Difficulty | 1-2 Beginner or beginner-intermediate |
Length | Up to 4.0 miles round trip |
Starting Elevation |
6200 feet |
Cumulative Elevation Change |
Up to +300, -300 round trip |
Navigation | Road and map |
Time | Several hours |
Season | Late December through March |
Snowmobiles Use | Not permitted [Please report illegal use of snowmobiles in this area.] |
USGS Topo | 7.5' series, Meeks Bay, Homewood |
Start | Meeks Bay on Highway 89 11.0 miles south of the bridge in Tahoe City and 16.1 miles north of the intersection of highways 50 and 89 in South Lake Tahoe. |
Meeks Creek is located in a heavily wooded valley through which you travel on a level and easy-to-follow road. This protected area is an excellent location to ski during a storm.
The tour begins at the building on the west side of the highway and on the north side of Meeks Creek, and follows the adjacent road. This road is also the beginning of the well-known Tahoe to Yosemite Trail.
Mileage Log
Numbers in parentheses
correspond to mileage points on map
Waypoint 1 to 2
Miles: 0.0 - 1.5
Elevation change: +100 feet
From the trailhead (1) ski southwest on the road for 1.5 miles until you reach the location where the road starts to climb (2). Beginner skiers may choose to stop here or at the abandoned cabin just ahead.
Waypoint 2 to 3
Miles: 1.5 - 2.0
Elevation change: +150, -50 feet
Ski south on the road for 0.5 mile until you reach the end of the valley (3). Be aware that the cabins shown on the map have been removed.
Return to trailhead
Miles: 2.0 - 4.0
Elevation change: +50, -250 feet
Retrace the route for 4.0 miles back to the trailhead (1).