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Truckee

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Camping & Lodging

Clair Tappaan Lodge is a historic, rustic mountain lodge nestled in the woods near Lake Tahoe, California. With accommodations for up to 145 guests, our lodge is the perfect home base for year-round recreation and relaxation in the Sierra Nevada. The friendly, casual atmosphere, proximity to endless outdoor recreation opportunities and affordable nightly rates make Clair Tappaan the perfect rustic getaway to the Truckee-Tahoe area.

Situated at an elevation of 7,000 feet on historic Donner Summit, the Lodge is a charming spot from which to explore the riches of the Sierra Nevada. The area receives the highest average snowfall of the entire Sierra Nevada range, making the Lodge a favorite amongst cross-country skiers and snowshoers.

A network of nearby trails offers miles of hiking and provides access to fishing streams, remote meadows and peaks, and crystal clear lakes. The well-known Pacific Crest Trail is only a mile away and can be reached right out the back door of the lodge. The Donner Summit area is great for both road and mountain biking and is also widely known as a rock climbers’ mecca.

For those who are really adventurous, the Lodge is a great starting point for a multi-day trek to one of the four backcountry warming huts in the region. If you want to explore the mountains in the winter but don’t want to dig a snow cave or carry a tent, our backcountry huts may be perfect for you.

For more information, see the website.

Recommended Routes in Truckee - 3

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Favorite From Donner Peak
Intermediate

Mt. Judah Loop

5.6 mi 9.1 km 1,228' Up 374.37 m Up 1,227' Down 374.11 m Down

Truckee, CA
Favorite Donner Lake with Pacific Crest views.
Intermediate

Donner State Park Tour

3.2 mi 5.2 km 249' Up 75.84 m Up 246' Down 74.87 m Down

Truckee, CA
Favorite View of HWY 89
Intermediate/Difficult

Great Trail Epic Course 2017

22.8 mi 36.7 km 2,981' Up 908.64 m Up 2,262' Down 689.47 m Down

Truckee, CA

Truckee Hiking

  • 153 Miles 245 Kilometers of Trail
  • 3 Recommended Routes
  • 22 Easy Trails Easy Trails
  • 24 Intermediate Trails Intermediate Trails
  • 0 Difficult Trails Difficult Trails
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Areas Within Truckee

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Trails in Truckee - 43

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39.1 mi 62.9 km #1PCT: Highway 80 to Highway 49 (near Sierra City)
Intermediate
Truckee, CA
Intermediate
Truckee, CA
2.3 mi 3.7 km #2Mt. Judah Loop Trail
Intermediate
Truckee, CA
Intermediate
Truckee, CA
1.3 mi 2.1 km #3Summit Lake Trail
Intermediate
Truckee, CA
Intermediate
Truckee, CA
1.0 mi 1.7 km #4Zig Zag Trail
Easy/Intermediate
Truckee, CA
Easy/Intermediate
Truckee, CA
1.1 mi 1.7 km #5Lakeside Interpretive Trail
Easy
Truckee, CA
Easy
Truckee, CA
2.1 mi 3.4 km #6Donner Summit Canyon Trail
Intermediate
Truckee, CA
Intermediate
Truckee, CA
0.7 mi 1.1 km #7Beaver Pond Loop
Easy
Truckee, CA
Easy
Truckee, CA
0.4 mi 0.6 km #8Later Lincoln Highway
Easy
Truckee, CA
Easy
Truckee, CA
2.0 mi 3.3 km #9Donner Summit Lakes Trail
Easy/Intermediate
Truckee, CA
Easy/Intermediate
Truckee, CA
6.1 mi 9.8 km #10Schallenberger Ridge Trail
Intermediate/Difficult
Truckee, CA
Intermediate/Difficult
Truckee, CA

Photos of Truckee - 50

Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Add Your Photos

Views from Castle Peak.
Aug 12, 2016 near Truckee, CA
Donner Lake with Pacific Crest views.
Jul 2, 2017 near Truckee, CA
View of Donner Lake from the top of Glacier Way trail
May 8, 2018 near Truckee, CA
Picnic table at the top, with a panoramic view!
May 8, 2018 near Truckee, CA
The trail continues onto the Donner Lake Rim trail (or just turn around like we did)
May 8, 2018 near Truckee, CA
Feb 2020 - plenty of snow
Feb 16, 2020 near Truckee, CA
Donner Lake views
Feb 16, 2020 near Truckee, CA
West end of Donner Lake from Glacier Way Trail @ Johnson Canyon Overlook. Really nice hike with an early payoff-GREAT views of Donner Summit, Castle Peak & surrounding mountains. Share the trail w/lots of mountain bikers!
Sep 2, 2021 near Truckee, CA