Pack Your Cozy Jacket!
Don’t let the snow deter you from getting on the trail! If properly prepared for, this early winter trekking can be a trip to remember. If you would like to rent bear canisters for any overnight trip, give us a call! Stay warm, and watch for icy patches beneath your feet.
(775) 298-4485
***NOTICE: Bear canisters are required for overnight trips in the Lake Tahoe Basin and Desolation Wilderness. Follow this link to read more.
Jump To A Trail Segment, Or Scroll Down For All Segments:
Tahoe City North to Brockway West
Brockway East to Mt. Rose
Tahoe Meadows to Spooner North
Spooner South to Kingsbury North
Kingsbury North to Kingsbury South
Kingsbury South to Big Meadow Trailhead
Big Meadow Trailhead to Echo Summit
Echo Lakes to Barker Pass
Barker Pass to Tahoe City South
Trail Segment Conditions
Tahoe City to Brockway
Last Updated: 11/11/24
Trail Conditions
This area will have light snow cover, with early winter conditions increasing with the elevation. Please plan accordingly.
Tahoe City SNOTEL data is available here.
Water Sources
Water is available at Watson Lake, but it should be carefully treated before consumption. Watson Creek is flowing.
Parking and Access
64 Acres trailhead is plowed during winter months. The gate to access the Fiberboard Freeway closes during the winter season.
Special Consideration for Overnight Trail Users
The dispersed camping area at Watson Lake is scheduled to be open from June 1 – November 15.
Brockway Summit to Mt. Rose Summit
Last Updated: 11/11/24
Trail Conditions
This area will have light snow cover, with early winter conditions increasing with the elevation. Please plan accordingly.
Mt. Rose Ski Area SNOTEL data is available here.
Water Sources
Water is available at Mud Lake (seasonal), Gray Lake, Frog Pond, and Galena Falls. Accessing some of these locations requires leaving the Tahoe Rim Trail and hiking downhill for up to a mile.
Parking and Access
In general, Mt. Rose Trailhead parking access does not close for winter. Tahoe Meadows Trailhead parking access is scheduled to close from November 1 – June 10, depending on snow conditions and other factors. There is limited parking along the highway shoulder.
Trail Use Regulations
Mountain bikes are PROHIBITED within the Mount Rose Wilderness. Mountain bikes and equestrians should take the forest road from Mt. Rose Summit trailhead to Relay Peak as ONLY hikers are allowed on the waterfall trail from Mt. Rose Summit trailhead to Relay Peak. Following these regulations helps prevent user conflicts. Please visit our Regulations and Permits page for more information.
Special Consideration for Overnight Trail Users
The Mount Rose Summit Campground is scheduled to be open for reservations from June 24 through September 10, depending on snow and other conditions. First come, first serve use is scheduled to start June 10. For more details, visit recreation.gov.
Tahoe Meadows to Spooner Summit
Last Updated: 11/11/24
Trail Conditions
This area will have light snow cover, with early winter conditions increasing with the elevation. Please plan accordingly.
The Marlette Pump is up and running at Marlette Campground.
Marlette Lake SNOTEL data is available here.
Water Sources
Reliable water can be found in Ophir Creek, the Marlette Pump at the campground, off the TRT at Marlette Lake, along the Marlette Lake Outlet, at Spooner Lake, and at the bathrooms at the Spooner Lake Visitor’s Center.
Parking and Access
The Tahoe Meadows trailhead is scheduled to be open from June 10 – November 15. There is limited parking along the highway shoulder.
Trail Use Regulations
Bikers are advised to ride on the TRT ONLY on even-numbered calendar days between Tahoe Meadows (Mt. Rose Highway/431) and Tunnel Creek Road. Bikers are PROHIBITED from riding the TRT between Hobart Road and Spooner Summit. Bikers are PROHIBITED from riding Christopher’s Loop because the trail is steep and fragile. Following these regulations helps prevent user conflicts. Please visit Regulations and Permits for more information.
