Top 3 Moutain Bike Trails for Spring

Top 3 Moutain Bike Trails for Spring

It is full Spring now and time to put the skis away and get out the Summer gear… 

Unless you want to squeeze a few more drops out of Winter and ski Alpine Meadows for the next couple of weekends till May 11th… 

My favorite mountain bike trails are free of snow and ready to ride.  Time to get out and enjoy the crisp clean air! 

#1 Emigrant Trail

This is a super fun rolling trail that climbs and descends through woods, around meadows, past streams and concludes at Stampede Reservoir.  The trail is all single track,  well marked and not very technical.  A great choice for the novice and intermediate riders or for an early season warm up.

How Long: 10 miles out to Stampede and  10 miles back

Directions to trailhead: Head North on HWY 89 past Gray's Crossing and past East Alder Creek Road.  You will see a turn-off on the right hand side for a picnic area.  This is where I like to start this ride adding about 1 mile but with the added pleasures of a bathroom and picnic tables.  If you miss that, continue on HWY 89 for another mile or so till you cross a bridge.  Just across the bridge on the right is a dirt parking lot with a trail map where you can also start.  

Sawtooth Trail

#2 Sawtooth Ridge Trail

The sawtooth ride is a rocky, twisty, thrill ride through the hills above the Truckee River.  Starting in the Sierra Meadows neighborhood of Truckee, this trail will take you on a 10 mile lolly pop shaped loop.  You will be pedaling through the woods and then POP! out of the woods you will be on top of an overlook looking down at the river or climbing up and up and POP! a clearing with views across the canyon to the next mountain range.  

How Long: 10 Mile lolly pop loop

Directions to trailhead: From downtown Truckee: Head East on Brockway Road.  Take a right on Palisades Drive at the stop light.  Head into the Sierra Meadows neighborhood.  Take your 3rd right on Silverfir Drive and your second left at Thelin Drive.  The first right is a dirt road.  Take this road in about 1/4 mile and there is a parking lot.  You will find the trailhead and a trail map there. 

View from Martis Peak Fire Lookout

#3 Tahoe Rim Trail

There are many different ways to mountain bike the Tahoe Rim Trail (TRT) but the section on top of Brockway summit has some big rewards for a short ride.  This is a steep climb up to some amazing lookouts over Lake Tahoe.  If you make it to the very top you can visit the Martis Peak fire lookout and see the 360 degree view and over 5 lakes.  Worth the tough climb up and you still get the reward of all that downhill!  If you want to make it to the top you will want to take a left when the TRT merges with a dirt road.  This will put you out onto a paved road for about 1/2 mile till you hit the wooden fire lookout building.  

View from Tahoe Rim Trail

How Long: 4 miles up and 4 miles back down

Directions to trailhead: Take HWY 267 south towards Kings Beach.  Drive past Northstar and all the way to the summit of Brockway.  Just as the road starts to head downhill there is a parking area to the right.  Park here.  The trailhead is on the opposite side of the road up a short dirt road where you will find the trailhead and trail map. 

Have fun ridding and stay tuned for Northstar Mountain Bike park to open June 15th.  Always a fun time no matter what your ability. 

Katie Tyler

Realtor®

BRE 01442453

c 530 277 1012 

The Tahoe Tessie Legend

The Tahoe Tessie Legend

Have you heard about the mysterious creature that is said to roam the clear blue waters of Lake Tahoe?  Could you be lucky enough to catch a glimpse next time you visit Big Blue?

The legend of Tahoe Tessie dates back to the mid 19th century as tales were told by members of the Washoe and Paiute tribes.  These days Tahoe Tessie is known as anything from a black serpent-like creature to a friendly green reptile.  Sightings have been described as, "It was about as big around as a telephone pole and maybe 30'-60' in length" and "what looked like a green kayak that had flipped and sank below the surface" and "very tall object with a long face long neck reaching above the water, long like a very big python, with two humps behind it".  

Tahoe Tessie is said to live in an underwater lair beneath Cave Rock located on Tahoe's East Shore.  With Lake Tahoe being 1,600 feet deep, the 11th deepest lake in the world, there is plenty of room for Tessie to hide, live, play and creep without being seen.  As the years go on, so does the story.  So, keep your eyes open and see if you can spot the big green reptile who calls Tahoe home.  

For the young or the young at heart, check out The Story of Tahoe Tessie: The Original Lake Tahoe Monster.

Click here to buy your own copy and join in the fun, mystery and excitement of Tahoe's oldest folklore! 

Katie Tyler

Realtor®

BRE 01442453

c 530 277 1012 

Truckee Coffee Shop Tour

Truckee Coffee Shop Tour

coffeebartruckee.com

Seeking out a good coffee shop when you're in a new town is a great way to warm up to the local scene.  There's a variety of choices to fit your style about town. 

For the place to see and be seen, head to Coffee Bar in Old Town Truckee.  Their amazing coffee starts with the bean.  Coffebar uses only C1 grade, organic, sustainable and direct-trade coffees.  This, and the combination of baristas that are always striving to perfect the art, results in one delicious cup of coffee in any form… espresso, mexican mocha or….  The weather is heating up and the deck is always open.  If you end up enjoying your coffee for too long and day turns into afternoon, you can switch to their selection of Italian beer and wine!  

wildcherriescoffeehouse.com

On the other side of town located next to the firehouse on Donner Pass Road is Wild Cherries Coffee House.  I often find myself stopping here two times a day.  Once to get the day going and again for lunch or an afternoon pick-up.  The food selection is just perfect for a quick bite to eat in the morning, a snack or for lunch.  If you go, you have to try the fresh baked muffins in the morning and the homemade vegetarian chili for lunch!

A smaller neighborhood coffee shop is located by the 7-11 across from the Regional Park just above downtown Truckee.  Tuff Beanz is a great place to find a quiet corner in one of the cozy booths or couches gathered around the fireplace and read a book while sipping your coffee.  This one is only for the early birds as they close at 2pm.  

And coming soon…. Dark Horse Coffee from San Diego.  Looking forward to checking this place out.  Located in the historic Cook's building on the other side of the tracks from Old Town Truckee below Spirit Interior Design.

darkhorseroasting.com

Enjoy your coffee and let me know where you find your favorite roast! 

Katie Tyler

Realtor®

BRE 01442453

c 530 277 1012 

Home Run: Exceptional Homes…Exceptional sales

Exceptional Homes…Exceptional sales

By Ridge Cowee

Home Run

We have had a great few weeks here in Mountainside, specifically our ski-in ski-out Home Run residences.  The month of April will be one for the books as we will be settling on over $8.5 million in sales in Home Run alone with extensive interest throughout the project and an impending offer on an additional residence.   We are down to 5 of our original 16 townhome properties and considering the recent flurry of activity it will not stay that way for long.  Phase 2 is nearly complete with landscaping scheduled to begin this week.  Treehouse, the private amenity building for Mountainside homeowners looks amazing and is scheduled for completion in early summer!

Treehouse 

Now is the time to get in on the ground floor of one of the most exciting developments in the Tahoe region.  The luxury real estate market is booming and values continue to climb.  Take advantage of a motivated developer and get a great deal on a second home or investment property here at Northstar.  If you want to be a part of this exclusive ski-in ski-out community you should probably come back for a visit very soon; many of our incentive programs will be coming to an end in conjunction with ski season, including our two year membership offers to both the Ritz Carlton and The Tahoe Mountain Club. 

Interest levels are high so come to Northstar and take advantage of the opportunity to be a part of something unique! 

Katie Tyler

Realtor®

BRE 01442453

c 530 277 1012