Wild Salmon

Kokanee Salmon

It’s fall in Tahoe, another beautiful time of the year all around the Lake as the trees light up with orange, yellow and red colors.  The trees are not the only things changing color though.  Look a little closer and you will find bright red Kokanee Salmon swimming up from the Tahoe area lakes into rivers and streams to spawn.

The month of October is the prime time to see these striking fish dart upstream to lay eggs.  The fish, both the male and the female, turn from a silver grey to bright red bodies with green heads as they begin to mate.  The male grows a large hooked beak and hump in the middle of their back making it look quite fierce.  In some areas you can see hundreds and in others, just a few. It is like watching tropical fish as you see these bright colors in the crystal clear waters fighting the river current to swim upstream.  They are in search of where they were born only 4-6 years earlier.  This is where they will lay their eggs and die shortly after.  This then creates plenty of food for bears and eagles.  So, as you admire the Salmon down in the river, be sure to look around to see what other wildlife might be close by.  

Taylor Creek, located on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe, is the primary spawning stream in the Tahoe Basin for the Kokanee Salmon.  This location has been set up to showcase this beautiful act in nature.  There are four self-guided trails.  You will want to start with the Rainbow Trail that features the Stream Profile Chamber.  This has been engineered into a diverted portion of the stream to provide an aquarium-like window of the creek profile.  Watch under the water as the salmon swim by.  Then back to the trail to venture along the creek, over bridges and through the golden landscape. 
   

Sagehen Creek just outside of Truckee is another great place to spot the Kokanee Salmon.  Totally different than the Taylor Creek location, this is a 2.5 mile hike out to the creek where the fish can be seen swimming out of Stampede Reservoir.  During this quiet time of year in the area, chances are that you could be the only one out there.  Enjoy the peace and take it all in as the salmon swim through the golden meadow upstream and perhaps you will also spot an eagle flying overhead.

Katie Tyler

Realtor®

BRE 01442453

c 530 277 1012 

Hike: Mount Tallac

Hike: Mount Tallac

For every season in Tahoe there is a different reason to be outside enjoying what nature and this area brings to us.  In winter, the fluffy white snow brings us outside to ski, sled, snowshoe or build a snowman.  The spring brings us outside to enjoy the tacky trails for mountain biking, the fresh blooming flowers and the warm sun.  The summer holds endless beach days, boating, camping and swimming.  In Tahoe, fall is the perfect time of year to head up into the mountains for a day hike.  

One of my favorite Tahoe hikes is the Mount Tallac trail.  This trail is located on the south side of Lake Tahoe just past Emerald Bay, about 5 miles if you are heading south on HWY 89.  Mount Tallac is 9,734 feet above sea level and is the 12th highest peak that surrounds Lake Tahoe’s shores.  This is no easy hike with 3,000 foot elevation gain in the 5 miles to the top but the views are worth it.  The trails starts by meandering through the forest with a spectacular view of Fallen Leaf Lake on the left. 

On the way up you will also pass Floating Island Lake and Cathedral Lake. After Cathedral Lake, the trail emerges from the forest to switchbacks as you approach the summit.  Once you make it to the top, your tired legs will thank you as there are jaw-dropping views in every direction. Fallen Leaf Lake, Freel Peak, the Carson Range, Echo Summit, Highway 50, Ralston Peak, the ski runs at Sierra-at-Tahoe, Pyramid Peak, Desolation Wilderness, Gilmore Lake, Susie Lake, Dicks Peak, Twin Peaks, High Camp at Squaw Valley and Granite Chief can all be seen but Lake Tahoe steals the show.  As you are perched on top of this large rock pile looking over the top of Big Blue, you will be proud of yourself and see that every step up was worth it to be where you are. 

Be prepared, it will take about 6-8 hours round trip depending on how fast you go.  Pack lots of water and food and start early because the fall equinox is now behind us and the days are getting shorter.  It’s time to maximize the crisp fall days and set aside a day to explore Mount Tallac. 

Click here for trail information. 

Katie Tyler

Realtor®

BRE 01442453

c 530 277 1012 

Sugar Bowl to Squaw Valley Hike

Sugar Bowl to Squaw Valley Hike

This does take some coordination and planning ahead as it is best to do a one way shuttle hike. Start by parking one car at Squaw Valley in the main skier parking lot. Then, everyone jumps in the other car for a trip to the start of the hike, Donner Summit. The trailhead starts just past the Sugar Bowl Ski Academy off of Old HWY 40. 

