Here is a subjective list of the best introductory overnight backpacking trips in Tahoe but, be forewarned, all of these involve significant elevation gain even if the mileage is relatively low. If you’re a flat-lander the altitude may acutely accentuate the perceived effort. These are based on more than 15 years of experience backpacking the Granite Chief Wilderness, Desolation Wilderness and other Tahoe environs, with and without kids.
1. Five Lakes: Although it has the usual steep ascent common to all Tahoe hikes, the reward is great. There are two serene alpine lakes ringed with fir trees and big boulders to camp beside (along with three other ponds and muddy depressions that equal five “lakes”). It’s one of the busiest day-hiker trails in Tahoe, sometimes numbering 200 or so, but in late afternoon when the hikers depart you’ll feel like you’re in the wilderness it is (the Granite Chief Wilderness). You don’t even have to get an early start and you can still enjoy a night out in the woods.
a. The trailhead is on Alpine Meadows Road about a mile before Alpine Meadows Ski Area
b. Out and back (return to your car the way you came)
c. Distance: 2 miles one way, 4 miles round trip. It takes an adult about an hour to hike there without a pack so count on about 2 hours, with lots of rest stops, with a child and packs.
d. Regulations: California campfire permit required for camp stoves.
e. No camping allowed within 600 feet of the lakes, but you can find spots that meet that criterion.
2. Whiskey Creek: You still have to get up and over the Five Lakes ascent described previously, but the section from Five Lakes to the Whiskey Creek campsite is stunning as it opens up from the forest to a dramatic canyon. A large rock wall forms the backdrop for the gurgling Five Lakes Creek that you can hear from the trail but can’t always see. Wildflowers can be seen throughout much of the summer near small streams and springs. The trail levels off from Five Lakes, then descends to join the Pacific Crest Trail for a short time before branching left to reach the Whiskey Creek Campsite at a signed junction. Whiskey Creek was an old Basque shepherd’s camp and still has two historic buildings standing. Camp in a meadow or under tall trees near the creek. It’s at a cross-roads so it can be reached from Squaw Valley from the north or Barker Pass/Diamond Crossing to the south along the Pacific Crest Trail. A continuation of the trail also heads west to the gorgeous and unpeopled Picayune Valley if you have more time.
a. Start at Five Lakes Trail trailhead on Alpine Meadows Road about a mile before Alpine Meadows Ski Area
b. Out and back (return to your car the way you came), or continue to Squaw Valley or Barker Pass if you’ve left a second car there and/or if you’re camping a second night.
c. Distance: 4 miles one way (8 miles RT). If you can get an early start a nice itinerary is to stop for a leisurely lunch at Five Lakes and then hike for a couple of hours in the afternoon to reach Whiskey Creek—it’s much easier going after Five Lakes.
d. Regulations: California campfire permit required for camp stoves.
e. No camping allowed within 600 feet of the historic structures, but you can find plenty of spots in this area. There is also a large group campsite that can accommodate stock animals, which usually are out in the fall.
3. Loch Leven Lakes: You might not think this destination is as nice as it is with the trailhead just feet from the roar of Interstate 80, but by the end of the two mile ascent the freeway noise disappears as you clear the summit. There are a series of three lakes, each with camping. The first, Lower Loch Leven Lake, is pleasant, but is the least attractive of the three. It has the advantage of being the least visited. We camped here, had the small lake to ourselves and thoroughly enjoyed climbing the terraced rock ledges behind the lake to get superb sunset views. The second lake, Middle Loch Leven Lake, a quarter mile down the trail, has a few low islands and is quite pretty. The lake stretches out in front of a big rock wall and there are a few exposed campsites. The third lake, High Loch Leven Lake, one mile from the first lake, is great for swimming and has a large number of campsites arrayed along one shore but can be very crowded. It has a large boulder-island in the middle of the lake that some intrepid swimmers like to warm themselves on. We elected to remain at the first lake for two nights and took a day hike to the other two lakes.
a. The trailhead is near Rainbow Lodge on Interstate 80. Take the Rainbow exit to Rainbow Lodge (50080 Hampshire Rock Rd, Soda Springs, CA 95724, 530-426-3661)
b. Out and back (return to your car the way you came).
c. Distance: 2.5 miles to Lower Loch Leven Lake (5 miles RT), 1.5 more miles (8 miles RT) to High Loch Leven Lake.
d. Regulations: California campfire permit required for camp stoves.
4. Peter Grubb Hut: This hike involves the standard uphill Tahoe trek, this time to Castle Pass. Drop over the other side and the trail opens up to the serene Round Valley, a semicircular ridge that cups a gentle valley perched atop another ridge so the downward views are as good as the upslope views. You can stay in the very rustic, dim Sierra Club cabin, built more for winter use, but it’s not necessary. There are campsites in the vicinity and you can still take advantage of the double-decker outhouse. It’s a beautiful spot along the Pacific Crest Trail to hang out and there are lots of scrambling opportunities but no lake. There is a large stream just beyond the hut where you can get water.
a. The trailhead is near the Boreal/Castle Peak exit off Interstate 80. From Truckee take a right at the exit (away from Boreal Mountain Resort) and park in the small area at the trailhead.
b. Out and back (return to your car the way you came).
c. Distance: 4 miles one way (8 miles RT).
d. Regulations: California campfire permit required for camp stoves.
e. If you want to stay in the Peter Grubb Hut, reservations and information are available through the Sierra Club and at Clair Tappan Lodge (800-679-6775 http://www.sierraclub.org/outings/lodges/huts/grubb.aspx
5. White Rock Lake: This hike has the least elevation gain but the trailhead is the hardest to find, being nothing more than a Pacific Crest Trail road crossing on a remote Forest Service Road. It’s a pleasant hike with good views of the Sierra peaks but traverses a web of logging roads that are open to off-road vehicles. Therefore it has slightly less of a wilderness feel but is still worthwhile for the varied terrain and the large lake at the end, which is always a draw for kids. It’s also one of the warmest lakes in summer though it has a squishy mud bottom.
a.The trailhead is on Forest Service Road 86 between Webber Lake and Meadow Lake. Look for PCT marker on tree at GPS waypoint: Lat 39°25.502’0″ N. Long 120°26.911’0″W. To reach the trailhead, take I-80 to Highway 89 heading north. Travel 17 miles on Highway 89. Turn left (west) at the Independence Lake/Webber Lake sign (marked Forest Service [FS] Road 07/Jackson Meadows Road on map, not marked on highway). Stay on the main track. Keep going past the turnoff to Independence Lake and continue on FS 07. You may spot Webber Lake on the left. Turn left at the sign to Meadow Lake (FS 86), which is an unpaved logging road. The high clearance of an SUV is helpful. When the road starts to ascend more steeply look carefully in the trees for the PCT marker, a small, light blue, triangular marker. Just after the trailhead there is a large clearing on the left where you can park your car. GPS waypoint: Lat 39°25.502’0″. Long 120°26.911’0″. Elevation: 7,537 feet.
b. Out and back (return to your car the way you came).
c. Distance: 6 miles one way (12 miles RT)
d. Regulations: California campfire permit required for camp stoves.
These backpacking routes, ranging from two to six miles one way (four to twelve miles round trip) are good trips for adults and kids who are strong hikers. They are good weekend trips over moderate terrain. Five Lakes and Loch Leven Lakes are the best for younger backpackers and adults who don’t have much backpacking experience.
For trip reports and detailed descriptions of these hikes and more, go to Inga’s Adventures.
Thanks for great info. Enjoyed reading.