The Donner Pass Railroad Tunnel Hike was one of the reasons for our trip to the area. My boyfriend…read morehad always wanted to check out the Donner Petroglyphs, and I stumbled across the rail tunnels when looking for things to do while in the area. We parked at the Donner Ski Summit - if you are looking to check out this hike, that is the best place to park and access the start of the tunnels. I truly enjoyed this hike, but was ill prepared. I was fully committed once we were in the tunnels & I should have went back to the car and swapped my "barefoot" style shoes for my hiking boots. The large chunk gravel path killed my feet with the thin soles of the shoes I wore. We hiked through about 5-6 tunnels before heading back. We did a total of 6 miles in and back. There were alot of beautiful street art within the tunnels, we found 19 cave ghosts along the trail as well as some other reoccurring variations of different items over the course of the trail. I would like to eventually take the trail past the last tunnel and to the next set of tunnels some day. This is a trail we would do again next time we are in the area. Though the weather was nice, we both wore hooded sweatshirts as the are in the tunnels got quite chilly. If you plan on checking these trails out, take well charged flashlights or head lights with extra batteries. The tunnels can be PITCH Black when you are in the heart of them. Overall this was a really cool thing to see and I would love to do it again with the correct shoes!

We had out of town family in town last week and we made it back to the Donner (Railroad) Tunnels. I…read morelove the tunnels! It's SO beautiful. And as it was a railroad, it's level and easy, and as it's in the tunnels, you're mostly protected from the weather. Bring good trail walking shoes and a flashlight. (And park across from the Donner Ski Ranch.)

Backround On Donner Lake: Named after the Donner Party, a group of pioneers who became trapped in…read morethe Sierra Nevada Mountains during the winter of 1846-47. The lake was originally known as Truckee Lake, but was renamed in their memory. The Donner Party's ill-fated journey and subsequent struggle for survival has made the area a place of both historical significance and tragedy Background On Visit: Reading articles about things to do near Lake Tahoe, we decided to visit this place. Location/Parking: Located along Donner Pass Rd.. Free parking on the west end of the lake. Ambiance: The views of the pine trees and water are very nice when you drive along Donner Pass Rd.. Probably be more enjoyable as a passenger. Perhaps next time. Entertainment: 1) Boating and Water Sports: Rent boats, kayaks, paddleboards, or hydrobikes at Donner Lake Watersports. 2) Fishing: Donner Lake is known for kokanee salmon and various trout species. 3) Swimming: Enjoy the lifeguard-staffed West End Beach Park or swim at the public piers. 4) Hiking Trails Donner Lake For Thought: Choose Donner Lake for a more serene and accessible experience with a unique history and warmer water. :)

Right off of I-80 in Truckee this is one of the coolest…read moreplaces of the Sierra. Donner Lake is a true mountain getaway for activities from boating & fishing in the summer to snowshoeing in winter. Although it's a fraction in size to its bigger sibling Lake Tahoe, it offers a more relaxed alternative and just as many options of things to do on and off the water. Don't miss Donner State Park while visiting the lake. It is a giant part of local history.

This review covers two different PCT routes-- The Castle Peak Trail and the Mount Judah Loop trail…read more CASTLE PEAK TRAIL: This moderately strenuous hike will take you to the top of Castle Peak, elevation 9,100 feet. Hiking poles are recommended, as there are sections of loose gravel along the trail, very slippery. Coming from the Sacramento area, you take the Boreal exit and turn left. MOUNT JUDAH LOOP: From Sacramento, get off I-80 at Soda Springs. Trailhead is just past the access road to Sugar Bowl, on Donner Pass Road (the old US Highway 40 and a Scenic Bypass Route). This lightweight hiking trail is a popular route for local cross-country runners. Get to the trailhead by 10:00 am on Saturdays, as the parking lot will get full quickly. We rated this trail (about 5 miles) as relatively easy-to-moderate in difficulty, but recommend poles if you don't like slippery rocks etc.

This is a review for the trail to Summit Lake - part of the Pacific Crest Trail…read more I like hiking but I'm a lightweight so I don't like long, difficult hikes. This was perfect. It was about 4.5 miles out and back, barely any uphill, lots of shade, and a beautiful lake at the end. I went on September 1st and the weather was perfect. I highly recommend this hike for families and anyone who wants a nice hike without a lot of sweating involved. Oh, and bring your dogs! We saw lots of pups on our way and we brought along 4 of our own too. It's fun to watch the dogs swim in the lake.

Got an early weekday start this morning on the trail. Started from Truckee Regional Park (free…read moreparking) and headed east to Glenshire parking. 4.53 miles with 213' vertical gain at approximately 5700' elevation. A popular ride along the Truckee river. The City has a lot of pride in this trail. Fully paved and well maintained. This trail has a lot of bike riders, families and dog walkers. Just note: lots of dogs off leash. Bike or walk the trail and then meander into downtown nearby for lunch or dinner. A perfect plan to enjoy a beautiful day in the Truckee area.

"Great place for a run, bike ride, or stroll."…read more This is one of the more well-known trails in Truckee. I call it a trail, but it's really paved. There is a nice little parking area at the trailhead off Glenshire. You can take the trail all the way to downtown Truckee. It's a beautiful vista, and obviously popular with the locals. Not long after leaving the trailhead, I spotted remnants of a dam. I'm told there used to be an ice block business located right there. The dam created a pond, used to cut ice blocks from. The day that I visited there were tons of bikers and walkers. Most of the bikers had e-bikes. Some go fast, so be aware. If you enjoy the hobby of geocaching, there are tons of geocaches along this trail. Keep in mind there aren't any facilities or water along this trail. At least, none that I saw.

