Placer County, California

109' tall Bassi Falls is located in the Crystal Basin area of the El Dorado National Forest. These gorgeous falls at peak Springtime flow crash over enormous boulders and the water sheets over huge, flat slabs of granite. It is located off a rural, pot-holed dirt road (high clearance vehicles re...

The Ellis Peak Trail is close to North Lake Tahoe. The trail features scenic wildflowers in the spring and summer. Dogs are allowed on the trail but must be kept on leash.  Directions from Truckee: Take Highway 80 south and drive to Tahoe City - continue south on Highway 89 from Tahoe City for 4....

Desolation Wilderness is just west of Lake Tahoe, a part of Eldorado National Forest. It's a very popular backpacking destination as the PCT and Tahoe Rim Trail both run through the area. There are what seems to be endless amounts of mountain lakes, creeks, and rivers that run through this area w...

The Five Lakes Trail is located in the Granite Chief Wilderness in between Alpine Meadows and Squaw Valley ski resorts and is easily accessible at the intersection of Alpine Meadows and Deer Park roads. The 5-mile moderate trail ascends approximately 900-1000 ft. along granite canyons and pine f...

This trip is best done in two days with an approach day and then a descent day. Get started at the base of the Sherwood Chair on the backside of the Alpine ski area. Head up, outside of the ski area boundary toward the high ridge.Once on the ridge, you follow it south for a few miles until reachi...

This hike starts at Alpine Meadows Base Camp and finishes on Alpine Meadows Road. The end point is less than a half mile from the base, and an easy walk up a slight hill. Park at base camp and head on the trail to the far right of all of the lifts. Proceed up the trail for half a mile (this is th...

The trail is easy to follow for the first half mile until you get to some large slabs of granite. As you continue up the trail look for stacked rocks, these will give you a an easy route as you continue up the mountain. The trail then starts to switch back eventually leading to a small bridge. Af...

After driving out to Kidd Lakes and parking at the trailhead, you take off through some easy forest hiking past Cascade Lakes and Long Lake. Pay attention to the cairns marking the trail as you traverse across a large granite section with Devils Peak to your West. The trail is easy to follow and ...

This trail has lots of elevation over a short distance, be warned! The Shirley Canyon Cascades Trail is close to Olympic Valley in the North Lake Tahoe region. Dogs are allowed on this trail if kept on leash. 

The story goes that twenty or so years ago, long before the advent of the Royal Gorge Cross-Country Ski Area, some local Truckee boys decided to put a couple rope swings up on Long Lake near Soda Springs, CA, and they remain there to this day.Long Lake sits amongst a cluster of both man-made and ...

The Thunder Mountain Trail is the perfect hike to explore the Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows. Squaw may be famed for its mountain ski runs in the winter, but when the snow melts in the summer, beautiful alpine meadows line the mountain and the ski runs turn into hiking trails! The Thunder Mountain T...

Starting at an outcrop off Highway 89 in Tahoe Pines, hikers make their way up the trail through a gradually sloping forest. Climbing rocks and logs, it is strenuous at times but only takes about 15-20 minutes to accomplish. Once at the top, the elevation is 6,286 feet and consists of an absolute...

The Twin Lakes trail starts winding through a pine forest, with a couple bridge crossings over crystal clear trout-filled streams.  The marsh-like water is very slow moving, and even though it is indeed beautiful, it is also a prime location for pesky mosquitoes in the summertime.  Be sure to loa...

To get to the Twin Lakes Trailhead from the Bay Area/Sacramento, head east on HWY 50 past Kyburz for 4 miles until you see the left-hand turnoff for Wrights Road. If coming westbound on HWY 50, this will be a right-hand turn 5 miles past Strawberry. Follow this paved road for 8 miles (watch for p...

Starting from the Wright's Lake parking area, walk past the service gate to find the loop trail. Follow the loop trail to the signed trail for Twin, Grouse, Island, and Hemlock Lakes heading toward the right. You will begin an approximate 150 foot ascend before coming to a saddle. Another 150 foo...

Day 1:This trip is a great early season trip while you are waiting for the snow to melt in the high country or it could be a good first backpacking trip because of its proximity to the trailhead and the fact that it's a relatively easy hike.  Also, you get to camp by a beautiful lake with a drama...