The Unofficial Alpine Meadows Ski Report

The Unofficial Alpine Meadows Ski Report
Produced by Andy Wertheim
Tahoe/Truckee Realtor
email: andyw@sierra.net
Our real estate website: www.tahoeriverfrontrealty.com

Hello friends,
The heat is on in Tahoe. It is not really hot, but it is definitely beach weather. The lake is just about full and the gates at the dam are opening up more each day. The Truckee is running at 500 cfs, which means the raft ride from Tahoe City will not take very long. Flower are blooming in all colors below 7000 feet with more opening up each day. There is little wind on the lake, so kayaking should be excellent, especially in the mornings. I rode my mountain bike from Alpine Meadows to Page Meadows this morning and then down to Tahoe City. There is no snow on the dry fire road or trial around the north side of the meadows. I would not try riding through the meadows, as they are still wet. I only encountered one tree lying across the road, but I did find rutted areas from last winter’s rains. There are loose rocks and ruts, especially riding up the dirt road from the end of Snow Crest Road in Alpine. A friend attempted to ride up to Lakeview Chair yesterday, but only made it part way before hitting enough snow to force him to turn around. The warm weather should melt the snow within the next week or so.
This is a lovely time of year to take a drive up Highway 89 through the Sierra Valley. You will find cows grazing in lush green grass in the valley. Take a drive from Sierraville up Highway 49 to Yuba Pass and on to Bassetts where you can turn onto the Gold Lakes Road and stop at any number of lakes along the way. Great dinners (reservations required) are available at the Sardine Lake Lodge where you look up at the impressive Sierra Butte. Gold Lake is large enough for your small boat or kayak and is a well used camping and fishing spot. Across the road from the turn off to Gold Lake is a dirt road that leads to Frazier Falls. This is a nice walk on a paved path for a good ½ mile, or perhaps more, to an overlook that showcases Frazier Falls, a large waterfall that is full this time of year. There are many more lakes in this area to visit, and plenty of great hikes to try. This is also the area where you begin the Downieville Downhill bike ride. You can continue on the Gold Lakes Road to Graeagle, where you will find a small town filled with cute shops and a couple of good golf courses, as well as a few nice dining spots.
Enjoy your day. Andy