Summary:
A great ride on one of the less traveled sections of the Tahoe rim trail. 3,000+ feet of climbing with over 7 miles of singletrack descent! Rocks and classic "Rim Trail Stairs" will test your riding ability. Can be linked with Mr. Toad's Wild Ride for an awesome 12+ mile descent. Big travel bikes are worth the effort!
Ride Type: Loop
Technical Info:
| Distance: |
15.2 mi. |
Technical Difficulty: |
Moderate to Extreme |
Highest Point: |
9,407 ft. |
Aerobic Difficulty: |
Moderate |
Climbing Elevation: |
3,024 ft. |
Route Finding Difficulty: |
Easy to Moderate |
Descending Distance: |
7.44 mi. |
Riding Time: |
2 - 3 hours |
How to get there:
• From the Reno area take I-395 to route 88. (see cover map) Follow route 88 to Hope Valley. At the Hope Valley route 89 junction take a right towards Lake Tahoe. After the right travel 1.8 miles and park on the shoulder just around the big curve. The trail head will be a paved road leading away from Hope Valley.
• From the Tahoe area take US 50 to route 89. (see cover map) Traveling west on US 50 you will take a left onto route 89. Follow 89 over the summit for 9.27 miles. Look for a spot to park along the shoulder just before the big right hand curve leading to Hope Valley. The trail head will be a paved road leading away from Hope Valley.
Trail Map:
Trail Info:
0 mi. |
The trail head will be a paved road that quickly turns into a dirt road leading away from Hope Valley towards the mountains above. |
1.24 mi. |
Stay on the well traveled main road that veers to the left. |
1.79 mi. |
Continue straight on the well traveled main road. |
2.00 mi. |
Stay left on the main road away from the gated road. |
3.7 mi. |
After crossing a bride to a road junction, take the sharp left hand road across another bridge. |
3.96 mi. |
When the road splits, take the right hand fork. |
4.21 mi. |
Enter the singletrack where the road dead ends. The climb will cross a creek and become very technical turning into a hike a bike section. |
4.58 mi. |
You are now at Armstrong Pass. The Tahoe Rim Trail travels 6 miles to the right up to Star Lake. Turn Left onto the Rim Trail. |
5.00 mi. |
Continue straight on the Rim Trail. The trail to the right will take to Pioneer Trail, which is far from where you want to be! |
6.25 mi |
This is the highest point of the ride. There is also a little cave here that can be used as an emergency shelter. |
9.42 mi. |
You have reached the Saxon Creek (Mr. Toad’s) / Rim Trail junction. If you are combining Toad’s and Armstrong pass take a right down the Saxon creek trail, otherwise stay left on the Rim Trail. |
11.7 mi. |
Take a left at the sign that says “Grass Lake .6 mi (left), Big Meadows (straight)”. This trail will intersect route 89 in about .5 miles. Take a left on route 89 and pedal about 3 mile back to the car. |