Runs

Not for the faint of heart, but if you are training for a mountain ultra, hill repeats on Diamond Peak are a great way to go. This climb is also part of the Tahoe Rim Trail (TRT) 100 and TRT 50-mile course.

Best for:

• TRT Endurance Run Training
• Long, steep hill repeats
• High & dry elevation training

But watch out for:

• See above!

Getting there:

Diamond Peak Ski Resort is located at 1210 Ski Way in Incline Village, NV. Click here for driving directions can be found on their website. For summer parking, continue to the upper-most parking lot, which is about 1.25 miles up Ski Way from Country Club Dr. There are NO FACILITIES available in the summer, so plan accordingly.

Route:

The route is fairly straightforward: climb 1750′ on the crushed granite road/ski run for 2 miles to the top, then turn around. Enjoy spectacular Lake Tahoe views as you descend. Repeat?

Specifics: Stay on the primary sandy road all the way to the top. In the beginning, when you see the “Red Fox” chair lift, continue straight (don’t turn right). Then follow the road to the right just past the “Crystal Express” chair. Later, there is brown and yellow lift ~ follow the road as it hairpins around this one. The road gets steeper from here. Keep going to the top.

Training Tips: Keep moving up the hill at any pace and don’t stop until you get to the top unless you must to stay safe. Know that there are several false summits and that the steepest section is the final 1/2 mile.  Give yourself more time than you think you will need and refill water from your car.

A newer ribbon of single track takes you to the summit of Hawk’s Peak in Tahoe Donner in just 1.85 miles. Go out-and-back for a 3.7-mile trail run, or explore further on the Tahoe Donner trail network or find your way to the Donner Lake Rim Trail via Drifter Hut.

Best for:

• Sierra views
• Peak-bagging
• Family hiking and geo-caching

But watch out for:

• Full sun exposure
• Wind up top
• No trailhead facilities

Getting there:

From Northwoods Blvd. in Truckee, take Fjord Rd. Turn left on Alder Creek Rd. Take the first left onto Skislope Way. Go for just 1 mile to the trail head on the right. Street parking only (do not block the fire road exit).

Route:

The trail climbs 750 feet in 1.85 miles, mostly on single track. Click here to download a Tahoe Donner trail map. Please note that the trailhead number markers are taken down for winter safe-keeping, but if you take a trail map you can still find your way.

Start at Trailhead 4 / Marker 39 on Skislope Way
Marker 38: Take first left toward trail marker 19
Marker 38A (Hawk’s Ascent): Turn right onto single track
Marker 17B: Cross dirt road and continue up single track toward marker 17A
Marker 17A: Go left on dirt road toward marker 36A
Marker 36A (Hawk’s Peak Trailhead): Turn right up single track
Continue past first wooden bench to trail’s end atop a rocky outcrop
Arrive at Hawk’s Peak, Elevation 7729’

Route Variations:

Endless connections to run in Tahoe Donner, on the Donner Lake Rim Trail, and, if you are running really far, even the Pacific Crest Trail and Emigrant Trail.

Once you see Lake Tahoe and the Sierras from atop Tinker Knob at 8900+ feet, your view of the landscape will be permanently altered. Tinker Knob is prominently visible from Truckee ~ your eye follows Anderson Peak south across the ridge to the distinctive Knob. I frequently find my gaze drawn to the sky as I wonder when I will next have the opportunity to run that ridge and renew my spirit.

This 15-mile (total) out-and-back route takes you on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) from Sugar Bowl to the top of Tinker Knob, for total elevation gain of about 2600 feet. I like this alternative to the popular Sugar Bowl to Squaw Valley route as it does not require a car shuttle and still grants you the best views from the ridge and the summit of Tinker Knob.

 

Best for:

• Panoramic views of the Sierras, including Castle Peak, Devil’s Peak, Martis Peak, Desolation Wilderness, Truckee, and more.
• Easy access from town
• Some technical running at a higher elevation

But watch out for:

• Heavy summer traffic
• Rocky, technical sections, especially in the first mile up & back down
• Snow pack, wind and rapidly changing weather

Getting there

From the west end of Donner Lake, go 3 miles west up old US 40 (Donner Pass Road). Turn left into the driveway opposite the “Historic Donner Summit” sign. Proceed through the parking lot and down the road less than 1/4 mile to the PCT trailhead.

