10k and kid’s races while the January race, in conjunction with the Tahoe Rim Tour & Race, will be a point-to-point 21K snowshoe from the North Tahoe High School to the Northstar Cross Country, Telemark & Snowshoe Center. The third race will be a fundraiser for the Truckee Tahoe Humane Society and we will allow dogs on the cross country trails that day only. There will be fun for all ages at the finish of each race. During the December and March race dates we’ll have live music at the finish along with snacks, beers and sodas, 10k awards and a raffle for all. During the January race there will be a chili lunch, awards and a raffle. For more info:
http://www.northstarattahoe.com/info/ski/snowshoe_social_race_series.asp
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MARCH 23
Winter Wildlife snowshoe – Mount Rose Tahoe Rime Trail Association and Tahoe Institute for Natural Science host a Winter Wildlife Survival Snowshoe at Tahoe Meadows at 10am. Enjoy a snowshoe trek and learn about winter ecology and survival strategies of wildlife. For the entire family. Moderate, 2-3 miles. Bring equipment and dress appropriately.
Register at http://tahoerimtrail.org/
Sunset Snowshoe – Area Venue
Tahoe Adventure Company hosts a Sunset Snowshoe every Saturday through April featuring natural history discussions, hot drinks and snacks. No experience necessary. $65, includes equipment. Reservations (530) 913-9212
Full Moon Snowshoe – Tahoma
West Shore Sports hosts a Full Moon Snowshoe at Sugar Pine Point State Park. Benefits Sierra State Parks Foundation. $20, ($5 kids), includes snowshoes and parking. Reservations (530) 525-9920
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MARCH 24
Snowshoe Hike – East Shore
Tahoe Rim Trail Association hosts a snowshoe hike to Marlette Lake. 7-10 miles, difficult. Bring equipment, dress appropriately and bring water and food. Free. Register at http://tahoerimtrail.org/
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MARCH 26
55+ snowshoe – Incline Village
IVGID hosts a snowshoe and lunch for 55+ with a light to moderate hike to various locations at 10 a.m. After, enjoy a buffet lunch at Sierra Nevada College. $16, $13 with IVGID pass, includes transportation. Register at (775) 832-1310
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MARCH 27
Full Moon Snowshoe – Area Venue
Tahoe Adventure Company offers a full moon snowshoe trek from 6:30 to 9:30 pm featuring professional guides, natural history discussions,, hot drins, trail snacks and searching for animal tracks. $65 includes gear. Reservations (530) 913-9212 or tahoeadventurecompany.com
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MARCH 31
Family Snowshoe Tours – Northstar at Tahoe
Grab the kids and join us for our Family Afternoon Snowshoe Tours taking place at Northstar California this winter season. These tours are a wonderful way to introduce your little ones to the great outdoors in a fun, unintimidating, friendly atmosphere. The tours are open to all ages and will be an easy snowshoe for the whole family.
Tours will begin at the Cross Country, Telemark & Snowshoe Center at 1:00 p.m. and will last approximately 3 hours. Your guide will lead you on a snowshoe adventure through some of our easier trails to a historic red caboose set in an alpine meadow for hot chocolate, cookies, and snow play!
For more information:
http://www.northstarattahoe.com/info/ski/family_snowshoe_tours.asp
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For more events in the area, visit The Weekly website (featuring North Lake Tahoe and Truckee):
http://theweeklymagazineonline.com/
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And don’t forget to check out the websites of the other ski areas in town. They often offer more events than just skiing!
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