Hiking Project Logo

The family-friendliest trail in South Lake Tahoe.


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

3.8

Miles

6.1

KM

Point to Point

6,293' 1,918 m

High

6,238' 1,901 m

Low

112' 34 m

Up

90' 27 m

Down

1%

Avg Grade (1°)

4%

Max Grade (2°)

Dogs Unknown

Family Friendly An easy hike through classic Lake Tahoe forest with beaches and historic sites along the way.

Description

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.

Contacts

Shared By:

Bob Gardner

Trail Ratings

  3.3 from 3 votes

#27024

Overall
  3.3 from 3 votes
5 Star
33%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
33%
2 Star
33%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#2,814

in California

#27,024

Overall
2 Views Last Month
790 Since Jul 19, 2017
Easy Easy

100%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%

0 Comments

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Sep 4, 2019
Siera W
May 8, 2019
Caitlin P
Started at Anderson's Bike Rentals. Made small excursions. 7.4mi
Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.