Route Description

Click here for an interactive map and GPS data for the Tinker Knob (Sugar Bowl / PCT) route.

Head south on the PCT from the trailhead. Stay on the well-established Pacific Crest Trail for 7.25 miles, always keeping right on the PCT single track. You will pass trails for the Judah Loop, Roller Pass, and later the Benson Hut on your left.

After 7.25 miles, find a short spur on your right that climbs less than a .25 mile to the top of Tinker Knob. Have a snack and take some pictures, then return the way you came.

Route Variations

Add the Judah Loop trail to either your climb or descent.

Route Variations

Add the Judah Loop trail to either your climb or descent.

 

The Donner Lake Rim Trail (DLRT) is a project of the Truckee Donner Land Trust to build a multi-use dirt trail encircling the peaks around Donner Lake. This 12.35-mile lollypop route takes you past Summit Lake to the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and back to the DLRT via the Summit Lake trail.

Best for:

• Fun, generally runnable trail
• Summit Lake views and cool granite features
• Quick access from Truckee

But watch out for:

• Moderately heavy use during peak season
• Road noise from I-80

Getting there

From downtown Truckee, go 5.5 miles west on Interstate 80 to Donner Lake exit 180. Go down the ramp (but not under the freeway) and take the only right turn to the trailhead. There is dirt parking as well as paved options along the road; no restrooms.

Route

Click here for an interactive map and GPS data for the DLRT / Summit Lake / PCT Lollypop route.

Click here for a Donner Lake Rim Trail (DLRT) map.

General Directions: Take the DLRT west about 6 miles from the trailhead to where the PCT crosses the dirt road at an unmarked intersection. Turn left on the PCT and follow it to the Summit Lake Trail. Take the Summit Lake Trail back to the DLRT; turn right and go back the way you came.

Turn-by-turn Directions: (mileage approximated according to my Garmin watch):

• From trailhead, take Wendin Way Access Trail to DLRT
• 1.1 miles: Turn left onto DLRT; follow sign toward Summit lake
• 1.25 miles: Turn left on dirt road to stay on the DLRT
• 1.4 miles: Turn right on single track to stay on the DLRT
• 2.5 miles: Turn right on dirt road to stay on DLRT
• 3.2 miles: Turn right up dirt road to stay on DLRT
• 3.75 miles: Trail passes Summit Lake
• 4.15 miles: Go straight at this big single track intersection to stay on the DLRT. You will return to this intersection via the Summit Lake Trail
• 5.75 miles: Turn left on dirt road to stay on DLRT
• 5.9 miles: The PCT sneaks across the dirt road completely unmarked. Take a left on the PCT to head east.
• 6.25 miles: Keep left to stay on the PCT. (The right spur goes to Castlr Peak trailhead.
• 7 miles: West Lake and Interstate 80 are visible (and audible) to the right. Shortly thereafter, the trail passes directly behind the I-80 Donner Summit Rest Area (water and restrooms).
• 7.25 miles: Leave the PCT here and follow the sign for Summit Lake. (The PCT passed under I80 via two pedestrian tunnels if you take the trail to the right.)
• 8.1 miles: Return to the big single track intersection and take the DLRT to the right toward Summit Lake.
• 9.8 miles: Go left up a steep dirt road to stay on the DLRT; continue left onto the singletrack
• 11.25 miles: Turn right onto the Wendin Way Access trail to return to the trailhead.
• 12.35 miles: Finish

Route Variation

Turn around at Summit Lake for a 7.5-mile out-and-back.

Take in panoramic mountain views as you run on dirt trails around the Martis Creek Wildlife Area just south of the Truckee-Tahoe Airport. A 3.75-mile-loop meanders through and around this gorgeous meadow, with numerous bridges crossing Martis Creek.

Best for:

• Mostly flat dirt trail
• Beautiful meadow and panoramic mountain views

But watch out for:

• Full sun in the summer
• Popular area – time your run accordingly

Getting there:

Take Highway 267 / Brockway Rd. south-southeast from Truckee. The trailhead parking is 1 mile south of the traffic signal at Truckee-Tahoe Airport Rd. You will first notice Martis Dam Rd. on the left (east) side of Highway 267. The dirt trailhead is on the right (west) side of Highway 267, at the brown sign for “Martis Creek Wildlife Area.” Drive down the dirt/gravel road through the open gate to the dirt parking area.

