Western Trips

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

The Tahoe Rim Trail / Western Hiking Adventures

One of the most scenic trails you'll have an opportunity to hike is located high up in the Sierra Nevada mountain chain leading you through both California and Nevada. Lake Tahoe is located northeast of Sacramento, California and south of Interstate 80 which connects Sacramento to Reno, Nevada.

tahoe rim trail
Tahoe Rim Trail

The Tahoe Rim Trail, completed in 2001, is a loop trail 164 miles in total length. This trail encircles beautiful Lake Tahoe on the California / Nevada border while passing through a National Forest, state parks and several wilderness areas.  The Tahoe Rim Trail offers spectacular views of shimmering Lake Tahoe and could be the finest breathtaking views you"ll ever experience on a hike. Done as a through-hike, the Tahoe Rim Trail can be a strenuous and difficult trek.

Tahoe's Hiking Season

Lake Tahoe is located high in the Sierras above 7,000 feet in elevation. Because of this the trail opens usually in mid-June, when the snow has melted off, and closes again in late October. Your window for hiking is essentially about four months per year. This through hike is best done in the summer and fall months. For early summer enough snow needs to have melted to make the trail passable.

western hiking trails
Hikers, Mountain Bikers, Equestrians

The Tahoe Rim Trail can accommodate the hiker, mountain biker and equestrian. The trail was designed during construction to not exceed an average grade of 10 percent. Mountain biking is allowed on about half of the trail. Horses and stock are allowed on all sections of the trail with the exception of the Tahoe Meadows Interpretive Trail and a section of the Mt. Rose Trail. The loop can be accessed from anywhere around the lake or surrounding communities. Most of the trail follows along the ridge tops offering views of nature at its finest. The mountain peaks around Lake Tahoe which the trail runs along is made from granite and you'll see a variety of Alpine forest trees.

Beautiful Views and Photo Opportunities

california hiking trailsGreat opportunities will be there for photo taking of wild flowers- golden yellow Mountain Mule Ears and firecracker red Indian Paintbrush. Rise past flowing mountain streams and don't forget to look out over the incredible Tahoe Basin in all its brilliance. Hundreds of small lakes are found at higher elevations above Lake Tahoe. The trail will take you under trees, through meadows or even above the tree line rising close to 11,000 feet at points. Be aware of bears since the trail does go straight through their country.

Triangular light blue trail markers planted along the trail help hikers find their way. Because of the relatively harsh winters the signs don't always last. You will want to be prepared with a map and compass. Camping areas  are found in some areas of the trail, while in other areas, like Desolation Wilderness, no designated camping areas are permitted.

The trail is a good one for hikers of all levels but note that done as a through-hike, the Tahoe Rim Trail can be a strenuous and difficult trek. The amount of days taken to hike the Tahoe Rim Trail depends on your pace. A 12 day trek assumes an average pace of 13.75 miles per day.

lake tahoe bike trails
Things to Know Before You Go

Campfire Permits are required, "for any individuals planning to use an open fire (such as a campfire), barbecue or portable stove on federally controlled lands and private lands that are the property of another person". The state of Nevada does not issue its own campfire permits, but does require individuals to carry a California Campfire Permit in the Nevada backcountry. You can obtain your California Campfire Permit online in as few as 10 minutes for FREE.

The trail is not open to any motorized vehicles. This includes any form of electric bike.

For those looking to do an overnight (or multiple day) backpacking trip through Desolation Wilderness, you will need an Overnight Camping Permit. Anyone looking to do a Thru Hike of the Tahoe Rim Trail can bypass the quota system and reserve their Overnight Camping Permit through the Forest Service Supervisor's Office. These permits can only be given out within two weeks of when you enter Desolation Wilderness.

