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Commemorative Overland Emigrant Trail

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate Intermediate
 4.3 (51)
  1. Areas
  2. CA
  3. …High Sierra
  4. …Truckee
  5. Tahoe Donner
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“A great 100% singletrack out and back that is a good choice for novice and intermediate riders. ”

Dan Oakland
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15.4

Miles

24.8

KM

100%

Singletrack

6,227' 1,898 m

High

5,779' 1,761 m

Low

829' 253 m

Up

1,073' 327 m

Down

2%

Avg Grade (1°)

12%

Max Grade (7°)

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Allowed

Overview

Emigrant can be one of the first trails to shed the winter snow, so it makes a good early season warm-up. It's also a great longer ride that beginners and intermediates can tackle.

Need to Know

This may be Truckee's most popular trail. It's used by dog walkers, flower-peepers, and bikers of all abilities. Cut other users some slack, and don't ride like you're the only one here. Uphill riders get the right-of-way, even if you're crushing the KOM (on the area's easiest trail, Punter). Seriously, don't be a jerk: leave the Strava at home for this one.

Often described as "easy," that's probably because -- unlike most Truckee and Tahoe area trails -- no matter where you jump into it, Emigrant doesn't start with an hour of climbing right out of the car. But riders of all abilities can be found here because there's really something for everyone: lots of smooth rolling singletrack, short but punchy climbs, swoopy turns and drops to practice not braking, log ride-overs and rails here and there, as much distance as you can handle, lovely meadows, forest, and a lake at the far end. Choose one of many parking areas and ride the segment(s) that match your available time and energy.

Description

There are several options to start this ride. Many folks will start at the Donner Camp Picnic Site (insert joke here) off 89 just north of Truckee. Options exist to start off Alder Creek Road or Shussing Way for some fun downhill-trending singletrack before crossing 89 to get to the Donner Camp parking lot. These sections of the ride also provide access into the extensive Tahoe-Donner trail system: 60 miles of trails across 3,500 acres.

From Donner Camp, the singletrack heads generally north, paralleling the highway on a fun, sinuous line. Late in the season, you may be able to cross Prosser Creek at the Prosser Creek Ford , but it's best to ride to the 89 and over a short road bridge. Then you'll head southeast, parallel the north side of the creek, and soon turn uphill to cross a dirt road. Follow the singletrack all the way to Stampede Reservoir. Along the way you'll cross a number of dirt roads and the occasional small paved one, but the main crossings are marked and the way across the minor ones are pretty obvious.

This is typically an out-and-back ride, all singletrack, with great meadow and long distance views. Although there are no prolonged climbs, there are no prolonged descents. You'll feel a great burn regardless of your ability, which should dictate your turn-around point.

Contacts

Local Club: Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association (TAMBA)

Jan 30, 2024: TAMBA Trail Legends: Fish Family

Shared By:

Dan Oakland with improvements by Jeremy Houtchens and 1 other
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 51 votes

#1

in Tahoe Donner

#324

Overall
  4.3 from 51 votes
5 Star
51%
4 Star
31%
3 Star
16%
2 Star
2%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Tahoe Donner

#41

in California

#324

Overall
43 Views Last Month
48,984 Since Jun 26, 2014
Intermediate Intermediate
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Photos

Emigrant Trail, Tahoe National Forest.
Jul 15, 2016 near Truckee, CA
Alder Creek showing off autumn colors just past the Hwy 89 bridge crossing.
Oct 23, 2016 near Truckee, CA
Emigrant Trail: 100% Singletrack, fast & flowy.
Sep 30, 2014 near Truckee, CA
This trail is also popular with hikers and runners especially on the weekends. Please remember who yields to who.
Jun 26, 2016 near Truckee, CA
High meadow along the Emigrant Trail.
Mar 29, 2015 near Truckee, CA
Meadows to forests with enough rock gardens thrown in to keep it interesting.
Jun 26, 2016 near Truckee, CA

6 Comments

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Check-Ins

Oct 13, 2024
Jeffrey Alpert
Absolute blast, mostly nontechnical trail. Good XC training. You can really rip this thing. Lots of fun corners, anything steep is short. Fun trail 22.6mi — 2h 00m
Sep 21, 2024
Anonymous
Aug 21, 2022
Daniel Trugman
Jul 24, 2022
michael adams
Jun 4, 2022
Rory Johnson
24mi
Jun 19, 2021
Tracey Loftus
Sep 4, 2020
Bill May
Aug 3, 2020
Michael Bishop
Ride with Owen 5.2mi — 59h 05m

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