Spring Into Wildflower Hiking and Biking In Truckee-Tahoe!
Spring brings all the beautiful colors of mountain wildflowers – deep blue of lupine and sunshine filled fields of yellow mule ears. The butterflies, hummingbirds and bees are on their way back to our mountain community! One of our favorite family days is seeing the wildflowers and welcoming a new season as the mountains awake from winter. This is a special time here in Truckee-Tahoe, with essentially no crowds and a relaxing peacefulness.
In this issue of E-News, we’ll share our favorite areas to hike, whether it’s a short stroll or more adventurous day! The weather is still changing, so bring a pack, water, snacks and some layers of clothing with you. If you want to speed your world up, E-biking is the new “it” here in Truckee-Tahoe to cover some ground on wheels and enjoy a different perspective of mountain sports! And, after you burn some calories, relax at some of our favorite lunch venues with indoor-outdoor dining!
Read on for some really cool adventures, great food, and drink! Then, if you’re thinking about purchasing real estate here in Truckee-Tahoe, feel free to reach out to Alison.
Our Elder Group team of professionals is here to help anytime!
Here’s Where the Wildflowers Grow!
Timing is everything with our mountain wildflowers. The “bloom” is from April to June and of course, snow dependent. Look for the red “snow flower”, one of the first to bloom and very unique, known for good luck and energy! The sunflower family brings several types of “mule ears”. These fuzzy, usually pointed leaves are alive with bright yellow faces similar to a sunflower. Clustered and dense as they establish, it’s a field of happiness! Wild violets are purple, yellow and white, you’ll see them on many trails with my favorite, Lupine, cascading the mountainside in beautiful violet. For those that like lily’s, Truckee-Tahoe has many species in the wild including the Alpine Lily, Mariposa Lily and Camas Lily. Here’s four great hikes bringing streams, big views and canyon views!
Please do not pick the wildflowers!
~ Mount Judah Loop – Donner Summit
Located up Old 40 on a part of the Pacific Coast Trail (look for the trailhead), this is a moderate hike with the most snow remaining due to altitude, so think about timing for this hike and wear sturdy and waterproof footwear! You’ll enjoy stunning views on this five-mile adventure, beginning in the morning.
Directions: Turn left at the Summit Haus and follow old Donner Summit Road.
GPS coordinates: 39° 18′ 57.8304” N and 120° 16′ 18.6636” W
~ Donner Summit Canyon Trail
This lovely hike is more strenuous than the Mount Judah Loop and is ~ 6 miles. There is a beautiful, spring run off creek along the trail and a variety of wildflowers and grasses span the landscape.
Directions: To access the trailhead, take Old Highway 40 toward the Summit. The trailhead is on your left, about 1/3 of a mile from the base of Old Highway 40 at South Shore Drive.
GPS coordinates: 39° 19.356′ N, 120° 17.857′ W.
~ Sagehen Creek Trail – Lower Elevation
This is a delightful experience and easy hike renowned for its wildflowers which bloom earlier due to lower elevation. This is Alison’s favorite hike, the trail follows a gurgling creek and opens into a large meadow filled with wildflowers. The trail finishes at Stampede Reservoir and more flowers here!
Directions: To access this trailhead, take Highway 89 N to Sierraville, turn left about 7 miles out after the bridge.
GPS coordinates: 39.4341 N, 120.2047 W
~Donner Lake Rim Trail – Tahoe Donner – Higher Elevation
Located at the top of Tahoe Donner is the well-known Glacier Way Trail. This well managed trail is great to walk with your furry friend and provides an easy hike to view Donner Lake from above. You’ll see panoramic views of the Summit, train sheds and beautiful Donner Lake and fireworks on July 4th! Watch for wildlife and bring plenty of water and sunscreen as this is an exposed trail – one of my favorites!
Directions: Glacier View to the adjacent parking area.
E-Bikes – The New Travel Trend Around Truckee-Tahoe!
First it was e-cars and now E-Bikes are the way to go! I was never a believer – peddling like crazy on the paved path from Squaw Valley to Tahoe City to get my cardio workout – as my friends chatted away on their E-bikes. Once I moved to the “E” side, a whole new experience emerged! What fun zipping along the paved Class One bike paths throughout Truckee and touring the Legacy Trail along the beautiful Truckee River to Glenshire. There are 22 miles of approved E-bike trails in the town of Truckee for class one, two and three E-Bikes. If you enjoy off road riding, the Tahoe National Forest allows all classes of E-bikes wherever motorized vehicles are allowed.
A few non-motorized trails in the Truckee Ranger District of the Tahoe National Forest are open to class one E-bikes. Check out Big Chief Trail, Commemorative Overland Emigrant Trail, Donkeytown Trail and Sawtooth Trail. Wear your helmet, take a communication device, water and snacks and enjoy your own mountain adventure!
E-bike “sharing” is also coming to Truckee! Focused on sustainability and coordinated transportation, the Town will be introducing a Summer, 2022 program with 10 E-biking docking stations around Town and 50 or more E-bikes! Looking for a fun day with your family and exploring Truckee from a different vantage? Here are the E-Bike rental companies ‘round Town that rent and/sell E-bikes:
Bike Truckee – 10015 Palisades Dr | 530.386.5700
BlueZone Sports – 11391 Deerfield Dr | 530.550.8003
CyclePaths – 10825 Pioneer Trail | 530.582.1890
Dirt Gypsy Adventures – 11410 Deerfield Dr | 844.Go.Gypsy
Paco’s – 12047 Donner Pass Rd | 530.587.5561
Start Haus – 11410 Deerfield Dr | 530.582.5781
Stealth Tahoe – 11253 Brockway Rd | 530.536.5089
Tahoe Sports Hub – 10095 W. River St | 530.582.4510
The Backcountry – 11400 Donner Pass Rd | 530.582.0909
Exercise and Then LUNCH at Truckee’s Best Spots!
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After your ride, it’s time to refuel and enjoy some great dining venues that are casual, fun and deliver “Old Town” Truckee’s historic flavor! Here’s our favorites, post peddling dining establishments: Always a good meal, Bar of America brings a great variety of food to please everyone, consistent quality and a lively atmosphere in historic Truckee, also child and pet friendly. 1882 Bar and Grill – This historic restaurant and hotel is elevated above the Truckee River and is a sunny, afternoon venue with a great view to dine outside in a casual, mountain setting. Alibi Ale Works – located across form the post office, there’s plenty of room to lock up your E-bike and relax in a casual environment, have an award-winning bear and bite to eat in the outdoor beer garden! With our new Spring snow and Palisades Tahoe staying open another couple of weeks, there’s lots to enjoy in the coming weeks here in our beautiful, pristine community!  About Alison Elder  |
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