I'm going to a long weekend family reunion in Lake Tahoe the first weekend in June. I've never been out there, and wanted to fly in a couple of days early on Wednesday to do a little traveling before we all meet on Friday (and stay through the following Tuesday, so I'll have plenty of time to do things in the immediate Tahoe area).

I will travelling with my wife and 16 month old son in a rental van.

Any suggestions for a couple of overnights within a couple of hours drive of Reno/Tahoe? Somewhere with a couple of really nice half-day hikes would be neat. Is Yosemite too far/too big for such a short stint (keeping in mind the kid)?

Would any suggestions change or better ideas come from flying into Sacramento?

Which direction from North Tahoe would make the most sense this time of year (e.g. early June), North or South?

From South Lake Tahoe it's 185 miles (4 hours) to Yosemite Valley via the Tioga Pass, which may or may not be open by early June. It would be a 5 hour drive if you had to come in the west entrance.

Arnold, Calfornia might be a good place to go. It's 95 miles and about 2 hours from S. Lake Tahoe over Ebbitts Pass (Hwy4) which should be open by then. Just a few miles north of Arnold is Calaveras Big Trees State Park. The one mile hike amount the giant sequioas is really nice. We took a stroller on the hike last year for our grandson. There are other hikes in the park. Lake Alpine has hiking and it's a beautiful little mountain lake.

You didn't mention if you needed lodging or camping. Big Trees has a nice campground but I'd make reservations. Arnold & Bear Valley have lodgings.

http://www.utahtea.lithium.com/march...ig_trees_s.htm

If you go, you might consider going into Angels Camp, taking a little of Hwy 49 (Gold Rush country) and coming back to S. Lake Tahoe either over Carson Pass (Hwy 88) or Hwy 50. Both will be about 3 hours drive but will give you some other views of the mountains.

Utahtea

Thanks for the advice. That sounds like a neat area, and it seems Yosemite would be too far for what little time we have.

Coming from Lake Tahoe on Hwy 50 on down to Carson City and Hwy 395 - from that intersection to Mammoth Lakes is 136 miles, 2 1/2 hour drive, as a straight shot.

Heading south on 395, is a very scenic drive. Just south of Bridgeport is the old ghost town of Bodie. The park is off the highway 13 miles, 10 are paved, 3 miles of dirt (to give that "old" effect).

A few miles farther south is a beautiful vista overlooking Mono Lake. Down the hill, is Mono Lake with an information center, and you can view the tufas.

Mono Lake is at the north end of Lee Vining. Possibly the road will be open, and you can drive 10 miles or so and see Lee Vining Canyon and some spectacular scenery without going all the way into Yosemite. Five miles of the road is always open at the eastern end.

From Lee Vining dirve to June Lake and get a great view just a mile off the road at Oh! Ridge.

Another 15 minutes down 395 is the town of Mammoth Lakes. A visitor's center is located with helpful information and answers to any questions regarding hikes, or accommodations. If you decided to spend the night, there is a wide range, and no reservations are needed. From there you can drive up to Lake Mary and Lake George, or to the ski resort at Mammoth Mountain Inn for more great views. There may be some short hikes - depending on the snow melt.