National Geographic released a guide called the 100 Hikes of a Lifetime U.S.A by Stephanie Pearson, and many California trails made the cut. The book includes Nat Geo photography and lists beautiful, unique, and bucket-list hiking trails around the country, including the massive Tahoe Rim Trail.
Tahoe Rim Trail
The trail surrounds the famed Lake Tahoe, totaling an impressive 165 miles. Nestled in the mountains, the alpine lake is well known for its stunning beauty and shockingly clear water. It is also the largest alpine lake in North America, spanning 122,000 acres.
The Tahoe Rim Trail circles the entire lake, perched along the ridges. It typically takes hikers between 10 and 15 days to complete the full loop, and National Geographic recommends going in late August or early September.
One of the major appeals of the trail, aside from its beautiful scenery, is that it passes near several towns along the lake at several points. This not only makes it accessible for day hikes, but you can re-stock on supplies during your hike.
History of the Tahoe Rim Trail
Glen Hampton, a USFS Recreation Officer, is credited as the founder of the trail, envisioning a massive loop around the lake following the ridges in 1981. Organizers began creating the trail officially in 1984, with construction starting at Luther Pass. It wasn’t until 17 years later, in 2001, that the 150-mile loop was officially completed. Over the years, reroutes and changes to the trail have expanded the total mileage to approximately 165 miles.
What to know before visiting
Today, the trail is often packed with hikers in the summer months. Certain portions of the trail allow biking and even horseback riding. If you plan to hike the full trail (or even just camp a few nights), you need an overnight camping permit for the Desolation Wilderness area of the trail.
Park managers note that the snow on the trail typically melts by the end of June; every year is different, so be sure to schedule your visit with the weather in mind. You can learn more about visiting the Tahoe Rim Trail here.
