4deckers

Hi, we have a week in July for a family reunion. Most of us are in our 50's and moderately active. We are renting a home in Soda Springs (off Hwy 80, just west of Truckee) I am looking for things to do ~ mostly outdoors. Good trails, lakes, experiences we shouldn't miss. I thought about white water rafting - wondering if there are any that are more of a float trip to see wildlife. We will probably make a few day trips to Reno and Tahoe. Any input you can give will be appreciated!

NeoPatrick

Tubing on the river!
Circle Lake Tahoe, stopping at the various sites.
Visit the Donner State Memorial Park and Museum
A totally different idea -- The Shakespeare Festival on the Lake at night.

Ronda

Check out Northstar Ski area. In the summer I believe there are a number of activities.

http://www.northstarattahoe.com/info..._open.item.asp

Looks like they have biking and hiking.

Several of the ski areas have gondolas you can ride like Squaw Valley.

http://m.squaw.com/things-to-do

I really enjoy just walking around the little old town of Truckee and looking in all the cute little stores.

I have only rafted from Tahoe City. There is a place to rent tubes and rafts right at the head of the river (close to dam), raft down the river, and take the bus back to Tahoe City. If there isn't much water flowing out of the lake, it is just a float trip - no whitewater. Didn't see much wildlife unless you count the kids with ice chests. ;-)

There is a great little drive between Soda Springs and Donner Lake past Sugar Bowl ski area. Great bridge and lookout over Donner Lake. Looking at the map it is called Donner Pass Road. I believe it might be the old highway. You can take it to Truckee and stop at the Donner Memorial (Donner Party).

There's a nice little burger place in Old Truckee called Burger Me with the BEST sweet potato fries.

I would skip Reno and go to South Shore.

http://burgermetruckee.com/

4deckers

Great ideas! Keep them coming

MichelleY

You could head over to Donner Lake or Lake Tahoe for a beach day or boating. We have also checked out Emerald Bay, toured the Ehrman Mansion, and the Thunderbird Lodge. A raft trip on the Truckee River is nice and easy. Truckee, last year, had a street fair/ market on Thursday nights. Gambling at the Hyatt at Incline Village.

elnap29

We have always enjoyed biking. There are great bicycle trails around Lake Tahoe, separate from the roadway, and there is a fun trail along highway 89 next to the river. It goes from the turn-off to Squaw Valley all the way into Tahoe City, where you can join the lakeside trail that goes through Sunnyside, Homewood and out to Sugar Pine Point. There are numerous places to have a picnic, and it's fun to watch the rafters on the river as well as the boaters on the lake. Bikes can be rented in Tahoe City - and probably in Truckee as well.

We have a favorite hike that is off the beaten path on the west side of Lake Tahoe; if you are interested, I can give details. The beginning is a little strenuous but the rest is fine and the terrain and views are wonderful.

Carla_Bonetti

Nevada City and Grass Valley are just "down the hill" off HWY 20 - two beautifully preserved Gold Rush towns. We have award winning wineries with in-town tasting rooms, live music and live theater, art galleries and the spectacular South Yuba River! A great day-trip opportunity!

sf7307

The hikes from DL Bliss State Park (including the one that starts at the aforesaid Ehrman mansion and goes to a point around Emerald Bay)are fantastic. When you're done, have a great burger at the Bridgetender (sit out back) in Tahoe City (at the bridge of course).

4deckers

You guys are great! Has anyone told you that today?

The place we are staying has bikes and canoes and kayaks. we will definitely check out some of the bike trails (easy ones

hazel1

I love the Shakespeare Festival on the Lake, and we go frequently, but be aware that it is at Sand Harbor (incidentally, one of the most beautiful beaches on Lake Tahoe and also one of the few where it's shallow enough to have water temps that are actually swimmable), on the very north end of the lake (NV side), so the drive home late at night back to Soda Springs would take about an hour, over mountainy dark roads.

NeoPatrick

hazel I think it was over a half hour just to get out of the parking lot! What a crowd.

toncasmo

elnap29-could you tell us about the hike? or are you trying to keep it "quiet" and off the major message board

elnap29

Toncasmo, of course, I can tell you about the hike. I had to look up the name of the trailhead.
From Tahoe City, drive south on Hwy 89, watch for the Kaspian Bicycle Campground sign and turn right on Barker Pass Road. Follow the road a couple miles and it will make a hard left (If you go straight you will end up on a 4WD road). Continue up the mountain on Barker Pass Road until you reach the summit (Barker Pass). I think the pavement ends here and you will see a dirt parking area on the left, and you may see a car or two parked along the roadway. Park here. The trailhead begins on the left side of the road and the trail is steep with some switchbacks ---but don't worry, it gets easier quickly.
I believe the trailhead is called Ellis Peak. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...SPU81KS0GM.DTL The views are wonderful!
It is an out and back hike. But take a good topo map with you; there a lot of divergent trails in here.

If you drive on Barker Pass just over the summit, you will find the parking lot for the Pacific Crest Trail. There are hikes in both directions from this trailhead, and you can get a lot of information online about them. But definitely get a good topographical map!

MichelleY

Elnap- do you need a permit for this hike? We are up there every summer and may want to try this instead of our usual veging out!

sf7307

I didn't know you needed hiking permits anywhere in Tahoe! We plan to be hiking up there every weekend this summer, so this will be added to our list. Thanks.

elnap29

You don't need a permit for the Ellis Peak Trail, but you might need one for the Pacific Crest Trail/Tahoe Rim Trail.

We may see you there this summer!

sf7307

We've hiked parts of the Tahoe Rim Trail - if we needed a permit, we didn't know it!

elnap29

I just looked this up. No permit needed for day use. Backpackers need to get a permit.
http://www.tahoerimtrail.org/index.p...=83&Itemid=149

cas4075

No permits required for Tahoe Rim Trail hikes and there are some great legs. But, one of my favorite hikes is right near Soda Springs - Loch Leven Lakes. It's about 3-4 miles in to several alpine lakes. Take your swimsuit and jump in. Trailhead is just 1/2 mile up the road from Rainbow Lodge which is worth a stop to see a rustic old Tahoe lodge (used to be good restaurant - haven't been in awhile). Best to hike it on a weekday.

The bike path from Squaw Valley along the Truckee River is a great family ride too. You can rent bikes in Tahoe City. Lots of mountain biking too.

There's a great concert series at Commons Beach in Tahoe City on Sunday afternoons. Music starts about 4pm, take a picnic, sit on the grass next to Lake Tahoe.

A couple great restaurants for dining on the water are Sunnyside Resort or Garwoods.

I live in Reno and it is a great place to live, but the mountains/lakes are pretty special. If you decide to come to Reno, check out the schedule for Artown. Something every day of July. http://www.renoisartown.com/

NeoPatrick

Oh, Garwoods! Have a Wet Willie, but make sure you have a designated driver!