The hike starts out with a rocky stairway switchback path. About a mile in, make sure to continue on the PCT and don’t take the Mt. Judah Loop Trail. Soon you will be on top of Mt. Lincoln feeling like you are on the top of the world with views that go on for miles. From here the trail is clear and the wildflowers are plenty. Pass by Anderson Peak, Tinker’s Knob and Mountain Meadow Lake, a very shallow lake resembling a meadow. Most of the hike stays on or near the crest of the range but there at one point it does dive down into the west side with a tough climb back out. The views, some of the finest in the Tahoe area, are well worth the challenge. 

At about 12 miles into your hike you will get to a junction for the Granite Chief trail. This is where you leave the PCT and head down into Squaw Valley. Now it is down, down, down to the valley floor. The trail is difficult to follow at times but look for the stacked rocks (cairns) as indication you are on the right path. As you are farther down there are many options but no matter which one you follow, you will end up in the parking lot where you left your car at the beginning of the day.
The day will end with 17 miles on your feet, 2,500 feet gained and 4,100 feet descended and a million smiles. There is always the option of après-hike food and drink in the Village at Squaw Valley.

Katie Tyler

Realtor®

BRE 01442453

c 530 277 1012 

Spring Hike at Prosser

Spring Hike at Prosser

After a snowy white winter and a rainy wet April, Tahoe is glowing green again.  This is quite refreshing after a few dry years.  I am having a great time getting out, breathing in the fresh clean air and seeing the beginnings of what we have in store for us this summer.  The leaves on the trees are starting to grow thick, the flowers are starting to open up, the rivers are raging with water and there are many blue bird days to be enjoyed.  

My most recent adventure was a walk out at the Donner Camp Picnic Ground.  Located just a couple miles from Truckee on HWY 89N, this is great for the whole family.  There is plenty of parking, picnic tables tucked away under the trees, bathrooms and a 1/3 mile interpretive trail.  The trail is mostly gravel and wide enough for a stroller.   Follow the path as it winds through the meadow and over the marsh on a long wooden boardwalk.  Along the way you can stop at the trailside signs to learn about the Donner Party members that spent the winter of 1846-47 trapped at this location.  This is the site of a tragedy, but also a major part of history in Truckee. 

 
When you get to about half way on the trail, just before it starts to wrap around to head back to the start, look for a small trail by the placard rock and old dead tree base.  Take this trail out to the meadow.  The trail will fade away but just look up and take all the views in, they are incredible.  If you are feeling adventurous, keep walking through the meadow to find rivers splitting in every direction, ospreys soaring in the wind, chickadees building their nests and Prosser Lake.  

For a longer option, the Emigrant Trail runs right through the parking lot.  Take it in either direction.  Head North for about 10 miles to get to Stampede Reservoir or South for about 2 miles where you will hit Prosser Reservoir.  

The trails are endless and the beauty right now is breathtaking.  Get out and explore this little known stop in Truckee.  

Katie Tyler

Realtor®

BRE 01442453

c 530 277 1012 

Donner Summit Canyon: Day Hike

Donner Summit Canyon: Day Hike

In 2011 the Truckee Donner Land Trust acquired 260 acres of the lower part of "Summit Canyon" below Donner Pass and just above Donner Lake's West End.  This opened up a whole new recreation area for hiking, biking and picnicking.  Especially interesting for it's history as the original Dutch Flat Donner Lake Wagon Road in 1864 and for decades, the main route over this part of the Sierra.  

Last weekend I took the family to explore this new area.  We ended up doing a 3 mile round trip up to the Donner Lake lookout.  This is the perfect afternoon activity with everything from river crossings, history lessons and breathtaking views. 

There are many trails to explore but we decided to follow the well marked path and signs pointing us to the viewpoint.  This is a mellow hike that starts off forested and and quickly crosses a river, winds through a marshy meadow and gradually climbs upwards.  You are thoroughly rewarded as you finally emerge through the trees and peak out over the landscape down to Donner Lake.  Waiting for you at the top is your very own picnic table!  

Remember to bing a lunch and enjoy some PB&J's as you gaze at the breathtaking view.  
If you still have more energy in store, you can get back onto the main trail and head even further up the canyon to see the original 1867 Rail Road tunnel, China Wall, petroglyphs and old advertisements painted on rocks while you walk the actual route of the old highway with continuous views of Donner Lake.  If you do reach the top of the summit you can then connect to the Pacific Crest Trail and in the future this will be a connector to the Donner Rim Trail.  

This is an amazing new addition to the Truckee hiking trails.  I recommend getting outside and exploring for yourself!  

Click here for a trail map

Katie Tyler

Realtor®

BRE 01442453

c 530 277 1012