Child friendly hikes

I have some friends comming to visit this summer with a child who will be about 1 while they are here. I am local, but I have never gone hiking with such a young child. They would really like to do some hiking and fishing, and would like to be able to bring the little one. We will be on the South Shore, but have no objections to traveling around the lake. Any ideas? Thanks in advance!

Child friendly hikes

Are you looking for places to hike with the 1 year old in a carrier but a hike that’s not too strenuous, treacherous or that would risk a fall or injury for the person doing the carrying? If so, I would do both the Moraine and Angora trails.

The Moraine Trail, which is a fairly easy hike of 1 mile (one-way). It’s a relatively flat trail through the forest and along the shore of Fallen Leaf Lake. Take Highway 89 north approximately 3 miles from South Lake Tahoe to Fallen Leaf Road. Continue approximately 2/3 of a mile to Fallen Leaf Campground. Drive through the campground and park just before campsite #75 on the right. There is no fee for day use. Look for the trailhead sign near the parking area.

Another hike is Angora Lakes, though the area south of the lake was affected by the fire you should be able to hike to the lake and still see the beautiful area. It is an easy hike, and hikers are rewarded with several lakes. I know in the summer you can rent rowboats or just swim and lay around on the sandy beach but in September it’s still worth a look. It’s only ½ mile and the scenery when you get there is great. The lake is surrounded by cliffs and giant rocks. Take Highway 89 north approximately 3 miles from South Lake Tahoe to Fallen Leaf Lake Road and turn left. Turn left at the first paved road. Continue to Forest Service Road 12N14 and turn right. Watch for bicyclists along this road. Continue past Angora Lookout to the road%26#39;s end at the parking lot.

DL Bliss –There is a trail you can take that provides views that can not be seen from the road. The trail will eventually get you back to Emerald Bay but you don’t have to walk it all. You can do part of it and then go back to Bliss.

Old Fire Lookout not really much of a hike - When you arrive at the state line, you can take a brief detour to see the old fire lookout. Turn north on Reservoir Road, which is next to the Biltmore. Then turn right onto Lakeview Ave. Continue on this road, if it forks stay left and do not turn onto Tuscarora. It will bend back before you reach the parking area for the short walk to the lookout. The lookout provides you with really beautiful views of the area and lake.

Easy 1.5 miles one way on the east side: Prey Meadows / Skunk Harbor. SR 28 Park in one of the turnouts along the highway and do not block the iron bar gate on the west side of the lake. This is a great walk through a mixed conifer forest with filtered views of Lake Tahoe along the way. When you reach a fork in the road, you have two options. The left fork leads to Prey Meadows which is blanketed with many varieties of wildflowers in the spring. The right fork leads you to Skunk Harbor, a small picturesque cove which offers great swimming and sunbathing in the summer. We go to Skunk Harbor by boat during the summer and it’s a nice little spot.

Or are you looking for a place that can handle the 4 WD strollers?

One that comes to mind is steep but a nice payoff. Vinkingsholm. Trail starts at the parking area on the north side of Emerald Bay, on Highway 89. It%26#39;s a wide, well-maintained trail, but fairly steep, about 2½ miles round trip. At the bottom of the trail is a picnic area, nice dock lots of shade and the castle. Watching the boats come and go and the kids jumping off the deck is a full afternoon of entertainment.

Not exactly at the lake but in the Donner area is the Glacier Meadow Loop which is a short nature trail that begins and ends at the Eastbound I-80 rest stop on Donner Summit. It’s not really a hike but more of a relaxing walk self-guided tour with signs along the trail explaining how glacial action carved and polished the area.

Sugar Pine Point State Park trails, The entrance station ranger can get you maps of the many trails located here. The park charges a parking fee for day use. While you%26#39;re there, maybe there want to check out the Hellman Ehrman Mansion.

Or will the tot be walking?

The Tallac site: The trail begins from the Kiva Picnic Area and is accessible to persons with disabilities so it’s kinda safe for both walking and strollering. The site can also be reached from the Lake of the Sky Trail that begins at the Lake Tahoe Visitor Center.

I probably haven’t given you anything you don%26#39;t already know about.

Child friendly hikes

Thanks suzie! Yeah, I thought about many of those, but you reminded me of a few others. Much appreciated. I am not sure if the little one will be walking, but even if he is, it probably will not be for the whole time. Thanks again!

I would also love to show some support for Spooner Lake. My lil guy is 1 and 1/2 and Spooner is one of my favorite spots. I%26#39;ve done this hike with the jog stroller and with the back pack.

I didnt even think about Spooner! Thanks a bunch.

A one year old will definitely not be hiking, lol. My 2.5 year old is just starting to walk himself to Fallen Leaf lake and some of the other places mentioned. One of my kids favorites is the ';fish walk'; as we call it but it is the forest service trail that goes to the stream profile chamber. It is just past Camp Richardson on the way to Emerald Bay. You can take a regular stroller because it is paved but the tot can get out and walk on the bridges and look at the fish in the stream profile chamber. The kids love this! Another fun addition to this trip is to take the Nifty Fifty trolley in the summer. You can pick it up at Miller%26#39;s Outpost at the ';Y'; and ride it to the Forest service lot where the ';fish walk'; begins. This is also a big hit with the kids. They love the trolley!

Alice

The ';fish walk'; is the only one we did with our 3 year old grandchild last summer. Before that, it was the stroller. Have done the Old Fire Lookout. Maybe something more adventurous this summer when she is 4. Spooner Lake is nearby, sounds good.