At the trailhead you will find a map kiosk, picnic table, and porta-potty. Additional maps are posted at almost every trail intersection.

Route:

Click here for an interactive map and GPS data for the Martis Creek Trail Loop.

To run the loop in a clockwise direction, start out on the wider dirt trail that goes south beyond the kiosk, roughly parallel to Highway 267. The trail is generally easy to follow as it takes you over a number of bridges and raised boardwalks. Go right at every intersection and you will find yourself back at the trailhead 3.75 miles later. Keep a close eye for the final single track just before mile 3 – this trail takes you along Martis Creek back to the trailhead. If you happen to miss it, you will simply return back to the trailhead on the dirt road.

Alternately, you can run the loop counter-clockwise, starting from the singletrack the heads straight out, perpendicular to Highway 267. Keep left at all intersections.

Enjoy this quick 2.3 mile out-and-back trail run along Donner Lake when you just have a short time to get out. The new “Lakeshore Interpretive Trail” is about 1.15 miles of crushed granite trail along the east shore of Donner Lake in Donner Memorial Park.

Best for:

• Quick run on a busy day
• Super-close to Truckee
• Completely flat and off-road

But watch out for:

• Congestion during summer vacation periods

Getting there:

From Truckee, drive west on Donner Pass Rd. Continue past the Truckee schools and cross over Interstate 80. Go straight through the four-way stop light. Continue about 1/3 mile on Donner Pass Rd., past the official entrance to Donner Memorial State Park. Find head-in parking in the dirt on the left. Choose a parking spot here and walk west if necessary to an opening in the split rail fence (see photo above).

Route:

Click here for an interactive map and GPS data for the Donner Lake Memorial Park Interpretive Trail.

From the trailhead, run on the wide dirt trail and stay left at both trail intersections until you reach the dam (short bridge). Cross the dam and find the crushed granite trail immediately to the right. Stay on this path (staying right) to its end, then turn around and come back the same way. There are a number of restrooms along the way and at the end of the trail.

If you have more time and energy to explore, you can run on road or trail through the Donner Memorial Campground – click here for a map of the Lakeshore Interpretive Trail. You can also do the 7-mile road run around Donner Lake – click here for route info to run around Donner Lake.

The Nature Loop in Tahoe Donner (Truckee) is less than 2 miles of trail through the heart of the neighborhood, connecting the Northwoods Clubhouse and the Trout Creek Recreation Center. The trail provides a connection between the two private Tahoe Donner amenities, the Northwoods Clubhouse (water slide pool, playground and tennis center) and the Trout Creek Recreation Center (pool, spa, gym, playground, golf driving range).

 

The nature loop location was the site of a saw mill in the 1800s, and is now home to many busy beavers on Trout Creek. Its single track trail surface varies from perfectly smooth to rocky, muddy and root-laden in places, so it is better suited for a nature hike with the family, as the name implies. However, it is still a very useful running trail for accessing and connecting road and trail running routes in Tahoe Donner.

Best for:

• Connecting trails in the Tahoe Donner trail system
• Avoiding Northwoods Blvd.
• Observing beaver dam activity and Fall colors

But watch out for:

• Can be wet and muddy late into summer
• Moderate pedestrian and dog traffic
• Many roots and rocks

Getting there:

Ideally you will access this trail from the front door of your home or lodging in Tahoe Donner. Refer to this Tahoe Donner street map and the Tahoe Donner trail map. Access to the trail is available via the Northwoods Clubhouse, the Trout Creek Recreation Center, and also a trailhead located on Baden Rd. The Northwoods Clubhouse is located at the three-way intersection where Northwoods Blvd. intersects itself. Parking is just north of the intersection. Parking and trail access is also available at Trout Creek Recreation Center, 1 mile further north on Northwoods Blvd. Restrooms and facilities are available to Tahoe Donner members (homeowners) and guests at each location.

