Hiking Trails - North & East Shore of Tahoe

 

A topographic map and compass are recommended for all hikes.
Weather conditions can change rapidly Be prepared with the proper
clothing and equipment, food and water, no matter how short the hike.
If you bring your pet on the trail, put it on a leash to minimize its impact on
wildlife and other visitors. Observe common courtesy and follow trail regulations.
Remember to practice minimum impact camping and pack out what you pack in.
 
 
The table below suggests trails located around the north and east shore of
Lake Tahoe. Information regarding distance and difficulty is provided below.
Following the table are brief descriptions to the trailheads.
 
 

 Trails

Diffculty 

 Elevation:Low/High

 Mileage: One Way

1. Stateline Lookout

Easy

7017'

 0.5 miles

2. Prey Meadows / Skunk Harbor

Easy

6200'/6800'

1.5 miles

3. Marlette Lake

Moderate

 7200'/7760'

5.0 miles

4. Rim Trail North

Moderate

7000'/8600'

5 mi. to Marlette
Lake/13 mi. to Tunnel
Creek

 5. Rim Trail South

Moderate

7000'/8860'

2 mi. to Duane Bliss Peak / 3 mi. to South Camp/ 4 mi. to Genoa Peak /12 mi. to Hwy.
207 (Kingsbury Gr.)

6. Mt. Rose

Strenuous

8700'/10778'

6 miles
 
1. STATELINE LOOKOUT:

From Highway 28 on the north shore of Lake Tahoe, turn north on
Reservoir Drive, just east of the old Tahoe Biltmore Casino. Turn
right on Lakeshore Ave. and left on Forest Service Road 1601 (by
the iron pipe gate). Park in the parking lot just below the lookout.
During the summer the lookout is staffed with knowledgeable
volunteers. Superb views of the lake can be seen through the free
telescopes located here. A short self-guided nature trail, located
by the lookout, explains the history of the north shore of Lake Tahoe.
 
2. PREY MEADOWS/SKUNK HARBOR:

Take Highway 28 from Highway 50 north approximately 2 miles. Look
for an iron pipe gate on the west side of the highway. Park in one
of the turnouts along the highway and do not block the gate.
Snow free in early spring, this is a great walk through a mixed
conifer forest with filtered views of Lake Tahoe along the way.
Look for the remains of an old railroad grade along the way, built
in the 1870's as part of the network to supply timber to Virginia
City. When you reach a fork in the road, you have two options. The
left fork leads to Prey Meadows which is blanketed with many
varieties of wildflowers in the spring. The right fork leads you to
Skunk Harbor, a small picturesque cove which offers great swimming
and sunbathing in the summer.
 
3. MARLETTE LAKE:

Park at the Spooner Lake Trailhead, located in Lake Tahoe Nevada
State Park, just north/west of the Highway 50/28 junction. A
parking fee is charged. Dogs are allowed on a leash.
A moderate five mile uphill hike leads you through picturesque
North Canyon, lined with aspens, to Marlette Lake. This road
provides access to the Flume Trail, a popular mountain biking
trail, which starts at Marlette Lake Dam. No fishing is allowed at
Marlette Lake because it is a fish hatchery.
 
North Canyon Trail. Spooner Lake to Marlette Lake, 10 miles roundtrip.
 
4. TAHOE RIM TRAIL - NORTH:

Take Highway 50 east approximately 1/2 mile from the junction of Highway 50
and 28. Parking is located just beyond the summit along the north side of the highway.
This trail provides wonderful views of the Carson Valley as well as glimpses of Lake
Tahoe along a forested trail. Just before Snow Peak, the trail forks. The left fork leads
you down steep switchbacks to the road to Marlette Lake.
The right fork eventually leads you to Tunnel Creek Road.
 
5. TAHOE RIM TRAIL - SOUTH:

Park at the Spooner Summit Rest Area located along Highway 50.
The trail begins behind the Nevada Department of Transportation
building. Several views of the Carson Valley as well as glimpses of
Lake Tahoe can be seen along this forested trail. It is possible to
climb Duane Bliss Peak (8,658'), South Camp Peak (8,866'), or Genoa
Peak (9,150') by traversing cross country.
 
6. MT. ROSE:

Take Highway 431 (Mt. Rose Hwy.) north of Incline Village. Park at
the trailhead located one mile south of the summit.
Mt. Rose (10,778'), one of the highest peaks near Lake Tahoe,
offers excellent views of the lake, the city of Reno and the
surrounding area. Follow a dirt road for three miles through a
lodgepole cloaked forest interspersed with mule ears and sagebrush.
In the spring, a lush meadow at the halfway point us filled with
lupine, paintbrush and larkspur. The last two miles follow slippery
switchbacks to the ridge line. Write your name in the log book
located at the summit to show the world you made it!
 
Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit

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