Special Consideration for Overnight Trail Users
The Mount Rose Summit Campground is scheduled to be open for reservations from June 24 through September 10, depending on snow and other conditions. First come, first serve use is scheduled to start June 10. For more details, visit recreation.gov. Dispersed camping is PROHIBITED within the Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park (between Tunnel Creek and Spooner Summit). You must camp at a designated campsite. The only designated campground in the park on the TRT is the Marlette Peak Campground. There is no fee, and no reservations are required. Please visit Backpacking, Bikepacking, and Thruhiking for more information.
Spooner Summit to Kingsbury North
Last Updated: 11/11/24
Trail Conditions
This area will have light snow cover, with early winter conditions increasing with the elevation. Please plan accordingly.
This area is snow-free.
Water Sources
This section has no reliable water sources. The bathrooms at the Kingsbury North trailhead are open throughout the year during daylight hours.
Parking and Access
Kingsbury North trailhead is plowed through the winter. Genoa Peak Road is scheduled to be open from June 1 – November 15.
Kingsbury North to Kingsbury South
Includes Daggett system trails (e.g. Van Sickle Connector Trail)
Last Updated: 11/11/24
Trail Conditions
This area will have light snow cover, with early winter conditions increasing with the elevation. Please plan accordingly.
Water Sources
Water is available on the west side of Hwy 207 at Edgewood Creek and on the Van Sickle Connector Trail at the Van Sickle Waterfall, and at stream crossings below the TRT junction. There is no water on the eastern side of the Daggett Loop.
Parking and Access
Van Sickle Bi-State Park is scheduled to be open for the season to vehicles from May 1 to October 31, sunrise to sunset. The Park is open to pedestrians from sunrise to sunset year-round. Kingsbury North Trailhead is open and plowed through the winter.
Special Consideration for Overnight Trail Users
Dispersed camping is prohibited within the Van Sickle Bi-State Park. Generally, due to this segment’s proximity to neighborhoods, roads, and trailheads, users should avoid camping.
Kingsbury South to Big Meadow
Last Updated: 11/11/24
Trail Conditions
This area will have light snow cover, with early winter conditions increasing with the elevation. Please plan accordingly.
Heavenly Valley SNOTEL data available here
Horse Meadow SNOTEL data available here
Water Sources
Daggett Creek is flowing. Mott Canyon is flowing. Star Lake is a reliable water source. There will likely be springs in a couple of places between the Freel Saddle and Armstrong Pass, approximately 2 miles northeast of Armstrong Pass. Grass Lake Creek has reliable flow.
Parking and Access
Big Meadow trailhead gate is closed during winter months with the presence of snow and ice. There is limited parking available along Highway 89 at the Grass Lake Spur trailhead. Horse Meadows Road/US 051 is not plowed in the winter. Fountain Place Rd. is closed for the 2023 season due to hazard trees from the Caldor Fire.
Trail Use Regulations
Bikers are PROHIBITED from riding the Freel Peak Trail. Following this regulation helps prevent erosion and other resource damage. Please visit the Regulations and Permits page for more information.
Overnight Trail Users
The Luther Pass Campground near the Big Meadow trailhead is scheduled to be open from May 25 – November, depending on weather and other factors.
Big Meadow to Echo Summit
Last Updated: 11/11/24
Trail Conditions
This area will have light snow cover, with early winter conditions increasing with the elevation. Please plan accordingly.
Showers Lake still has snow patches.
Carson Pass SNOTEL data is available here
Water Sources
There is water at Big Meadow Creek, Round Lake, Dardanelles Lake (off the TRT), Showers Lake, the Upper Truckee River at Meiss Meadow, the ponds at the Four Lakes region just north of Meiss Meadow (approximately a mile south of Showers Lake), the flower bowl north of Showers Lake, approximately 3 miles south of Echo Summit at the upper end of the Benwood Meadow feeder creek, and in the creek that feeds Benwood Meadow 1.5 miles south of Echo Summit. There is also a pond near Benwood Meadow on the residential trail.
