Lake Tahoe region

Travel resources | Other California destinations | Other California trails

See these for hiking when there is no snow:

Snowshoeing from Bayview (near Emerald Bay) to the Velma Lakes and Fontanillis Falls.

In the summer the trailhead is at Emerald Bay. The trail is the same that goes to Eagle Lake. After Eagle Lake the trail continues up to the junction with the Dick's Pass trail and the Velma Lakes trail. Turn right towards Velma Lakes. There are three lakes. The Upper Velma Lake is created by the 50-meter tall Fontanillis Waterfalls. The Middle Velma lake is about 6 kms from Emerald Bay. Fontanillis Lake is about 8kms from Emerald Bay. The elevation gain is about 500 meters to Fontanillis Lake.

Coordinates of the center of the three lakes: N38.93335ø W120.14753ø

Hiking trails in south Tahoe for snowshoeing found with google:

  • The Echo Lakes Trail is fairly flat for beginners.
  • "The Little Round Top trail takes snowshoers along a ridge providing almost continuous scenic views."
  • "Blackwood Canyon offers wide range of experiences for snowshoers of all levels of skill and endurance."
Camping nearby: Lovers Leap and Sand Flat along Highway 50. Campgrounds along the southern coast of Lake Tahoe: Camp Richardson near Fallen Leaf Lake; Eagle Point on Emerald Bay; Camp Shelly across from Baldwin Beach (25 sites); Fallen Leaf Campground on the north shore of Fallen Leaf Lake (206 sites); and, best of all, Bayview Campground near Inspiration Point (first-come, first-served).

Snowshoeing in Hope Valley

Details here.