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The most beautiful time of year is upon us once again in Lake Tahoe. Wildflower season may not always come at the same time of year, but once it does, there's nothing quite like the splendor that it creates. The vast array of blooms, in a plethora of colors, heightens the enjoyment of any experience in the Sierra forests. The number of flowers that come to life depends on the water available and the warmth. Luckily for us all, these two factors are coming together this year in a perfect way that allows for what looks like a bumper crop of wildflowers.
The lupin of Commons Beach showcasing their beauty. Photo credit: Norma Jean Bowers
If you play your cards right and use slope aspects and elevation to your advantage, you can find wildflowers on a year like this one for many months to come. That is, if you know where to go. Beyond the four trails I wrote about a while back, keep reading to learn about six other favorite places to go to play amongst the wildflowers. If you are wondering what you are looking at, use our blog from a few weeks ago to learn about six wildflowers to keep an eye out for.
Paige Meadows
Tahoe City
Paige Meadows has so many things going for it. First, it is located at the top of the Tahoma neighborhood, making the views spectacular. Second, it is a series of large meadows (thus the name), so the hikes are pretty mellow and don't require a lot of vertical rise or fall, depending on what you want to do, of course. In all, Paige Meadows has five meadows that are all interconnected with single-track trails great for walking or mountain biking. Each meadow offers its own unique offering of various wildflowers, giving it a lot of bang for the buck. The easiest access point for Paige Meadows is off Silver Tip Drive, located 2 miles south of Tahoe City on Highway 89. To find the trailhead parking, turn right on Pine off of Highway 89. Then take a right on Tahoe Park Heights, continuing on Big Pine up the hill and then turn left on Silver Tip. Follow the road until it ends and the trail begins.
Whether riding or walking, the beauty of Tahoe Meadows abounds. Photo credit: Keep Tahoe Blue
Ophir Creek & Tahoe Meadows
Incline Village
A great trail located at the top of Mt. Rose Highway, this meandering trail within Tahoe Meadows may be the easiest way to take in the beauty of the wildflowers. There is a short interpretive trail to make things simple, or you can take a portion of the Tahoe Rim Trail's Tahoe Meadows Trail, where you will head south crossing over many bloom-infused meadows. Once the Tahoe Rim Trail reaches Ophir Creek, you have the option of walking along a wooden boardwalk, hiking to one of three easy meadow trail loops. Or you can hike Ophir Creek Trail proper, giving you a longer, but equally gorgeous viewpoint of the floral extravaganza. To access the trail, travel from Incline Village via Highway 431 (Mt. Rose Highway) 7 miles toward Reno. Once the road begins to level out, you will begin to see a large meadow to your right. Park here, where you will find the trailhead for Ophir Creek at the edge of the meadow or the Tahoe Rim Trail a half-mile up to the right.
Meiss Meadows & Shadow Lake
South Lake Tahoe
A definite favorite for locals, this wildflower viewing arena is known for its purple iris, pink elephant heads and fields of paintbrush and lupin. A part of the Pacific Crest Trail, this portion extends from Carson Pass, climbing 2 miles to the saddle, offering views of Round Top and the Lake Tahoe Basin. The trail descends into a long sequence of meadows known as Meiss Meadows. After around 3 miles, you will come upon the junction to the Tahoe Rim Trail where you can begin the Big Meadow trail that passes Round Lake after 5 miles of climbing. But don't let the strenuous ascent discourage you because your efforts will be rewarded. After passing Round Lake, you will be gifted with an incredible section of wildflowers before enjoying a rejuvenating swim in Showers Lake. This may not be an easy hike, but the ascent and long miles are a great trade-off for the waist-high fields of wildflowers that invigorate the soul.
Lake Tahoe offers more than 20 different species of paintbrush. Photo credit: Leslie Doherty
Tahoe Rim Trail
Entire Lake Tahoe
The absolute star for seeing wildflowers, Tahoe Rim Trail circumnavigates Lake Tahoe and encompasses 165 miles of single-track trail. Within this renowned trail you will pass through two states, six counties, one state park, three national forests and three wilderness areas, not to mention enjoy world-class views. But what sets this hike above the rest are the amazing varieties of wildflowers that you get to see at different junctures of the trail. Each segment showcases its own flowers, making it a spectacular way to see all of the floral beauty available all in one trail. There are 10 trailheads to choose from, making access in segments easy, eventually creating a continuous loop around the lake. The trail lengths range from 12 to 32 miles, depending on the segment chosen. Here are some of the segments and the flowers that you will enjoy:
- Tahoe City to Brockway Summit: Known for its varieties of sugarstick.
- Brockway Summit to Mt. Rose/Tahoe Meadows: Enjoy the alpine wildflowers on the summit of Relay Peak.
- Tahoe Meadows to Spooner Summit: The damp conditions of Tahoe Meadows lends to a favorable growing climate for purple elephant's head.
- Spooner Summit to Kingsbury Grade: A drier environment, this section is known for its fields of mule's ear.
- Kingsbury Grade to Big Meadow: A section that includes Star Lake and damp meadows, this is a prime growing environment for crimson columbine.
- Big Meadow to Echo Summit & Echo Lake: A section that is known for a spectacular array of different wildflowers.
- Echo Summit & Echo Lake to Barker Pass: This is considered the heart of Desolation Wilderness and where the Tahoe Rim Trail overlaps the Pacific Crest Trail. This section is known for lupin, mule's ear and other floral species that enjoy a bit more arid of conditions.
- Barker Pass to Tahoe City: One of the better options for a shorter excursion, this segment is known for a dense section of wildflowers near the tributary stream.
Sagehen Creek
Truckee
This is the first place to go for wildflowers once the snow has begun to melt. A 5-mile round trip, it is considered to be one of the best places to see a lot of wildflowers at once. The trailhead begins at Sagehen Creek, offering access to a floral habitat that benefits from a creek bed. You will then head into a mellow stroll that takes you through a friendly forest of Jeffrey pines. After about a mile in, you will come across large meadows that are known for their purple camas lilies. Continue on across a foot bridge that leads to a landscape of flowers that leads to the shores of Stampede Reservoir. To access the trailhead take Highway 89 north from Truckee for nearly 7 miles. On the right is a small dirt parking area that is right of the trailhead.
Shirley Canyon Trail offers immeasurable wildlflower enjoyment. Photo credit: Norma Jean Bowers
Shirley Canyon Trail
Olympic Valley
A trail that may not be accessible soon due to a proposed condominium build, Shirley Canyon Trail is a magical section of Tahoe that all should enjoy and experience. This trail sparkle to life through the meandering creek that borders the trail, offering waterfalls to swim in and enjoy. But it also is a beautiful way to access one of the more stunning parts of Olympic Valley. The trail eventually leads you to the upper section of the ski area and then to the summit of Granite Peak, with almost all the wildflowers in Tahoe present along the way. To access the trailhead, follow Olympic Valley Road past the ski resort until the road comes to an end. Park and find the trail to the left of the last condominium complex.
About the Author Shanie Matthews
A longtime Lake Tahoe local, Shanie is a freelance writer, Vinyasa Flow yoga teacher and positivity warrior. A true lover of the the gorgeous Tahoe region, she connects with the serenity of the mountains via skiing, biking and backpacking. She also believes in the gift of yoga and its way of allowing one to become his or her true best self, a passion she shares with the world with her online yoga studio.
