The Lake Tahoe Prologue “LTP” is being organized in the same format as our famous Sierra to the Sea tour. We’ll gather in San Jose on Wednesday morning for the 220 mile bus ride or you may travel on your own to beautiful Camp Richardson on the southern shore of Lake Tahoe! This picturesque location affords easy access to the surrounding roads and amazing vistas as well as the near by tourist Mecca of South Lake and Stateline, Nevada. The quiet Campground has showers and is a short walk from the Camp Richardson Lodge (Tour Check In) as well as the lovely beach. For those who prefer not camping, Camp Richardson has Lodging, so just mention LTP for a discount. Please book by March 1st. For other lodging option, see LTP links page. The two days of riding will both have SAG van support, baggage transport, one stop en route with energy snacks and water. The difference from SttS is that LTP will have less variety at rest stops and will not have masseuses or a mechanic on tour but there is a bike rental (mechanic) right in Camp Richardson.
DAY ZERO:
We’ll gather in San Jose on Wednesday for the 220 mile bus ride to Lake Tahoe.
DAY ONE:
The Jewel of the Sierra, Lake Tahoe rests at 6230 feet above sea level and on Thursday you have the option to enjoy one or two of our supported easy to moderate rides, or you can plan your own ride with the maps provided, or you can just stay near Camp Richardson to rest, acclimate and eat some ice cream to prepare for the next two days of Trans Sierra riding! The final one or two supported ride choices are yet to be determined but some of the many wonderful options could include: Climb old Meyers Rd to Echo Lake for lunch. Ride down to the quiet Pioneer Trail then up toward the Casinos. Ride east past the Casinos, climb up Kingsbury Grade and over Daggett Pass and around to Luther Pass Or maybe a spectacular early morning ride up the west side past Emerald Bay towards Tahoe City. Which ever options we choose you might want to ride over to touch Nevada soil so you can say you’ve ridden all the way across California after you’ve complete the Sierra to the Sea tour! See maps of some optional rides.
DAY TWO:
Today, we must ride. No need to break camp early, let the day warm up a bit. Today’s route is short, just 36 miles, the gain is moderate at 3600’ and the rewards are huge with the late spring views of snow capped peaks from Luther Pass (7740’) the exhilarating 2100 foot descent into the Carson River Canyon and the gentle eastern Sierra roll down into Markleeville. And after getting to camp, an afternoon soak in the pools at Grover Hot Springs State Park should really hit the spot! From Camp Richardson the morning route heads south via Fallen Leaf Lake Rd and tackles a short sweet climb via Tahoe Mountain Rd before passing through the area devastated by the ‘07Angora fire. The short rollers on N. Upper Truckee Rd followed by the gradual ascent on S Upper Truckee Rd will get your legs ready for the short but steep climb to Hwy 89 where we’ll have a rest stop at mile 13 with energy snacks, water and restrooms. The climb over Luther Pass is very gradual, almost flat as it passes along Grass Lake. The fun continues with an exhilarating drop into Hope Valley and the west fork of the Carson River. At Woodfords, turn south on wide shouldered Hwy 89 towards Markleeville. Stop for a snack at the store before the gradual 3.5 mile westward ascent to Grover Hot Springs State Park. The Hot Springs pools are a short ride or walk from our camp.
DAY THREE:
Today, we must climb. On the bright side, there are only three turns on today’s route: Right turn on Hwy 89, Strait onto Hwy 4 and Right turn on Bear Valley Rd. How easy! Actually, we’ll put up some big numbers on this beautiful 40 mile ride. From the 5500’ low point near Markleeville, we’ll ascend the famous east side of 8730’ Ebbetts pass and the 8050’ Pacific Grade Summit. Add in the short little climbs near Lake Alpine and there is over 6000’ of climbing and almost 5000’ of descending on today’s route! After breaking camp at Grover Hot Springs, we’ll stop for breakfast in Markleeville and then enjoy the very pleasant and gradual ascent along the East Fork of the Carson River. Just past the Hwy 4 junction, the huge yellow highway sign warns of steep climbs ahead. Enter the beautiful Silver Creek Canyon and pass a tall brick chimney, a small pioneer family graveyard and the historic marker for Silver Mountain city. Just past the 7000’ elev. sign, stop to catch your breath and a snack at the rest stop at mile 16. From here, the steep climbing comes in short pitches and eases off at the lake just one mile below the summit of Ebbetts Pass. Depending on the total winter snowfall, there will probably be large banks of snow in many north facing locations above 7500’ Carefully descend into Hermit Valley and then climb again up the back side of Pacific Grade. There are some short climbs and drops thru sparse tree cover before descending into the Lake Alpine area. If you need a break, stop here for a drink or a snack from the store. One more little climb and then its down hill 2.5 miles to Bear Valley!
DAY ONE OPTIONAL ROUTES:
This page was last updated on
March 22, 2010
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