Story by Tim Hauserman ·
Enjoying the views from the top of the Lakeview Trail at Tahoe Cross Country. | Tim Hauserman ·
For the Tahoe mountain biker, the recent steady rains are like powder to a skier. Something not to be missed. Rain eliminates the dust and makes the trails firm, tacky and a pleasure to ride. Ride now, because soon the trails will become brown, dusty powder, which is not as much fun as the white kind we love in the winter.
The Tahoe area is loaded with options for mountain bikers, so head out your back door and explore. Here are a few of my favorites rides:
Burton Creek State Park
The amazing and enormous network of trails at Burton Creek State Park, part of Tahoe Cross Country, has something for everyone from beginners to experts who want to work it hard and technical. The trails reach from just above Tahoe City to Northstar, Brockway Summit or down to the Truckee River near Olympic Valley. A series of maps at key intersections will help to guide you, which is a good thing, because there are so many trails it can be convoluted to figure out where you are.
The easiest place to start is at Tahoe Cross Country. The main trail climbs briefly, and then passes through the remnants of a former golf course. Pass the first water tank, and a myriad of options await. Most trails climb north and west, providing fun descents on the way back to the trailhead. Trails lead to the Fiberboard Freeway, the Tahoe Rim Trail and Watson Lake. Or all the way to the lofty top of Mount Watson, where you will find stellar views of Lake Tahoe. There are also a number of easier routes around Antone Meadows and on the Tahoe Cross Country ski trails, providing plenty of opportunities for those looking for an easier ride.
Wildflowers are in full bloom at Page Meadows. | Tim Hauserman ·
Emigrant Trail
This 18-mile round trip begins 5 miles north of Truckee on Highway 89. It’s a long-time favorite for beginners and intermediates, and the spring go-to spot, as it’s the first major trail to emerge from the snow.
Look for wildflowers, grassy meadows and a scattered pine forest as the trail winds up and down to Stampede Reservoir. It’s a great ride for everyone, from those fairly new to the riding game, to the expert who wants to spin some fast miles. The trail is an out and back, or can be combined via dirt road with a jaunt to Boca Reservoir.
Page Meadows
Page Meadows is the centerpiece of a series of trails that span the area between Tahoe City, Ward Canyon and Alpine Meadows. You will find fun terrain, mountain views, and if you head out soon, fields of wildflowers.
Begin your adventure less than a mile outside Tahoe City at the end of Rawhide Drive. Climb steadily for a mile to a leveling of the trail. Another mile of easier trail leads to a junction. Straight heads to Page Meadows, where wildflowers await. Or, go right, cross a snippet of meadow and meet the Tahoe Rim Trail. Here a left turn brings a lovely mile of fun, rolling terrain to another junction, where a left heads downhill to Page Meadows, while straight ahead begins an easy climb for a mile to a junction.
From there, a left takes you on a long climb to the top of Alpine Meadows’ Lakeview Chair and impressive lake views, while straight ahead a steep descent leads to the Alpine Meadows neighborhood. From here, return to Tahoe City via the Truckee River Bike Trail.
The trail network at Tahoe Donner includes spectacular views of Castle Peak, Flog Lake Cliffs and the Euer Valley | Kenny Blum, Tahoe Donner
Tahoe Donner
A network of trails fan out from Tahoe Donner Cross Country’s new lodge. Find a map of the trail options at the trailhead. All those great ski trails that climb along the Hawks Peak ridge, sit on dirt roads making for great riding. The spectacular views of Castle Peak and the Frog Lake Cliffs to the west, and the long, lovely Euer Valley below to the north, are just as nice in the summer as the winter.
There is also some great single track. From Hastings Cut Off, take the Mother Lode trail, which is a smooth, flowy series of switchbacks and hairpin turns that lead to a crossing of another dirt road. Here Hidden Gem awaits, a lovely and fun single track that dashes through blooming mule ears and lupine down to a road that circles Euer Valley. From there more riding opportunities await throughout the valley, before making the climb back to your trailhead.
