South Lake Tahoe – Find The Drainages

The City of South Lake Tahoe has spots of planted dogwood and aspen near downtown businesses and hotels, and in its residential  neighborhoods, but to see spectacular stands of native aspen, cottonwood and bigleaf maple, you have to head out of town and search for  drainages.

On the west side of SLT, CA-89 winds north toward Emerald Bay and continues eventually to Tahoe City. Pockets of fall color can be seen all along the route, but if you look for creeks and streams on your nav or map, you’re likely to find ribbons of bright color climbing up into the Sierra Nevada.

Taylor Creek and the road to the Tallac Trailhead are two of them, not far from South Lake Tahoe. They’re not far from SLT by car or bike.

A paved bike path runs from Stateline to Taylor Creek, and bikes can be rented in SLT, just after the “Y.”

Don’t expect to see much color along the path until you reach Taylor Creek, as the pine forest has almost none. There’s a little color beside the Camp Richardson Hotel, but otherwise the route is pretty brown, as it’s in the drainages where the best fall color is found.

 

 

At Taylor Creek, a hiking trail winds beside the creek, with vine maple and aspen lighting it. Parking is at the trailhead and at turnouts along CA-89.

The road to Tallac Trailhead crosses a winding band of brilliant yellow aspen, at several points. There are narrow shoulders at points at which to pull your vehicle to the side, so that you can get out and explore the aspen.

South Lake Tahoe (6,237′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!