Leaving on foot from your home or lodging in Tahoe Donner, you can also access the trail from the Baden Rd. trailhead, which is located just off the top end of Zermatt Dr.

Route:

Click here for an interactive map and GPS data for the Tahoe Donner Nature Loop (starting at Baden Rd).

The Nature Loop is really two trails on either side of Trout Creek. The slightly shorter north trail (.7 miles) follows Northwoods Blvd., while the south trail (.9 miles) passes mostly behind Zermatt Dr. The south trail is generally more pleasant, as it suffers less road noise and you enjoy nice views of the creek and beaver dams. The south side is outfitted with some elevated boardwalks to keep your feet clear of the beaver’s flooded homes, whereas the north side sometimes has muddy spots well into summer. The disadvantage to the south side is that it is a bit steeper and the snow is slower to melt out in the spring.

 

The Baden Rd. trailhead drops steeply down onto the south side of the loop. When you reach the main trail, go left to access Trout Creek Recreation center or go right for Northwoods Clubhouse via the elevated boardwalk and beaver dams.

Route Variations:

Use the nature loop to connect to other trails in the Tahoe Donner trail system (click here for a Tahoe Donner trail map) and also to avoid running on Northwoods Blvd. (click here for a Tahoe Donner street map).

The Commemorative Emigrant Trail is my go-to trail run in Truckee during Spring, Fall, and even into the Winter months. It features miles of rolling hills that are generally all runnable. There are just a couple of longer, slightly steeper sections that some will welcome as a nice excuse to power-hike.

The Emigrant Trail is a very popular mountain bike route so schedule your run carefully. Avoid weekends in the summer and get out early if you plan to go mid-week during the peak summer months.

Best for:

• Smooth & very runnable trail over a long distance
• Early and late season trail access
• Easy to follow single-track trail
• Convenient, easy access from Truckee

But watch out for:

• Heavy mountain bike traffic
• Hot & dusty during mid-summer days

Getting there

Donner Camp Picnic Area: Take Highway 89 North from Truckee about 2.5 miles. This USFS picnic area has ample paved parking and vault toilets (no water). It is not a campground, but rather a historical point of interest where part of the Donner Party camped and ultimately perished.

Hobart Mills Trailhead: Continue 1.5 miles north of the Donner Camp Picnic Area on Highway 89. Immediately after the bridge over Prosser Creek there is a trailhead with dirt parking on the right. (Overflow parking is also available on the right side of the street.) There are no services at this trailhead.

Stampede Reservoir: Less convenient unless you happen to be camping in the area, but there is a small trailhead located near Stampede Reservoir. The trailhead is off Dog Valley Road south of the reservoir, just past the end of the pavement. Leaving Logger Campground on foot out the “West Entrance,” turn left on the road until it intersects Dog Valley Road, then turn right and find the trailhead on your right.

Routes

The trail is easy to locate and follow. It does cross some dirt roads, but there are virtually no trail intersections until the very end near Stampede Reservoir. This solitary trail intersection comes less than a half mile from the end, where you can decide to go to the Stampede Trailhead (take the trail to the right) or toward the boat dock and actually see the reservoir (take the trail to the left). Total out-and-back distance is about the same either way.

Click on the links below to view interactive GPS maps for each route.

Donner Camp Picnic Area to Hobart Mills Trailhead Out-and-Back: A little better than 5 miles total out-and-back.

Donner Camp Picnic Area to Hobart Mills Trailhead Out-and-Back plus loop: Add the short interpretive loop (twice) for a total of 6 miles.

Hobart Mills Trailhead to Hobart Mills Road: This 9-mile out-and-back route turns around when you reach the paved road crossing.

Hobart Mills Trailhead to Stampede: This 17.25-mile out-and-back route is considered by many to be the “primary” section of the Emigrant Trail.

Stampede Logger Campground to Hobart Mills Trailhead Out-and-Back: A nice 20-miler from the campground, includes a couple of miles on the road to-and-from the trailhead.

Donner Camp Picnic Area into Tahoe Donner: The only significant climbing on the Emigrant Trail can be found on the section west of Highway 89 up Alder Creek. This 9-mile out-and-back route shows one way to access the Tahoe Donner trail system from the Emigrant Trail.

