After a short shuttle ride from the airport in Reno, our hiking tour starts in Truckee, California near Donner Lake. We will spend three nights at the The Cedar House in Martis Valley minutes from historic downtown Truckee. Our first day of hiking will take us to the summit of Mt. Lola. Formed from an ancient volcano, this summit offers possibly the finest views of the northern Sierra region, where the Sierra's meet the Cascade Range, and south to the Crystal Range and Desolation Wilderness along the southwest edge of Lake Tahoe. Day two finds us far above the shores of Donner Lake, where the Transcontinental Railroad was painstakingly blasted and eventually completed to connect the eastern and western United States. It is also where the Donner Party, a group of California-bound settlers, met their fate in the winter of 1847.

We then travel upstream along the Truckee River taking a detour to Squaw Valley, the home of the 1960 winter Olympics. We will be staying at PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn. Our hike will take us along part of the Pacific Crest Trail, which links Canada and Mexico, summiting Granite Chief over 3000' above the valley floor.

Again following the Truckee River upstream, we eventually reach its headwaters at beautiful Lake Tahoe. Measuring 22 miles long from north to south and 12 miles wide, 191-square mile Lake Tahoe is the country's largest mountain lake. Our last night will be spent on the west shore at Sunnyside Resort. Our hike here will take us six miles along the west shore of Lake Tahoe from D.L. Bliss State Park on the Rubicon Trail to Emerald Bay and a visit to Vikingsholm Castle, a Scandinavian inspired summer home completed in 1929 and now part of the Emerald Bay State Park.

Our days will start with breakfast at our hotel or a local restaurant, giving us the energy needed for the day ahead. Then we'll be out on the trail, exploring the wonderful landscapes of the surrounding Sierras. Each morning, you'll be handed a lunch to carry, and at a mid-point along the way we'll choose a beautiful spot to stop and enjoy our picnic. We get a lot of compliments on our imaginative lunches - making them something to look forward to as well!

We should finish our hike around 4 pm, giving you time to wash up, relax at the hotel, or perhaps do a bit of sightseeing on your own. Later, we'll enjoy delicious dinners together at our hotel or another local restaurant. There are many great restaurants to choose from, and our dinners will all feature fabulous food.

Day 1 Arrive in Reno and transfer by a short 45 minute shuttle to our meeting point at The Cedar House, nestled in the Martis Valley, just minutes from historic downtown Truckee. You might have a chance to check out the town or enjoy the wonderful outdoor spa before settling in for our welcome dinner at a favorite local restaurant. (Cedar House)
Day 2 Our first hike finds us on a nearly forgotten trail north of Lake Tahoe. Mt. Lola (el. 9148') is the high point in Nevada County, and the northernmost point from which the waters of Lake Tahoe can be seen. It offers possibly the finest views of the northern Sierra region where the range melds into the Cascade Range (Mt. Lassen can be seen from the summit on a clear day). The Pacific Crest Trail passes beneath the peak to the west, and to the north the Little Truckee River has carved out a wide canyon running east-west, and the beautiful Perazzo Meadows lie at the base of the peak through which the river meanders. (Cedar House)
Day 3 Our first day of hiking takes us along the newly completed Donner Lake Rim Trail. Many options await us as the route wraps around the east end of the sapphire expanse of Donner Lake, rises up Schallenberger Ridge to the granite escarpments of Mount Stephens, then weaves through steep hills and dales to the north of Donner Summit. (Cedar House)
Day 4 Today we travel to Squaw Valley, home of the 1960 Winter Olympics. We might choose to ride the cable car 2000 vertical feet to High Camp (el. 8200') or choose to ride it back at the end of the day. From High Camp we climb towards Emmigrant Peak and then to the summit of Granite Chief. The views are quite rewarding with Desolation peaks to the south and Castle Peak near Donner to the north. From here we decend to Shirley Lake and either hike back to High Camp or follow Squaw Creek to the valley floor. (Plumpjack Inn)
Day 5 The West Shore of Lake Tahoe is our destination today hiking over six relatively level miles along the Rubicon Trail to Emerald Bay. We will see Fannette Island, the only island in Lake Tahoe, and tour Vikingsholm Castle. We also have an option to hike above Emerald Bay, past Eagle Lake Falls to Eagle Lake. (Sunnyside Resort)
Day 6 After breakfast, we'll say our good-byes and leave for our post-trip destinations. A shuttle van can take you back to Reno, or continue to Yosemite valley on our Lake Tahoe + Yosemite Hiking hiking tour.

sign up now