7 Days of Tahoe Mountain Biking

by Gary Bell

For me, the ultimate week of riding would take place in early July. The trails are still holding plenty of moisture, and there is still some snow up high in the north-facing terrain (I love snow any time of year). I prefer point A to point B adventure-style riding with technical, scenic and precipitous terrain, and some amount of uncertainty about the reachability of point B. Over seven days, my choice would be to link each day to make it a huge A to B outing that would go something like this:

Day one begins at Bowman Lake on the north side of Highway 80 near Cisco Grove. This ride starts with a climb to the fire lookout on Grouse Ridge, where there is an awesome view of the Lakes Basin area. Then we—I'd travel with a small group of friends to keep things fun and entertaining—launch into an amazing, single-track descent to Eagle Lakes and Highway 80. This one is steep, sinuous and seldom used by anyone; hang on! We then cross under the highway and end the day at the Loch Leven Lakes trailhead. This is the prearranged meeting place for the support vehicle, which is waiting with cold beer, a cook and all of the necessary camping gear. No need to go home; we are at home out in the woods!

Day two begins with coff ee and chain lube. The ride starts with a fairly mild climb past Loch Leven Lakes to the high point for the day. From here, there is a descent of about 4,000 feet on a seldom-used trail into the Royal Gorge of the North Fork of the American River. Absolutely wild! Next we need to cross the river. This can be impossible during certain times of the year (sometimes even in July), but it's quite easy later in the season. Then comes an incredibly steep climb up an old mining trail past an abandoned gold-stamp mill. Eventually, we end up on the Sailor Flat trail at the base of Duncan Peak. Oh, and there is the (prearranged) beer wagon again! I could get used to this.

Day three starts with a climb to another fire lookout. Many of these little cabins in the sky have been abandoned because advanced technology has made most hilltop fire-spotting unnecessary. But some of the more strategic huts are still manned, including this one on Duncan Peak. So we spend a few minutes with the spotter, learning a little about life in a fire lookout and the nearby Red Ridge fire that scorched the area several years ago—which we will pass through as we begin yet another epic descent.

After spending the first half of the day connecting single-track fire roads and a smidge or two of pavement (yuck), we end up at Loon Lake where we jump on the Rubicon Jeep Trail. This is one of the premier off -road vehicle testing grounds in the nation. Lots of big granite moves to deal with here, up and down; not your average off -road trip, and definitely not your average bike path. We can expect to pass some off-roaders with dropped jaws commenting on our sick, trials-type moves. Many of the sections on this "road" have names. This makes it easy to tell friends later about your ride: "Oh yeah, we rode Big and Little Sluicebox. They were pretty easy!"

Day three ends as we drop into the Tahoe Basin at Tahoma on the West Shore. I hope that support wagon has some Advil packed away.

Day four. Did someone say coffee? Oh, and who has that chain lube? Now things get really scenic, and yes, the day starts with the required hill climb. This time from Highway 89 north, just north of Tahoma at Sunnyside, the Stanford Rock trail climbs up to meet the Tahoe Rim Trail (TRT), which is where we will spend the next three and one-half days of pain and pleasure, pushing those pedals, snapping pictures and wondering if the Advil—oh, I mean, beer—wagon will be at point B that evening.

Once we have done the climb to Stanford Rock and gotten on to the TRT, there is a great little side trip that involves stashing the bike and scrambling to the top of Twin Peaks. This is another great high spot, and if you ever ski Alpine Meadows, you see this one off to the south calling you. You might as well answer it now.

This incredible day ends near Brockway Summit at Highway 267. And somehow the beer/Advil/ extra-thick sleeping pad/coffee (in that order) wagon is already there. Did I say it carries food, too?

Day five is an interesting one. From Brockway Summit to Tahoe Meadows on Highway 431 is a 19-mile stretch. No big deal, except that it passes through the Mount Rose Wilderness. This poses a problem for us bike riders because there are no bikes allowed here. We have several options: Drop down the road to Kings Beach, ride to the highway and then climb back up to Tahoe Meadows, or leave the bikes with the goodie wagon, which can drive them around while we hike through. Once at Tahoe Meadows, cross to the east side of the road and continue on the TRT. This section of trail is open to bikes on even-numbered days only, so plan accordingly. Another 22 miles of beautiful single-track, the trail passes 1,000 feet above the world-renowned Flume Trail, and you know how pretty that is! Goodie wagon, where are you? Ah, right there on Highway 50 at Spooner Summit. The best camping here is found by heading up the four-wheel drive road just behind the Nevada Department of Transportation station.

Day six is a big, tough one. We start at Spooner Summit on the TRT. Another morning climb? How about five miles' worth! This brings us to the Bench, another of those spectacular views, this time looking across The Lake at Twin Peaks, where we sat only days ago. No time to rest as we head on to a sweet technical downhill, crossing Kingsbury Grade and heading up Heavenly ski resort, still on the TRT, eventually reaching Freel Pass at 9,600 feet. This is another stash-the-bike point so we can hike to Freel Peak (at 10,891 feet, the highest in the Tahoe area). Back on the bikes, we descend to Armstrong Pass, and then take a left turn into Horse Meadows where our camp awaits. We pass out here.

Day seven. Pour the coffee on my chain; my body could use the chain lube. The morning climb is steep and technical but leads to one of the most fun drops in the Tahoe area: Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. Coming in from this side adds another 30 percent to the descent. Keep your arms and legs in the bus, and enjoy the ride.

Bowman Lake to Mr. Toad's—it just doesn't get much better!

Gary Bell is a 31-year resident of South Lake Tahoe and can't get enough of the backcountry, summer or winter. He built the first off -road bikes in the Tahoe Basin, known as clunkers in the late 1970s, and is the owner of Sierra Ski and Cycle Works, (530) 541- 7505 or www.sierraskiandcycleworks.com