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Tour of Angora Ridge/Tahoe Mountain Loop

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 4.6 (36)
  1. Areas
  2. CA
  3. …High Sierra
  4. …Tahoe National Forest
  5. Fallen Leaf Lake
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“A loop ride highlighting some of the best trails and scenery in the Angora Ridge and Tahoe Mountain trail systems. ”

Jon Hart
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Map Key

12.4

Miles

20.0

KM

90%

Singletrack

7,258' 2,212 m

High

6,322' 1,927 m

Low

1,749' 533 m

Up

1,747' 533 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

20%

Max Grade (11°)

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Fallen Leaf Lake Road and Angora Ridge Road are closed in the winter (roughly Nov.–Apr.) until snow melts off in early summer.

Overview

Riders can expect excellent views on the ascent along the ridge line. Smooth, fast, flowy descent down Mule Deer Connector with a couple optional features. The ride ends with a second fast descent on the Tahoe Mt. Loop Trail to a nice, level cool down back to the car. There's also an optional three-mile round-trip detour out to Angora Lakes for swimming and lemonade in the middle of the ride.

Need to Know

Angora Lakes Resort is a nice stopping point halfway through the ride during the summer. Take the Upper Angora Ridge Trail to the parking lot, then ride up the 0.5 mile trail to the lakes on the south end of the parking lot. The upper lake offers lovely beaches, swimming, beautiful cascades, and the resort has famous ice cold lemonade and lemonade popsicles along with other treats. The resort also has bike racks to lock up your bike during your visit.

Description

Park at the start of Rock Garden Trail along Fallen Leaf Lake Road and be mindful of parking restrictions in certain pull-outs.

Pick up the trail just passed the forest service gate for road 12N19 on the right. A mellow ride up Rock Garden Trail ends on Tahoe Mountain Road. Turn left up the road and climb briefly to the start of Angora Ridge Trail on the right before the turn off to Angora Ridge Road.

An awesome singletrack climb on the spine of Angora Ridge leads up to meet with Angora Ridge Road. From here you have a few options:
  1. Turn right on the road and enjoy a break at the historic Angora Fire Lookout about 50 yards up the road.
  2. Pick up Upper Angora Ridge Trail directly across the road and going right to ride up to Angora Lakes for a great mid-ride swim and famous lemonade (3.0 mile round trip detour)
  3. Continue on your ride as mapped by picking up Mule Deer Connector across the road and going left for a smooth, fast, flowy descent with a couple optional log rides mixed in.


When you reach the junction with Gunmount Trail, turn left and ride down Forest Mountain Drive. Pick up Tahoe Mountain Trail straight across the road and ride up to the top of Tahoe Mountain. Once you've enjoyed the views from the top drop your seat again and continue on Tahoe Mountain Trail for a fast and fun descent. Turn left on Forest Road 12N19 at the bottom junction and take it all the way back to your car.

Enjoy a cold post ride beer at one of many great breweries in town such as South Lake Brewing or Lake Tahoe AleWorX, a short drive away at the Y in town.

History & Background

Passes by a historic fire lookout on Angora Ridge Road and the ride passes through a large portion of the devastating 2007 Angora Fire.

Contacts

Local Club: Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association (TAMBA)

Jan 30, 2024: TAMBA Trail Legends: Fish Family

Dec 11, 2023: TAMBA Trail Legends: John Clausen

Land Manager: USFS - Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit Office

Shared By:

Jon Hart with improvements by Man Doses and 4 others
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.6 from 36 votes

#1

in Fallen Leaf Lake

#441

Overall
  4.6 from 36 votes
5 Star
69%
4 Star
25%
3 Star
6%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Fallen Leaf Lake

#59

in California

#441

Overall
12 Views Last Month
12,601 Since Nov 12, 2017
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
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Photos

Riding up the North Side of Tahoe Mountain with Lake Tahoe in the backdrop.
Oct 19, 2017 near South L…, CA
The climb up Tahoe Mountain from the lake side features killer Tahoe views.
Nov 2, 2017 near South L…, CA
Great short film about the creation of this trail after the Angora Fire
Feb 15, 2022 near South L…, CA
The Upper Angora Ridge Trail with Fallen Leaf Lake and Lake Tahoe in the background.
Oct 19, 2017 near South L…, CA
Coming into the only rock garden on the lower portion of trail, rock stairs to exit
Jun 3, 2015 near South L…, CA
Leaving the rock garden in the light
Jun 3, 2015 near South L…, CA

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