Tahoe Sierra Backpacking

Tahoe Sierra Backpacking Itinerary:

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• Day 1 Meet your group and guides at the trailhead in the Tahoe National Forest before setting off for your adventure in the Sierra Nevada, and our campsite near an idyllic creek.

  Your trip begins today in Eagle Lakes, California, one mile west of Cisco Grove on Interstate Hwy 80. Arrive at the trailhead at 12:00pm (please eat lunch before you arrive, and come prepared with full water bottles or hydration system), your guides will be waiting to greet you and the rest of the group. After a brief orientation, pack check, and equitable gear distribution (expect to add between 5 and 10 pounds of group gear and food) we'll hit the trail. We'll hike through old growth forests and across rocky outcrops with expansive views of the Sierra Nevada on the way to our creekside campsite, where we'll stay for three nights. Dinner provided.

  Hiking distance: 3.5 miles, elevation gain 400'.

• Day 2 Heading out with only daypacks, we’ll explore mountain lakes and granite domes today with our enthusiastic, knowledgeable guides.

  A hearty camp breakfast starts off the day. After packing a lunch, we'll hike with our day packs to secluded Beyer's Lakes, perched at 6856' on a granite bench with a view of Old Man Mountain (7,789'), a granite peak reminiscent of Half Dome in Yosemite. We'll keep our eyes open for wildlife (yellow-bellied marmots, pikas, Clark's Nutcrackers) and take in the fresh air under the sapphire blue Sierra sky. There will be time for a swim in the lake's crystal clear water before our return to camp, downhill all the way! All meals provided.

  Hiking distance: 8 miles, elevation gain 1,700'.

• Day 3 The Fordyce Creek basin awaits us as we meander on seldom-used trails, keeping a sharp eye out for the perfect swimming hole.

  Today, again with our day packs, we'll hike along a seldom-used trail that meanders through old growth forests and out into the wide open granite country of Fordyce Creek Basin. We'll follow the cascading waters of Fordyce Creek to a series of waterfalls and deep pools, stopping to identify the many wildflowers we'll encounter along the way. After lunch we'll have some time to relax and perhaps swim before returning to our backcountry camp for dinner and s'mores by the campfire. All meals provided.

  Hiking distance: 6 miles, elevation gain 400'.

• Day 4 One more delicious backcountry breakfast before we break camp and follow a different route back to our trailhead.

  Our exit hike this morning follows a different route than our first day's hike in, leading us along a hidden trail through dark fir and cedar forests carpeted with ferns. Although we'll put our heavier backpacks back on, they'll be considerably lighter than on day one. Depart Eagle Lakes campsite for home by 3 p.m. Breakfast and lunch provided.

  Hiking distance: 4 miles, elevation loss 400'.

Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control including weather and terrain conditions. This trip is operated rain or shine. 

Contact REI Adventures prior to purchasing your airline tickets to confirm that the trip has the minimum number of participants required to operate.

Professional instruction and guiding; three nights tent camping at primitive backcountry campsite in 2-person tents; meals as noted in the daily itinerary; campsite and permit fees.

Transportation from your hometown to group meeting point; insurance of any kind; alcoholic beverages; guide gratuities and items of a personal nature. Participants over the age of 21 may bring alcoholic beverages of choice in suitable backpacking containers, no glass please.

Sacramento California, 90 miles, 1.75 hrs; or Reno Nevada, 61 miles, 1.25 hrs.

There is no reliable transfer service from any airport to our meeting place.  Anticipate renting a car if flying in for this weekend getaway.

This trip is rated Moderate Plus [3-4].  Participants will be carrying their own backpacks (weighing 30-35 pounds) for distances of 3.5 - 4 miles on days 1 and 4. Only a daypack is required on days 2 and 3, but we will be hiking 6-8 miles on those days with elevation changes between 400 and 1,700 feet. We will be traveling at an altitude between 5,500 and 6,900 feet where the thinner air can have an effect on your performance. To maximize your enjoyment of the trip, we strongly encourage participants to be involved in a training regimen before the trip. Of paramount importance to your enjoyment of the trip is your overall fitness level.

Daytime temperatures usually range between 60-80°F, with evening temperatures dropping to the 40s and 50s. Early- or late-season trips will experience a wider range of temperatures. Thunderstorms are a possibility at any time in the mountains, making adequate raingear a necessity.

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Weekend Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and detailed pre-trip information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased at the time of your initial reservation, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

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