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Tahoe National Forest

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Gems in Tahoe National Forest - 4

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gem Favorite Sundown at Penner Lake, Tahoe National Forest.

Penner Lake

(8) Downiev…, CA
gem Favorite Lake Tahoe from the summit of Freel Peak.

Freel Peak Summit

(1) South L…, CA
gem Favorite Lower Glen Alpine Falls early morning, just off the road before the trailhead. Popular tourist spot.

Lower Glen Alpine Falls

(3) South L…, CA
gem Favorite Ropi Lake Sunset

Ropi Lake

(4) South L…, CA

Recommended Routes in Tahoe National Forest - 27

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RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite Lake Tahoe from Mt. Tallac
Difficult

Mount Tallac

9.9 mi 16.0 km • 3,266' Up 995.6 m Up • 3,266' Down 995.58 m Down

South L…, CA
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite Pyramid Peak with Lake Aloha in the foreground.
Intermediate

Echo Lakes to Lake Aloha

12.8 mi 20.7 km • 1,434' Up 437.09 m Up • 1,436' Down 437.71 m Down

South L…, CA
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite The final scramble up Pyramid Peak is a doozy.
Difficult

Pyramid Peak - Rocky Canyon Trail

6.5 mi 10.5 km • 3,915' Up 1193.24 m Up • 3,913' Down 1192.8 m Down

South L…, CA
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite Stream crossings during extremely high water level period. Waterfall flowed down from Peak 8417 and flooded forest.
Intermediate/Difficult

Horsetail Falls

3.3 mi 5.4 km • 682' Up 207.94 m Up • 682' Down 207.8 m Down

South L…, CA
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
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
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite Love Mt. Ralston, 90% dirt trail, lots of shade, well marked and maintained route. Lots of back for the buck on this hike a surprisingly spectacular view. You won't be disappointed.
Difficult

Ralston Peak

5.8 mi 9.3 km • 2,617' Up 797.59 m Up • 2,616' Down 797.42 m Down

South L…, CA
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite New sign installed to alert hikers to the challenge ahead.
Difficult

Shirley Canyon Trail

5.8 mi 9.4 km • 1,899' Up 578.74 m Up • 1,898' Down 578.66 m Down

Sunnysi…, CA
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite The summit of Rubicon Peak offers phenomenal views out over Lake Tahoe!
Difficult

Rubicon Peak

3.6 mi 5.9 km • 2,087' Up 636.21 m Up • 2,085' Down 635.65 m Down

Tahoma, CA
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite Views from Castle Peak.
Difficult

Castle Peak Out-and-Back

5.9 mi 9.5 km • 1,768' Up 538.81 m Up • 1,768' Down 538.89 m Down

Truckee, CA

Tahoe National Forest Hiking

  • 941 Miles 1,515 Kilometers of Trail
  • 27 Recommended Routes
  • 4 Gems Gems
  • 49 Easy Trails Easy Trails
  • 113 Intermediate Trails Intermediate Trails
  • 20 Difficult Trails Difficult Trails
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Areas Within Tahoe National Forest

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Trails in Tahoe National Forest - 155

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2.5 mi 4.0 km #1Eagle Falls Trail
Intermediate/Difficult
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Intermediate/Difficult
South Lake Tahoe, CA 20 
65.2 mi 104.9 km #2PCT: Echo Lake to Highway 80 (Donner Summit)
Intermediate/Difficult
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Intermediate/Difficult
South Lake Tahoe, CA 5 
7.8 mi 12.5 km #3DLRT (Donner Lake Rim Trail): Castle Valley to Donner Ridge
Intermediate
Truckee, CA
Intermediate
Truckee, CA 7 
4.9 mi 7.9 km #4Star Lake Trail
Intermediate/Difficult
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Intermediate/Difficult
South Lake Tahoe, CA 2 
2.4 mi 3.9 km #5Glacier Lake Trail
Intermediate
Downieville, CA
Intermediate
Downieville, CA 3 
0.7 mi 1.1 km #6Cascade Falls Trail
Intermediate
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Intermediate
South Lake Tahoe, CA 15 
3.2 mi 5.2 km #7Twin Lakes Trail #16E12
Intermediate/Difficult
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Intermediate/Difficult
South Lake Tahoe, CA 7 
6.5 mi 10.4 km #8Floating Island / Mount Tallac Trail (17E33)
Difficult
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Difficult
South Lake Tahoe, CA 1 
5.6 mi 9.0 km #9Western States Trail
Intermediate/Difficult
Sunnyside-Tahoe City, CA
Intermediate/Difficult
Sunnyside-Tahoe City, CA 1 
0.2 mi 0.3 km #10Lower Eagle Falls Trail
Intermediate
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Intermediate
South Lake Tahoe, CA 4 

Photos of Tahoe National Forest - 452

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Lake Tahoe from Mt. Tallac
Oct 28, 2015 near South L…, CA
Top of Mount Tallac. One of my all-time favorites. Spectacular view I think it's the best in the Tahoe basin
Aug 8, 2019 near South L…, CA
The final scramble up Pyramid Peak is a doozy.
Jan 8, 2017 near South L…, CA
On trail to Showers Lake with views of Big Meadow Creek area and South Lake Tahoe!
Feb 4, 2016 near South L…, CA
Pyramid Peak with Lake Aloha in the foreground.
Sep 10, 2017 near South L…, CA
Stream crossings during extremely high water level period. Waterfall flowed down from Peak 8417 and flooded forest.
Apr 8, 2018 near South L…, CA
Love Mt. Ralston, 90% dirt trail, lots of shade, well marked and maintained route. Lots of back for the buck on this hike a surprisingly spectacular view. You won't be disappointed.
Aug 18, 2019 near South L…, CA
Spectacular view and you might see two or three others.
Aug 8, 2019 near South L…, CA