Thunderstorms likely this weekend

This could be a wet weekend for Tahoe, especially along the crest and the southern part of the region.

A cell of high pressure building over the Four Corners region is going to bring a slow warming trend to the Sierra while also pulling a train of sub tropical moisture up from the Pacific. That combination will mean an increasing threat of thunderstorms through at least Saturday.

It looks like the chances will get better each day, with some serious cumulus forming this afternoon, then storms likely Friday and even more so on Saturday. By late Saturday those storms could be tapping into as much as an inch of precipitable moisture, so some pretty good downpours are possible.

Temperatures along the lake will slowly climb from the mid 70s into the low 80s by Saturday before leveling off Sunday and Monday. The threat of thunderstorms is also likely to subside a bit as the new week begins.

Hike of the week: Ward Creek to Tahoe City

Vistas, Lakes and Wildflowers: Ward Creek to Tahoe City

Description: Every Saturday during the summer, the Tahoe Rim Trail Association will feature a hike that highlights an amazing vista, a beautiful alpine lake or a meadow blanketed in beautiful wildflowers. All of the hikes begin at 8am. Please register for all TRTA guided public guided hikes by visiting this link.

Ward Creek to Tahoe City: Join us for a hike that will meet at the Tahoe City South trailhead, and then shuttle to Ward Creek Blvd, where the TRT crosses the road. Join us at 8am on Saturday, July 30th or try this hike on your own (Just know that you will have to figure out a car shuttle to Ward Creek Blvd)! If you would like to join the TRTA, please register here.

This hike begins to by climbing the Tahoe Rim Trail, north towards Tahoe City though a forest of white fir and Jeffrey Pine. The trail will turn left onto a dirt road a quarter of a mile down the trail and will climb a steep hill. At 0.6 mile, the trail will flatten out at another junction. Here, the TRT will turn to the left and take you to the end of the road. The trail will venture into Page Meadows, which is five interconnected meadows that are popular in every season for hikers, mountain bikers and cross country skiers.

The TRT is actually built a 1/2’ above the meadow to help to preserve this important ecosystem. As you are traveling through Page Meadows you will meet another trail that is traveling east. This trail will lead you into three other meadows, as well as take you to Tahoe City. However, if you stay on the TRT as we are going to do on this hike, you will also end up in Tahoe City.

In Page Meadows, be sure to enjoy the lovely views of Twin Peaks, the groves of Quaking Aspens, and the brilliant wildflowers. Be aware that Page Meadows is quite saturated at the moment and the mosquitoes are out in full force. Please help to preserve the meadow system by staying on the trail, which means you may have to travel through some muddy spots.

The TRT will eventually turn to the right and will begin to head downhill for about 1.3 miles with some gentle uphill. Then the TRT will bend to the left and begin a 0.6 mile descent down a little canyon. You will travel nearly 1 mile downhill where you will arrive at a trail junction on the Truckee River. Turn to the right and follow the trail 0.1 mile east to a gravel road where the trail tread ends. Splash some cold water on your face from the Truckee River and then head to the parking lot on a dirt road, upstream.

Hike right through the National Forest 64 Acres parking lot and enjoy a cold beer at The Bridgetender; a great reward after any hike!

Distance / Expected Duration: 5 miles

Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate Difficult Strenuous Herculean

Starting Elevation: 7,400’ down to 6300’ at the Truckee River

Fitness Level and/or Special Skills Necessary: This is a great hike for beginner hikers. There is a bit of a steep climb at the beginning, but then it levels out and is all downhill. This hike is appropriate for those who can hike 3 – 5 miles easily. This is also a good hike for out of town guests, because you actually lose elevation traveling downhill to Tahoe City.

Water on the Trail: Carry water on this hike

Trailhead/s: Tahoe City South Trailhead: On W side of Hwy 89, just 0.25 mi S of Hwy 28, in Truckee River Access and Recreation lot. In the summer, there are usually port-a-potty’s.

From Incline Village / East Shore of Lake Tahoe / Carson City
Take 50 till hwy. 28.
Then take 28 into Tahoe City.
At the traffic light go left onto Hwy. 89 South.
Make a right 0.2 miles after traffic light into the parking area. There is a sign that says Truckee River Access. It is before you get to Granlibakken Road.

From West / South Shore
Take Hwy. 50 to Hwy. 89
Then take Hwy. 89 North toward Tahoe City.
After Granlibakken Road you will make a left into a parking area. There is a sign that says Truckee River Access. If you get to the Bridgetender and the Tahoe City stop light you have gone too far.

From Truckee / Reno / Auburn / Sacramento / San Francisco
Take Hwy 80 (east or west) to exit 185- toward Squaw Valley / Tahoe City / Lake Tahoe
Take HWY 89 South to Tahoe City.
Just before the Tahoe City traffic light make a right onto Hwy. 89 South.
Make a right 0.2 miles after traffic light into the parking area. There is a sign that says Truckee River Access. It is before you get to Granlibakken Road.

