Exploring the great outdoors
By Tim Hauserman ·
Hiking enthusiast Carmen Carr shares her passion for the outdoors by leading monthly, guided hikes in the region. | Tim Hauserman
Tucked up against the Pacific Crest at the end of 4 miles of dirt road in Coldstream Canyon lies the Lost Trail Lodge. The lodge includes a large kitchen and common area, with several individual rooms and cabins connected to the main area. It has a lovely, woodsy ambiance and is totally off the grid, using solar energy and a back-up generator for power, and two wells for water.
Courtesy Tim Hauserman
Lost Trail Lodge is a place for relaxation or enjoying the nearby skiing and hiking. A babbling creek is close by, and Tinker Knob and Anderson Peak are about 6 miles of mostly uphill climbing away. Outside are four storage sheds topped with solar panels, and several other outbuildings sit in the trees nearby. Inside the spacious living room there are musical instruments, games and books. Whatever it takes to while away a few snowy days. A snowy few days, don’t you just love the sound of that?
Alas, when I arrived at the lodge it was not to stay, but as part of a group of 18 hikers who had made the trek for lunch with Carmen Carr. We lounged around the grounds and dined at the picnic tables, while trying not to disturb the paying customers who were probably enjoying a beautifully cooked meal while listening to music inside. There is a quiet and peaceful feeling to the place, and if time allowed, I can imagine wondering through the surrounding forest or making my way up to the ridge. Once you have been there, spending a night inside on a snowy evening will most likely be added to your to-do list for Tahoe life.
Courtesy Tim Hauserman
In January, the journey to the Lodge should certainly involve snowshoes or cross-country skis, but this Junuary, we were wearing hiking boots while walking over the frozen mud. Carr has been leading free, monthly hikes in the Tahoe and Truckee region for a number of years. On this day, there was a good mix of long-time locals and visitors, all happy to be out enjoying the sunshine. The conversation was friendly and the relaxed group of hikers cruised along at a leisurely pace.
The easy-to-follow road takes you through a predominantly Jeffrey pine forest, past a number of frozen ponds and across the railroad tracks to the lodge. A few times, you catch lovely glimpses of the snowcapped Pacific Crest high above. The trains use this canyon to slowly switchback up to a high enough elevation to conquer Donner Pass, so you are likely to see a train go rolling by below you to your left, and then a few minutes later it is above you to the right. Several tricky stream crossings are involved, and great care needs to be taken when crossing the busy railroad tracks, but in general, it’s an easy hike that almost anyone should be able to do.
Bring water, layers of clothing, sturdy hiking shoes and lunch. With sufficient snow, the trips involve snowshoes.
To book a room at the Lost Trail Lodge, visit losttraillodge.com. Individual rooms are $99 per person per night, and the entire lodge may be rented for $1,380 per night, with reduced rates for more than 4 nights.
For more information on Carmen’s free, monthly, guided hikes, visit carmencarr.com and check the Event calendar in each edition of Tahoe Weekly.
Guided hikes
March 21 | Pole Creek
April 18 | Dry Lake
May 23 | Rubicon Trail
June 20 | Negro Canyon
