Pope-Baldwin Bike Path

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Locally known as the Forest Bike Path, Camp Richardson Bike Path, South Shore Trail or 15th St. Bike Path (where it begins) the Pope-Baldwin designation, used by the U.S. Forest Service, refers to the beaches located near the opposite ends of the trail.

The trail begins at the western edge of the City of South Lake Tahoe near the intersection of Emerald Bay Road (Hwy 89) and 15th St. then runs parallel to Emerald Bay Road for nearly four miles. About a mile in, under a forest canopy, the trail crosses the Pope Beach access road and the historic Camp Richardson is a short distance further. The Tallac Historic Site can be reached on a branch path near Valhalla Rd or from Heritage Way at about mile two.

Just past the Heritage Way junction is the Taylor Creek Visitor Center with its stream profile chamber providing an underwater view of the stream channel. Although this would be a good turnaround point, especially with kids, the trail continues another mile or so to the junction with Baldwin Beach access road ending near the intersection of Emerald Bay Road and Spring Creek Rd.

Besides beach names, Pope and Baldwin were the wealthy turn-of-century families who built the lakeshore mansions that make up the Tallac Historic Site.

Fallen Leaf Lake can be reached on paved and dirt trails by crossing (carefully) Emerald Bay Road to the south. The whole area, including the trail, gets heavy use during the summer especially on weekends.