The Unofficial Alpine Meadows Ski Report

Fantastic fall weather and slowly turning Aspen leaves are keeping us outdoors this week in Tahoe.

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

Hello friends,

Fantastic fall weather and slowly turning Aspen leaves are keeping us outdoors this week in Tahoe. Yesterday I tried to keep up with one of my friends riding the Tahoe Rim Trail from Tahoe Meadows along the Mt. Rose Highway to Marlette Lake, and then onto the Flume Trail. The cool air made for great riding conditions for this 23 mile ride. Trail conditions, with the exception of a few sections along the way where the ground is sandy, were pretty good yesterday. I dismounted a few too many times where granite rocks create steps between Tahoe Meadows and Tunnel Creek Road, and sucked oxygen too deeply into my lungs on the climb to Marlette Peak (lack of uphill conditioning), but the views of Marlette Lake, Lake Tahoe, and Washoe Lake on the east side of the range, made up for the pain. We did not stop often on this ride, but we did take in the view from the top of Marlette Peak and a spot along the way where Marlette Lake appears to be part of Lake Tahoe. This was the first time that I have seen people fishing in Marlette Lake in all the years that I have been riding the Flume Trail. We road around the west side of Marlette Lake after dropping down from Marlette Peak and hooked on to the Flume Trail. Tahoe lay below us as still as I can remember viewing it.

The Flume Trail should be ridden one more time this year, perhaps in a week or two when all the Aspens have turned color.

Enjoy your day. Andy

Posted by Andy Wertheim at 12:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Apples are ripe and hanging from various trees in the area

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

Hello friends,

Apples are ripe and hanging from various trees in the area. This is the time of year to think of a trip to the foothills near Placerville to pick apples at the various farms in the Apple Hill area. If your timing is right, and you know where to go, you can find a tree or two filled with apples in the Sierra Valley area. I was in the area a few days ago and came back with a nice bag full of apples.

Yesterday, after a couple of windy days, and a couple of days with smoke hanging in the air, we took our annual trip to the top of Mt. Tallac. We parked just passed the fire station at the west end of Fallen Leaf Lake walking to the Glen Alpine trailhead from the car. We park at this location because our route always involves a loop hike and this makes the return to the car after hiking 13 miles shorter. If you were hiking an out and back on the Glen Alpine Trail, then you might as well park at the trailhead. Other than a chilly wind that was blowing at our short stop on the shore of Gilmore Lake, the day was perfect. Cool air, not really cold at all, made hiking up the 3300 foot elevation gain to the top enjoyable and less stressful than at other times when the air has been hot. Very little wind was blowing as we sat for an extended lunch on the boulder filled top of Mt. Tallac, overlooking a very deep blue Lake Tahoe. Fallen Leaf, Cascade, Aloha, Gilmore, Heather, Middle Velma, and Fontanillis Lakes all were lying peacefully far below us. After lunch we hiked down to Fallen Leaf Lake ending at the north end of the Stanford Camp property. As usual the trail down is a rocky road that can make your feet sore, but the views are worth the agony. Orange, red, and yellow are the colors showing themselves these days we begin to move through the fall season.

Looking for an excellent price on a home in Alpine Meadows. I just listed a custom designed home in the lower valley of Alpine. This is a 3 bedroom plus loft home with 2 baths. Open beam cathedral ceilings, concrete hydronic heated floors, and stainless steel kitchen, are just some of the features of this home constructed in 2000. The house is approximately 2300 sq.ft. with plenty of paved parking and good winter access. You can ski through the backcountry from Lakeview Chair to the house or jump on your mountain bike and ride to Page Meadows from the front door. A warm outdoor spa is included in the price. Aggressively price at $799,000. The seller will also consider selling a ½ interest for $450,000.

Enjoy your day. Andy

Posted by Andy Wertheim at 09:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBacks (0)

The other day we ventured about an hour or so north

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

Hello friends,
The other day we ventured about an hour or so north of Tahoe to take advantage of perfect hiking weather in an effort to scale to the top of the Sierra Buttes Fire Lookout. This is about a 5 mile round trip hike with approximately 1600 feet of vertical gain, including the multiply strings of metal stairs leading to the glass lookout sitting atop the world. The view is inspiring to say the least. Standing on the catwalk looking northeast over Sardine Lake takes nerve, as there is nothing below you for a thousand feet or so. The trail is steep and cluttered with loose rocks and soil in certain areas, and gentle, or well graded in the shade of tall trees, in others areas. You can see many small lakes below as the trail winds along the ridge line between Packer Saddle (the start of the Downieville Downhill bike ride). You can find the trailhead for this hike by taking Hwy. 89 north of Truckee through Sierraville toward Quincy. Take Hwy. 49 where it leaves Hwy. 89 up and over Yuba Gap until you reach Gold Lakes Road or Bassetts Station. Turn right onto Gold Lakes Road and follow along this scenic road until you see a sign for Sardine Lake. Turn left toward Sardine Lake looking for a right turn leading to Packer Lake and Packer Saddle. Follow the road, narrow at times, up to Packer Saddle where you will see signs indicating the way to the Sierra Buttes Lookout. A portion of this trail merges with the Pacific Crest Trail.
After working up a sweat hiking to the Sierra Butte Lookout we drove north on Gold Lakes Road to Gold Lake. This is a good size lake that offers some lovely campsites on the south west shore line. We unloaded our kayaks at the boat ramp and took a short kayak tour of the choppy water (there was a pretty good breeze blowing). Having not gotten enough exercise by the time we completed kayaking, my small group decided to hike another few miles along the 4x4 road that follows Gold Lake’s shore line, and visit Little Gold Lake (a beautiful little lake that appears to be emerald in color). Little Gold Lake is about 1/4 mile south of the southwest corner of Gold Lake. Returning late in the afternoon to the car, with stomachs screaming for food, we decided to drive on to Graeagle, and then to Johnsville. Johnsville is a cute, but very small old mining town, where you will find the Iron Door Restaurant.
For all of you who have been asking about Dave Lane’s fall ski equipment sale, take note: THERE WILL BE A COMBINED SOFT AND HARD GOODS OUTDOOR EQUIPMENT SALE AT BOREAL RIDGE ON SEPT. 16 BETWEEN 10 AND 2 IN THE PARKING LOT. This is the fall sale that some of you have been looking for, so go to Boreal and get what you need for winter at great prices.
Enjoy your day. Andy

Posted by Andy Wertheim at 09:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (7) | TrackBacks (0)