You'll find more detailed information at...the  Tahoe Rim Trail web Site at TahoeRimTrail.org

(Article copyright Western Trips) 

Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Fun and Unique Arizona Travel Stops

Arizona is one of the best states in the U.S. to enjoy the wonders of the scenic desert southwest. If you have not traveled to the desert southwest. Whether it's the amazing Grand Canyon in the northern part of Arizona or the rugged desert in the southern part of the state, you'll find plenty of historic sites to explore and fantastic photo ops.

flagstaff hotels
Flagstaff historic hotel
There are areas of Arizona where you'll see the sun 300 or more days per year. It's one of the reasons many have relocated there and one of the reasons why Arizona is a tourists paradise. Many of these folks who have made the permanent move to the state will tell you that the weather was a big reason why they chose the desert. Arizona is also noted to be the winter residence for a great number of snowbirds from the upper midwest and Canada.

Below are some of the sites you will want to make sure to visit. This of course is not all there is to see in Arizona, but gives you a good sample of popular sites.
 

Northern Arizona

Many people consider Northern Arizona, namely the Grand Canyon and the gorgeous red rocks of Sedona, reason enough to consider this the Arizona wonders, but there's plenty more. The Grand Canyon is a must stop for anyone traveling through northern Arizona. It's a stunning piece of geography and if you haven't seen it as yet you've missed a unique adventure. The scenic trails along the southern rim, the park ranger programs, unique hotels and dining make the Grand Canyon an international destination. Williams, Arizona along Interstate 40 south of the Grand Canyon is where you can pick up the Grand Canyon Railway for a fun ride north to the canyon. Williams is a short drive west of Flagstaff.

sedona red rocks
Sedona, Arizona
Another fun stop in northern Arizona is Petrified Forest National Park. Petrified Forest National Park is an amazing area of scenic wonders and science. The park has two main areas... The southern portion of the park is home to one of the world's largest and most colorful concentrations of petrified wood, as well as natural log bridges and 225 million year old fossils.

The northern part of the park features the Painted Desert, the name given the multi-colored badlands of the Chinle Formation.

The scenery is amazing and it never seems to end. There is also a very famous historic route known as the Mother Road, more commonly referred to as Route 66. The longest existing portion of the old Route 66 is found in the northwest part of Arizona at Seligman which is worth the drive. 


Water Sports

If water sports are of interest to you, one of the more popular lakes is known as Lake Powell. You will find fishing, boating, and jet-skiing, just to name a few activities that are available to the lake's visitors. Lake Powell was formed by the Glen Canyon Dam in Page, Arizona. Lots of interesting exhibits and tours at the dam you won't want to miss.

Central Arizona 

The Phoenix metropolitan area is part of central Arizona and the largest in the state. Included in the greater Phoenix area is Scottsdale. Scottsdale, Arizona, a town with well over one hundred art galleries, a large variety of craft shops and a wide selection of restaurants is one of the most popular of all Arizona vacation destinations.

scottsdale attractions
Carriage rides in Old Town Scottsdale
Located in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona, the Desert Botanical Garden displays over 4,000 different species of desert plants with an emphasis on the Sonoran Desert. Also included is are 400 rare and endangered plant species. The Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix Arizona is the world's largest displaying plants and trees from many of the world's desert regions.

Check out additional Western Trips articles on the links below... 

Historic Benson Arizona

Fort Bowie Arizona 



Southern Arizona

Saguaro National Park, located west of Tucson, is both enchanting and mysterious. The lush desert floor is highlighted by stately Saguaro cactus and a great many smaller trees and shrubs.
Two year-round visitor centers offer museums, films, and helpful personnel and literature.

Catalina State Park sits at the base of the majestic Santa Catalina Mountains outside Tucson. The park is a haven for wildlife and desert plants including nearly 5,000 saguaros. The 5,500 acres of foothills, canyons and streams invites camping, hiking, horseback riding, picnicking and bird watching.


arizona horseback riding
Horseback riding is big in Arizona
In the far southeast part of Arizona near the Mexican border is the historic town of Bisbee. This is an old mining town that at one time was one of the largest communities between St. Louis and the west coast. Here you won't want to miss the Bisbee Mining & Historical Museum.  Located just down the road from Bisbee is the old west historic town of Tombstone. 

As mentioned above, there are scores of fun, scenic, educational and historic tourist venues in Arizona. The ones described in this article are just a small sample of what is awaiting for you in Arizona. Enjoy and explore the southwest with a fun Arizona adventure.

(Photos and article copyright Western Trips)