Meeks Bay Trail

200 yards past the Meeks Bay Resort
7941 Emerald Bay Road
Meeks Bay, California
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Directions to the trailhead: Take Highway 89 to the Meeks Bay Resort. Parking is located across the highway from the resort in a small dirt parking lot. Access: This moderate hike takes you along the northern most part of the unofficial Tahoe-Yosemite Trail. After following a road for approximately 1.3 miles, the trail passes a small spring, parallels Meeks Creek and continues upward into a forested valley. A chain of alpine lakes can be seen before the trail ascends 1,000 feet up a series of switchbacks leading to Phipps Pass.

Attractions and Considerations: A wilderness permit is required. Day hikers, pick up your permit at the self serve area at the trailhead. Overnight hikers will need an overnight permit for Desolation Wilderness. This permit must be purchased before you get to the Meeks Bay Trailhead.

Leashed dogs welcome. Lower elevations great for snow-shoeing and cross-country skiing in winter.

Tails in Tahoe

Clover playing in Fallen Leaf Lake. Premshiree-Pillai (CC)

Most hikes around Lake Tahoe—and there are hundreds—can be enjoyed with your best friend. But if your goal is to bask in fall color, better get a move on. The aspens and other color-makers at higher elevations have already peaked, but you’ll still find some golden glow around the lakeshore. Go to CalifornaFallColor.com for leaf-peeper updates—and, as always, check weather reports before rounding up your pup and heading into the high country. Be prepared for snow, because at this time of year, you never know! more »

Meeks Bay Trail

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