Parking and Access
The main parking lot at Echo Summit (Adventure Mountain) charges an $8 concessionaire fee when open (currently closed). Limited parking is available outside the main lot.
Trail Use Regulations
The TRT joins the Pacific Crest Trail from Meiss Meadow to Echo Lake and beyond. Bikers are PROHIBITED from riding or being walked on the PCT. Following this regulation helps prevent user conflicts (and hefty fines!). Please visit Regulations and Permits for more information.
Echo Lakes to Barker Pass
Last Updated: 11/11/24
Trail Conditions
This area will have increased snow cover compared to the other segments. Please plan accordingly.
Echo Peak SNOTEL data is available here.
Water Sources
There are plenty of water sources from the southern border of Desolation Wilderness north to Middle Velma Lake. All lakes should be considered reliable. Seasonal Phipps Creek will likely flow in the spring through mid-summer. Water is also available at Richardson Lake and from springs and streams south of Barker Pass.
Parking and Access
Parking is extremely difficult at Echo Lakes. The TRTA recommends trail users park at Echo Sno Park. The road to the Echo Lakes trailhead is not plowed in the winter. The Echo Lakes water taxi is scheduled to be open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Contact Echo Lakes Chalet for shuttle information. Barker Pass Road through Blackwood Canyon is open from spring to fall depending on snow. It is normally scheduled to open on June 15th.
Bayview trailhead is currently closed to vehicle traffic. Limited parking exists outside of the gate along Hwy 89. Use extreme caution. Please use the designated pedestrian bypass to travel through the parking area to the trailhead.
Trail Use Regulations
Bearproofing of all smellables (food, hygiene products, etc.) in a hard-sided canister designed to prevent access by bears is required in Desolation Wilderness per Forest Service Order No. 03-22-11.
This entire section is collocated with the Pacific Crest Trail. Bikers are PROHIBITED from riding or being walked on the PCT and from riding or being walked in Desolation Wilderness. Following this regulation helps prevent user conflicts (and hefty fines!). Please visit Regulations and Permits for more information.
Special Considerations for Overnight Trail Users
Camping is prohibited between Highway 50 and the Desolation Wilderness border. Once within Desolation Wilderness, overnight users must have a permit. See our Regulations & Permits page for details.
Barker Pass to Tahoe City (64 Acres)
Last Updated: 11/11/24
Trail Conditions
This area will have light snow cover, with early winter conditions increasing with the elevation. Please plan accordingly.
Ward Creek SNOTEL data is available here.
Water Sources
North Fork Blackwood Creek has water. There are several springs crossing the trail north of Barker Pass and south of Twin Peaks. Ward Creek is a reliable water source.
Parking and Access
64 Acres trailhead is plowed during the winter. Barker Pass Road through Blackwood Canyon is open from spring to fall, and closed in the winter depending on snowpack.
Trail Use Regulations
The TRT joins the Pacific Crest Trail heading south from Granite Chief Wilderness. Bikers are PROHIBITED from riding on the PCT and from riding in Granite Chief Wildernesses. Following this regulation helps prevent user conflicts (and hefty fines!). Please visit Regulations and Permits for more information.
Additional Resources:
- For information on joining the 165 Mile Club, click here.
- For information on fire restrictions in Lake Tahoe, click here.
- For information on backcountry motor vehicle use, visit this page.
- For information on USFS info on gate, trailhead, and road closures, click here.
- For information about mountain bike and e-bike regulations on the TRT, click here.
- For a listing of special upcoming trail events held on the TRT that may affect your trail experience, click here.
- For information about conditions on mountain bike trails that link to the TRT, visit the Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association’s webpage.
- To hire to your own consultant to help with winter season activities and other activities, click here.
