Truckee, CA: Lake Tahoe Chapter: Rifle Peak Hike

Jun 29, 2022 9:00AM—3:00PM

Location

Meet at the intersection of CA 267 and Martis Peak Road (FireRoad 16N925), about 0.5 miles on the Truckee side of the Brockway summit. We will park some cars here and carpool to the TRT trailhead 3.5 miles up Martis Peak Road. Heads up: Martis Peak Road is paved but has many deep potholes in the first mile. The road runs generally east and climbs. At about the 3.5-mile point there is a sharp left turn that headsto a CA Fire lookout tower. We will park here at the sharp turn in available spots. The TRT is accessed here a short distance away.

Cost None

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Categories

We will start on the Tahoe Rim Trail (TRT) at elevation 8300 headed East toward the Mount Rose Wilderness. After about 1 mile of rolling hills, we will start climbing, reaching 9000 feet just before the 3-mile point. Along the way we will have brief views of the California side including NorthStar, Donner Lake and Prosser Creek Reservoir. Mt. Baldy (el 9271) will be on our left at 3.1 miles. We may be able to see the upper half of Lassen Peak (el 10,460) at a distance of about 120 miles if there is no haze. (There will be an option to return from Baldy.) From Baldy, the grade continues up, and we will break out above the tree line to spectacular views of the entire expanse of Lake Tahoe to the south. At 4.2 miles we will be at an elevation of 9300 feet. Rifle Peak (el 9490) will be ahead on our left. There will be an option to summit Rifle Peak for those inclined. We will then head back down to the beginning trailhead. Miles 3 – 6 will be above 9000 feet. Bring a lunch and plenty of water.