The most beautiful beach in Lake Tahoe hands down. I genuinely don't think I've seen a more…read morebeautiful view anywhere else in the world. The water is so clear and the rocks in the water are just so gorgeous. The only downside is that it is a nude beach and there are some creepy people. If you can look past that, it is the most beautiful beach EVER!!!

Secret Cove is a really beautiful, crystal-clear beach on Lake Tahoe's East Shore, with stunning…read moregranite boulders. Parking: Along Highway 28. It fills up super early, so plan accordingly. Clothing: Optional. If you plan to wear swimwear, I'd recommend putting it on at the parking lot since there isn't much privacy or covered area at the cove for changing. How to get there: A scenic 0.75-mile hike. Water: Warm-ish (for Tahoe standards) and a bright turquoise color. There are porta-potty restrooms available at the parking lot at the start of the trail. When I went, I only saw a couple of older men fully nude; most people were wearing swimwear. The hike is a bit steep at the beginning, so sturdy shoes or water shoes are a good idea. A lot of people bring water sports gear, coolers, and picnic setups. There was even a small hippie-style drum circle near the cove, which added to the laid-back vibe. Please remember to pack out all your trash and help keep this beautiful spot clean.

We came here to hike on the way to Lake Tahoe on Labor Day weekend. Surprisingly there's some…read morestreet parking outside the parking gate. Came with kids and they loved it's it's super easy paved road for just 1/2 mile Don't forget to get your junior badge Also no food indoor but can eat your own food outside at the benches

This is a beautiful park and we had a great location (127) with water at our site and bathrooms…read morejust yards away. But, Hwy 80 is probably less than 200 yards away and there's a train track above the camp. I remember lying in our tent thinking, "what is that noise? It's just constant." No Doppler effect of approaching traffic, just a solid din. Sorry to say we decided to visit the town (beautiful) and enjoy a shop or two (loved Cornerstone Bakery; stop in and grab a few things, as their pastries are superb) and decided to break camp early and enjoy a quiet night sleep. I don't mind clanging pots to keep the bears away, but incessant freeway traffic noise was just miserable. We'll return, but visit another site (there's lots to see here).

4.5 stars. Parking was kinda sketchy along the busy highway. Crossing the highway was also…read moresketchy. No restrooms. No fee. Saw several friendly dogs on the trail. Uphill 90-95% of the hike. Beautiful views of Lake Tahoe at the top. Interesting rock formations at the top as well.

Wow! Tahoe Trim Trail to Spur Trail aka Picnic Rock Viewpoint is about a three miles round trip,…read moremoderate and friendly hike. You will get the best 360 view of Lake Tahoe with the least amount of work gaining the elevation for the spectacular view. The trailhead is up the hill from NorthStar, away from Truckee and near Kings Beach. You will enjoy the amazing vistas, high alpine lakes, meadows, and peaks. Pack your yummy lunch and water. You will have the best view to enjoy your lunch. This is a must do short hike in the Lake Tahoe area. Enjoy!

A must hike at least once a year ! Sure you will be climbing up/over some steep rocks but it's a…read moreworth it for the gorgerous view and you can take the tram down or hike back down if you at up to it We decide to take the tram that operated until September (you will have to check the time frame ) and did the 5 miles!

We did this hike starting at Olympic Village and it is challenging at times. Also due to the…read morelateness in the summer some of the waterfalls we passed were but a trickle. On a Saturday the trail wasn't crowded but wasn't empty either. Free parking at base camp.

We found this trail on another app. It is a relatively new trail. It was created within the last 4…read moreyears. There is plenty of parking and they have bathrooms. The bathroom was not the cleanest I have ever seen, but it is an option if you have to go. The trails are quite nice. They are easy to follow and very good for beginners. We say a lot of people with dogs and small kids. It is not paved, but tennis shoes are an option if you don't have boots. They have picnic tables towards the back of the trail. The tables offer a nice look of the valley and town below.

The Sawtooth Trail has a little bit of everything for just about everyone. The opening 2 miles…read moremake for a fun family hike, with a couple of interesting stopping points. The next 3 miles will take you through a winding up-and-down adventure through pines and manzanita, with some technical rocky sections. After the long switchback you will be back to the road (006), and ready for the most beautiful sections of trail. Oh, did I mention that I use this trail for running? There are many who mountain bike this area, but I think that it is best explored on foot. I challanging series of short climbs and twisting turns will keep you on your toes, and the scenery will keep you charged. One of the great things about this trail is that it can be broken down into sections. Do the short loop (back on road 006), at about 3 miles, the mid loop (back on road 006 at your second opportunity) at about 8 miles, or the whole thing at about 10! so much fun. If you have done the whole loop and are looking for more - add on the "powerline" trail up the the top of the mountain. Great stuff!

Love the park has lots of parking We saw people with snow…read moreshoes Cross country skiing and sleds lots of them. Great paved trail and dog park too. Tree top was closed due to being winter but it did look like a lot of fun. Will do it when we come back in the summer.

Beautiful park. We went for the dog park and it was will worth it. Roomy and aesthetic. The trees…read moreand bushes added a nice natural feel especially in the mixed size "outback" area. It was nice that the large, small, and mixed areas all connected too so you could move from spot to spot without leashing your dog.