Hike smart this summer!
• Make sure you carry sufficient water and snacks.
• Dress appropriately for the weather. Bring layers of clothing. The weather changes quickly in the Sierra.
• Wear proper footwear. Take care of your feet to prevent blisters and other foot issues.
• Tell someone where you are going, and when you are expected back.
• Carry a cell phone that you can use to call for help, if you get into trouble.
• Pack a simple first-aid kit in your pack.
• Stay within the limits of your ability and let common sense be your guide before and during your adventure.
• Leave no Trace this summer! Follow the LNT 7 principles. Care for our wild places and trails!

Trail Etiquette
• Cyclists yield to hikers and hikers and cyclists yield to equestrians
• Always travel at a safe, controlled speed and alert other trail users as you approach from behind.
• Never approach or harass wildlife or domestic animals on the trail. Please do not feet wild animals. It negative impacts their health and survival.
• Stay on the trail. It’s there for a reason!
• Please do not pick wildflowers. Let everyone enjoy them. Some wildflowers are protected by law, and you could get fined for picking th

Pyramid Peak, Lake Aloha and Horsetail Falls Day Hike

By Nicole Dolney

Are you stuck in that season between skiing and mountain biking because of snow fields impassable by bike, but too small to ski? Well, you can make good use of that free time and bag a peak or two.

The record snow year has filled mountain lakes and left waterfalls, normally trickling in late July, gushing. Two great hikes, which we connected in a single day, involve the less traveled Rocky Canyon Trail to Pyramid Peak followed by Lake Aloha and exiting via the Pyramid Creek trail to Horsetail Falls.

Depending on the route, the hike can be anywhere from 7-10 miles with approximately 4500-5000 feet of elevation gain. Along the way you’ll pass through fields of wildflowers and encounter too many waterfalls to count. From atop Pyramid Peak, which stands just below 10,000 feet, you’ll have exceptional views of the Sierra and surrounding landscape.

This is a strenuous hike and involves 3rd class, and sometimes even 4th class climbing depending on the route you choose. I recommend that you not do this hike unless you’re confident in your 3rd/4th class climbing and route finding skills. This is definitely more of an adventure hike when compared, for example, to the main trail up Mt. Tallac (a close neighbor to Pyramid Peak).

The initial push up to Pyramid Peak via Rocky Canyon is steep, so in the tradition of someone who is not a fan of the heat, we started relatively early, about 9 AM. We parked in a pullout on the right side of the road (south side) 1.0 mile east of Strawberry Lodge, by the first electric road sign.  A short walk east along Highway 50 (maybe 50 feet or so) leads to a trail along the north side of the road. The trailhead can be difficult to find but the remainder of the trail, at least the portions not covered by snow, were relatively easy to navigate. Generally speaking the trail follows the Rocky Canyon drainage to the rim and then heads straight towards Pyramid Peak. One of the best aspects of this trail is the variety in terrain. Along the way we passed through a dense pine forest, a small grove of aspen slumped over from the season’s heavy snow, and the typical rock gardens that make up much of the higher elevations in the Sierra. While steep for the first mile or so, the trail also offers great views of Lover’s Leap - one of Tahoe’s premier rock climbing crags.

Near the rim, before leaving the drainage, we encountered snow and the first real route finding challenges. The dense trees that offered the welcoming shade also prevented the sun from the penetrating the forest floor to melt the snow. These drifts, sometimes deep and tall, made traveling cumbersome. So, rather than struggling to follow the trail somewhere underneath all that snow, we opted for a less traveled option on a slope with a south west aspect and more exposure. Breaks in the tree cover were just large enough, and often enough to keep us on track for the summit.

Eventually we reached the foot of a boulder field that climbed to the summit of Pyramid Peak. On the way up, the winds picked up and the temperature dropped, so we hunkered down in one of the many rock shelters to have lunch and take a quick break.

From here back to the car via Lake Aloha and Horsetail Falls was the most challenging part of the day. Every mile of descending felt slower (or just as slow) as every mile of ascending. An exception was the 100 foot butt-glissade down a moderate snow slope that helped make up time for the slower pace higher up. Hiking down Pyramid Peak to Lake Aloha and eventually back down to Highway 50 via Horsetail Falls trail requires an ability to navigate boulder and scree fields and to route find through 2nd and 3rd class terrain (maybe even 4th class should you find yourself off-route). Last Saturday this terrain was made even more challenging with the added element of wet rocks from runoff. Our consolation prize though, was waterfalls as far as the eye could see and beautiful meandering creeks.

It’s a challenging hike with some technical skills required, but you won’t encounter many people until you reach the bottom section of the trail up to Horsetail Falls. And the views, waterfalls, lakes and seclusion make this a memorable excursion.

A map of trails to Pyramid Peak can be found at the Tahoe Backcountry website.

Information on trails to Horsetail Falls can be found here and here.

Trail Conditions

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