We rarely take family hikes on the Emigrant Trail due to the heavy bicycle traffic. However, a dry Winter gave us the opportunity to hike together on Christmas Day.

[Update 4/5/2013] Click here for an elevation profile and further description of the Lake Tahoe Ironman run course.

The paved bike path from Squaw Valley Park to Tahoe City provides 5 picturesque miles of flat trail alongside the Truckee River. The partially shaded trail is well-separated from Highway 89, and crosses over and under the highway or river several times. There is a dirt running shoulder for about half of the distance. This popular path connects with a number of other paths to provide plenty of miles for out-and-back marathon training runs, including a 20-mile route with spectacular Lake Tahoe views (see Route Variations below).

Numerous family recreational opportunities exist at either end of the path. Squaw Valley Park has fun play structures, a large synthetic turf soccer field and pickle ball courts. On the Tahoe City side, Commons Beach offers access to Lake Tahoe, a playground for the kids, and is home to the Foothills Famers’ Market on Thursday mornings.

Best for:

• Flat running on pavement
• Fall marathon training
• Family outings

But watch out for:

• Heavy multi-user traffic in the summer
• Not plowed for winter use

Getting there:

From Truckee (start at Squaw Valley Park): Drive south on Highway 89 from Truckee for 10 miles. Turn right at the light onto Squaw Valley Rd. Immediately turn left into the ample parking for Squaw Valley Park. Restrooms and drinking water are available when the park is open. The park is closed for the winter. Access the path by crossing Highway 89 at the traffic light, then head south toward Tahoe City.

From Tahoe City (start in Tahoe City): Park at the “64-Acres Park,” just south of the Tahoe City “Y” (intersection of Highways 89 & 28) on the west side of Highway 28. Take the pedestrian bridge across the Truckee River and proceed on the paved bike path toward Squaw Valley.

Route:

Click here for an interactive map and GPS data for the Squaw Valley to Tahoe City: Out-and-Back route. Run out-and-back for a 10-mile run on reasonably flat pavement. Although the trail dips and rises for the various bridges and underpasses, it is arguably the flattest pavement available for running in North Lake Tahoe. If you start at the north (Squaw Valley Park) side, then you will be running up-river first. The incline is minimal, but enough that you will enjoy the subtle descent on the way back.

This is a multi-use trail designed for both transportation and recreation. Please follow the rules, which are very specific and a bit unusual: RUN ON THE LEFT and YIELD TO WHEELS. This system does take a little getting accustomed to, but it does work if everyone does their best.

The trail is very popular and busy during the summer months. Get out early! Be especially careful when you reach Alpine Meadows Rd. and River Ranch, where river rafters are moving about and the trail crosses the River Ranch parking lot. (Consider returning here for lunch and people-watching on the deck.) This area is about 1.3 south of Squaw Valley Rd or 3.5 miles north of Tahoe City.

Porta-potties dot the trail when it is officially open. The trail “closes” for the winter months and is not plowed or maintained. The shady sections are especially prone to black ice in the late Fall. The Tahoe City PUD does a nice job of clearing and sweeping the pavement in the spring once it is re-opened.

Route Variations

West Shore 20-miler: Cross the pedestrian bridge in Tahoe City and continue south on the path along the west shore of Lake Tahoe. The path will cross Highway 28 a couple of times (be careful!), then follow the bike route downhill on a quiet residential road. After you pass the private beach for Tahoe Park, there is a public restroom open seasonally. The bike path resumes as you pass Sunnyside Resort. (Consider returning here for a delicious dinner on the deck overlooking Lake Tahoe at sunset!)

Enjoy spectacular Lake Tahoe views, then turn around at Tahoe Pines to complete your 20-mile out-and-back run. The path ends just a bit south of Tahoe Pines.

Ward Creek: Need to add a climb to your lakeside run? Take Pineland Dr west up to Ward Creek Blvd. In the past I have included this climb as part of my Lake Tahoe Marathon training. Click here for an interactive map and GPS data for an 18-miler including the west shore bike path and Ward Creek Blvd.

Squaw Valley USA: From Squaw Valley Park, continue uphill on the paved path about 2 miles to Squaw Valley USA.

Tahoe City: Connect to the new Tahoe City Lakeside Trail.