Tahoe Rim Trail to Christmas Valley Trail

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E-Bikes Unknown

Head to the Big Meadow Campground on Hwy 89 (just past the intersection with S. Upper Truckee Road), a few miles south of Meyers at a big bend in the road. Coming from Meyers, park in one of many pullouts, then you'll pick up the Tahoe Rim Trail (TRT) on the right, across the street from the campground. There's a reasonable amount of climbing for some terrific singletrack downhill.

A shuttle would be nice, but not necessary. Some do the Christmas Trail as an out-and-back, but the TRT is probably a nicer climb and makes a good loop.

Pick up the TRT across the road from the Big Meadow Campground.

TRT starts rocky and technical but mellows out some after about half a mile. Continue up to the meadow, stay right at the trailhead, then climb for another mile or so. The trail eventually summits and begins some switchbacks with excellent alpine views. Follow this to an intersection for trails leading to the Lakes, do an out-and-back by going left on the Tahoe Rim Trail: Big Meadow - PCT to Round Lake (see Xmas Valley Epic), or take the trail to the right (Lk Valley) for the Christmas Valley Trail.

The Christmas Valley Trail is excellent - rocky at times, technical, but generally rideable with low consequences. It's well worth the climb and goes for quite a while. When you get out of the singletrack, it's a bit of a climb on the road back to the parking area.