Howdy from a San Diegan

[dart70LA]

My Wife, Son(4.5 Years old) and I are coming up to Tahoe for a week and I planned on going on two runs. I am a member of a group down in San Diego called JustRuns, and I posted for leading two runs on Monday/Tuesday 9/8& 9/9(fits our schedule). I did some limited research, and picked some great moderate trails from Charles Wells Northern California Backroads & 4-Wheel Drive Trails.

Then I found that those trails were either closed, or do not exist any more. The only remaining trails that I seem to be able to find are Ellis Peak and Slickrock Trail. SR is two+ hours away from South Lake Tahoe. Are there any other trails that I should be looking at hitting? I had excluded the Rubicon since this is a family trip with some wheeling, not a wheeling trip with some family.

Now to make things worse the only RSVP I had seems to be bailing on me. So we will be running solo. Should I just stick to forest roads and explore, and find a lake to let my son play around? Do you have some other trail recomendations that are moderate or lower? I am running ARBs front and rear, on 32 inch tires, no winch. But since I will be running alone, I can't go too extreme.

Any help you all can offer would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Charles Borden

 

[Drftem]

Welcome fellow SD person. Well I guess technically I am a former sandiegan. Maybe niagra rim trail?

 

[dart70LA]

Welcome fellow SD person. Well I guess technically I am a former sandiegan. Maybe niagra rim trail?

That trail looks good, but too far from South Lake Tahoe. The Slickrock trail is 2 hours, and I haven't told my wife yet. She probably won't be thrilled with too much seat time, considering the drive we are doing to get up to Tahoe.

Is there anyone out in the area interested in meeting up on Monday or Tuesday(9/8 or 9/9)? I would love to do some good trails, but won't run anything too hard without company.

Thank you,
Charles Borden

 

[smokinu]

Best bet is just explore some trails near where you stay.

Slickrock is a great trail thoug.

 

[EricsXJ]

There are two trails I will recommend to you. Both can be done in a stock XJ so you should be okay going it alone, with taking the usual precautions (gear and common sense).

On the West side of Tahoe:

Take the Rubicon trail from Tahoe to Observation Point. This is not a difficult section of the trail, just don't proceed further down Cadillac Hill. Several miles in you will see a sign for Barker Pass Loop to your right. After passing this sign to go to Observation Point, come back to it and drive the loop back to Tahoe. Its been more than 10 years since I did it but it is very scenic from what I remember. This would be a nice day trip (or half day, depending on how many stops you take). One old guide book I have says the entire loop is 30 miles. If you go the way I suggested, you will be starting at McKinney-Rubicon Road in Tahoma. You would complete the loop at Tahoe Pines.

On the East side of Tahoe:

Google "Genoa Peak trail". This is a scenic and easy trail to the top of the peak on that side of Tahoe. Can't tell you first hand how it is because I've never done it.

 

[the_weirdo]

^ I was going to recommend the same loop (on the West side of Tahoe). I've run this with my dad a long time ago on stock-ish jeeps.

 

[sdspearo]

Another San Diegan here...
I second Eric's recommendation for the trail to Observation Point. If you want to get a little adventurous you can even go part way down Cadillac Hill. An ATV guide service takes tourists on ATV rides from Tahoma to Observation Point and back, so the trail shouldn't be totally isolated which is good to know since you'll be solo.

 

[blondejoncherokee]

how built is your rig? I am not a fan of anyone wheeling alone in an unfamiliar territory, even though slick rock is pretty easy, it does have one section that could leave you stranded if you are not prepared. when are you coming up? what days did you want to run slick rock? please post build specs so we can better direct you.

 

[Drftem]

I'm planning to be at slick rock this coming Friday and Saturday......

 

[blondejoncherokee]

I'll probably be out on slick rock this weekend too

 

[Bryan C.]

On the East side of Tahoe:

Google "Genoa Peak trail". This is a scenic and easy trail to the top of the peak on that side of Tahoe. Can't tell you first hand how it is because I've never done it.

I ran this trail about 15 years ago in a bone stock XJ. I had seen it on a map and asked a local law enforcement type about it. He said that the police cruisers and local fire trucks sometimes patrol the area and the road is in good condition, and it was. I will say there is a great spot that looks out over the entire lake once you get to the top of Genoa Peak. I also have heard there is a geocache somewhere near the top if you are into that sorrta thing.

Enjoy, and if for some reason you don't make it out on the trail go check out Virginia City in Nevada. Cool little town with lots of history.

 

[dart70LA]

how built is your rig? I am not a fan of anyone wheeling alone in an unfamiliar territory, even though slick rock is pretty easy, it does have one section that could leave you stranded if you are not prepared. when are you coming up? what days did you want to run slick rock? please post build specs so we can better direct you.

Lift 4.5" Rubicon Express
Dana 44 Rear, 30 Front. ARB's F/R 4.56
32 Inch BFG KM(JK Rubicon Takeoffs)
Fuel and Transfer Case skid, rock rails
High Lift/Chain winching kit/tow strap

My best bet for running a serious trail is Monday 9/8, perhaps Tuesday 9/9. We are coming up on Friday, Saturday is to decompress from the drive, Sunday going to Carson City to ride the steam train to Virginia City. Wednesday/Thursday will be more family time. Friday 9/12 heading back home.

 

[blondejoncherokee]

You are more than built enough to run slick rock

 

[TroopThrowbackt]

I ran this trail about 15 years ago in a bone stock XJ. I had seen it on a map and asked a local law enforcement type about it. He said that the police cruisers and local fire trucks sometimes patrol the area and the road is in good condition, and it was. I will say there is a great spot that looks out over the entire lake once you get to the top of Genoa Peak. I also have heard there is a geocache somewhere near the top if you are into that sorrta thing.



Enjoy, and if for some reason you don't make it out on the trail go check out Virginia City in Nevada. Cool little town with lots of history.

My brothers and I hit Genoa Peak in a stock 2003 4 runner without getting into 4wd last month. The summit is windy as hell (like 45mph steady). We had been BLM camping and hunting squirrels. Good times and great views:

 

[goodwilljeeper]

i hope I'm not so late

there is a small 4x4 area you will have fun with in south lake. find sawmill pond and its called sawmill pond trail. there is an atv track and a 4x4 route. there isn't any obsticals in the path but there are rock gardens on this small loop, about 3.5 miles total to the end and then 3.5 back. thats the max i think its shorter. but its fun. I'm on a 3 1/2 lift on 31's and I've seen 40's having a blast on some sections so you should have fun. there is great views, shade, sun, and some really fun little wheeling. also close to the pond for your son to fish and have a blast. i used to crawdad fish there. hope this helps

 

[goodwilljeeper]

oh and there are tow points in the rocks so if you have a winch you should be able to run it alone. but i would double check once out there.

 

[dart70LA]

Hello again. Went to Rubicon and climbed the Noonchester Mine, and Buck Lake trails. Continued up rubicon to Lily Lake, stopped because of time and my wife's patience was wearing thin. May either run Genoa Peak, or try again to get farther up the Rubicon.