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Painted Rock Loop via Tahoe Rim Trail (TRT)

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 4.1 (24)
  1. Areas
  2. CA
  3. …High Sierra
  4. …Lake Tahoe
  5. Tahoe City
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“A long climb rewarded with some of the best views in all of Tahoe and a great descent. ”

Nick Wilder
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Map Key

18.4

Miles

29.6

KM

85%

Singletrack

7,684' 2,342 m

High

6,268' 1,911 m

Low

1,959' 597 m

Up

1,959' 597 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

16%

Max Grade (9°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

Overview

This is a difficult loop. It's only moderately technical (at least in the counter-clockwise direction as shown), but the climbs are long and tiring, and route-finding is quite difficult in the first half (use the MTB Project mobile app). But the scenery is just stunning, from old-growth forests to huge lake views. And the descent, though a bit rocky, is great fun on a modern bike with big wheels and decent suspension.

Description

Starting from Tahoe City, take the bike path north until you get to Village Road (look for a sign for the cross country ski area). Follow this road until it ends and look for a trail. There are many trails here, but it doesn't matter too much at this point, as long as you use the app and get on the right one eventually.

Find your way to Dollar Reservoir and have fun riding over the dam (or go around), and then follow dirt roads for a mile or two. This area is extremely confusing - did I mention you should use the app yet?

You now have two options:
Option 1. (shown here). Turn left on unmarked singletrack (named "Brutal connector to the TRT" here) and start heading up. The trail goes up and down a bit, but the middle section is a relentless 500' climb that most people will walk. The benefit of this option is you get up for some nice easy miles on the TRT. Follow the TRT for several miles of easy level, smooth riding on what must have been a road a long time ago. Arrive at 73 Rd and follow it for 100 feet before making an easy-to-miss left turn back on to singletrack. The next section is super fun, fast, bermed and buffed singletrack going slightly downhill.

Option 2. Continue on the dirt road for a while longer until you get to The Great Ski Race. Take this fantastic singletrack for a couple miles until it ends at Mt. Watson Rd. Take the paved road uphill until you find the TRT.

From either option, you are now at the Tahoe Rim Trail - Brockway Summit to Tahoe City where it hits Mt. Watson Rd. From here, the trail enters a beautiful forest with nice, relatively moderate switchbacks. These are fun for a while, but this last climb is surprisingly long and tiring. You'll wander around the Painted Rocks (with a few side trails available to explore), before heading out one more ridgeline.

When you find yourself in a huge pile of basalt (volcanic) rocks, you're finally finished climbing. Enjoy the views and now the fun really begins. You now have ALMOST 6 MILES of downhill awesomeness with some of the greatest views of any trail. Stop once in a while to soak it in and let your brakes cool!

You'll end up right in Tahoe City just a couple blocks from where you started.

Contacts

Land Manager: USFS - Tahoe National Forest Office

Shared By:

Nick Wilder
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.1 from 24 votes

#3

in Tahoe City

#911

Overall
  4.1 from 24 votes
5 Star
29%
4 Star
63%
3 Star
4%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
4%
Recommended Route Rankings

#3

in Tahoe City

#136

in California

#911

Overall
15 Views Last Month
19,159 Since Jun 28, 2013
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
5%
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5%
21%
68%
0%
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Photos

These views don't get old!
Jun 30, 2013 near Sunnysi…, CA
Yep, just another view...
Jun 30, 2013 near Sunnysi…, CA
June flowers on our way up to the Tahoe Rim Trail
Jun 30, 2013 near Dollar…, CA
The high point of this ride, and a damn fine place for a rest.
Jun 30, 2013 near Sunnysi…, CA
Careful riding along "Thunder Cliff" above the Truckee River
Jun 30, 2013 near Sunnysi…, CA
Scenic ride around Lake Tahoe via Dollar Point Trail
Oct 12, 2019 near Dollar…, CA

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Check-Ins

Aug 31, 2024
Jacob Yoder
Check Strava from August 23-26 2024 for rides I did in Tahoe. 77 miles, 9600 feet of elevation total!
Sep 6, 2023
Spencer Green
Jul 10, 2023
Justin Genant
Oct 1, 2022
Daniel Trugman
Jun 26, 2022
Remi Vichery
Jun 19, 2022
Samuel Holster
Oct 9, 2021
Bryan South
18.6mi — 3h 30m
Jul 8, 2021
Justin Genant

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