Summer
There is a ton of stuff to do when the snow
melts: think the high Sierra with a shower and a bed, or think Tahoe without
the crowds: here's a sample
Lakes
Lake Kirkwood:
West on Hwy 88 one mile, turn off on signed road to your right. Great for
swimming, short flat trail circles the lake.
Caples Lake:
East on Hwy 88 ¼ mile. Boat rentals,
swimming
Silver Lake:
West on Hwy 88 5 miles. Boat rentals,
swimming, picnic area
Pope Beach, Lake Tahoe:
Take Hwy 88 East to 89 to 50. Go straight
at the "y" to Camp Richardson. Watch for signs to Pope Beach on your
right.
Blue Lakes:
Hwy 88 east to Blue Lake Rd. The road to
the first lake is paved, then it’s a dirt road.
Silver Springs Reservoir:
West on Hwy 88
Bear Creek Reservoir:
West on Hwy 88
Woods Lake:
Hwy 88 east. Watch for signs on your
right after Caples Lake. Great picnic area.
Hiking Lakes (all hiking distances are
one way)
Shealor Lake:
The small parking area is on your right just west of Silver Lake as you
start up the hill. Distance: 1 ½ miles, about 300 feet elevation gain.
Lovely spot with waterfall into lake.
Emigrant Lake:
Trailhead is at Caples Lake Dam. Flat hike to end of lake, then moderate
uphill for about 2 miles. Four+ miles; allow at least 2 hours each way.
Forested walk the entire way (good on a hot day). Beautiful lake set
in a glacial Cirque. Good backpack trip. Nice beach at lake.

Winnemucca Lake:
two ways there: From Woods Lake, about 2.3 miles of moderate climb. Or leave
from Carson Pass past Frog Lake to Winnemuca. It’s a moderate size lake with
limited campsites. Nice wildflowers.
Meiss Lake:
Trailhead is just before Carson Pass on your left. 4 miles, moderate 1500
foot climb. At the top you look onto upper Truckee River source. There are 5
Lakes in the area; Meiss is a meadowy, shallow lake with warm water.
Showers Lake:
5.1 mile hike. Meadowy shore with forests
nearby. Good wildflowers.Great campsites.
Round Lake:
About 2 miles past Meiss Lake. Volcanic walls come down to the lake.
Round Top Lake:
one mile from Winnemucca Lake. Lake sits
at the base of Round Top; at 10,200 feet it’s the tallest in the area. There
is a trail from the lake to the top of Round Top.
Fourth of July Lake:
Go past Round Top Lake and drop 1500 feet
into Fourth of July Lake. Moderate size, pretty lake. Hard climb back out.
If you continue past Fourth of July Lake you come to Silver City Creek
(takes more than one day)
Lake Margaret:
Leaves a short way from the cross country center on the left. About 2 miles
to lake; first ½ mile gets you to Caples Creek. Forested entire way. Lake is
rimmed with granite and boulders.
Granite Lake:
Drive to Blues Lake. Trail crosses stream and climbs up to Granite Lake, at
the tree line. Small very pretty lake, about 1.5 miles.
Kinney Lake:
(a bit of a drive) Take 88E to Markleville, then Hwy 4W to Ebbet’s Pass.Park
at the pass. Head north on the Pacific Crest Trail. About 1.7 miles to
Kinney. Good campsites, great kid backpack.
Echo Lake to Lake of the Woods:
Take 88E to 89, 89N to 50 W and watch for signs to Echo Lake. Park at the
lodge and take boat taxi on Echo Lake to the end. Hike about 4 miles over a
800 foot pass to Lake of the Woods, at the base of Pyramid Peak in
Desolation Wilderness. Multiple other lakes in the area.
Hiking: Historic
The old emigrant trail can be accessed
from the Caples Lake trailhead or by riding the lift in the summer (or
walking) over to the Sunrise (#4) lift. The old route passed through this
area and up over Wagon Wheel Pass. There are markers. For more details see
the extensive hiking book selection at the Chalet.
Horse Back Riding
Kirkwood Stables:
Reservations a good idea. Located near the entrance to Kirkwood on 88 (look
out the window and you can see it). 209-258-7433. They also offer overnight
boarding and wagon rides around the meadow. Call the stables for Mountain
Horsemanship Camps details and dates.
Camp Richardson Stable:
88E to 89N to 50. At the "y" go straight to Camp Richardson. Reservations
suggested.
Golf Courses
Lake Tahoe Golf Coarse
35 minutes drive toward south Lake Tahoe.
Genoa Lakes. 40 minutes away
(88E) to Genoa. Home to many tournaments. Rated among top three courses in
Nevada. (775) 782-GOLF
Mace Meadows. West on 88 (45
minutes)
White Water Rafting
East fork of Carson River or South
fork of the American
American River Rafting
http://www.arrafting.com/ (we
done a couple trips with them - they were great)
Fishing
Basically anywhere with water there
are fish. But you may have the best luck at:
Carson River (east and west forks)
E. Walker River
Caples Creek
Caples Lake Dam
Hope Valley
“Horse Feathers” fly fishing school and guide service.
Topaz Lake (775) 266-3343
Open January 1 through September 30. German and Rainbow Trout
Angler’s Edge (775) 782-4734
Grover Hot Springs State Park
88E to Markleville; turn onto plainly
marked Grover Hot Springs Rd. in "downtown" Markleville. Two large swimming
pools from naturally fed hot springs. They limit the number of people
allowed in the pools, but not the amount of time you can stay, which means
you may have to wait. Probably best to come early in the day, during the
week, or late evening. Open all year, including the winter.
Lake Tahoe Cruise
M.S. Dixie II (775) 588-3508
Zephyr Cove, NV. The paddlewheeler cruises Lake Tahoe.
Reservations recommended.
Hornblower Cruises (800) 23TAHOE
Tahoe Queen (530) 544-8069
Woodwind Sailing Cruises (888) 867-6394
Stateline, Nevada:
casinos
Miniature golf
Cinema
Minden
South Lake Tahoe
Boat Rentals
Canoe and motor boat: Caples Lake,
Silver Lake
Kayak: Kirkwood