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Suggestions for 2-day Lake Tahoe trip

1flyingyogi

Well Known Member
My wife and I will be attending a graduation in Stockton next week and thought it'd be nice to fly to Lake Tahoe afterwards to do some hiking, looking around, enjoying some nice restaurants, etc. We've never been there before. Any tips or advice?
 
Assuming you mean South Lake Tahoe (KTVL) (other option is Truckee):
1. An RV shouldn’t have any trouble this time of year. But if you need to takeoff to the south and climbing high enough to turn left crosswind is an issue, turn slightly west and circle over the golf course. Remember to lean for best power on takeoff. Watch CHT’s. Remember to use the same indicated airspeeds for approach, and takeoff rotation, as you do back home. It will look faster because the TAS is faster. Vy will be slower than back home.
2. Noise abatement departing north: follow the obvious no-houses route almost straight out to the lake. Climb over the lake to 8500’ before turning SW to follow US 50 back to the Central Valley.
3. Reserve a rental car, although there are taxi’s. On a Sunday late afternoon or evening traffic will be bad westbound, it can take quite a while for a taxi to arrive at KTVL.
4. If hiking above 8,000’ be prepared to encounter snow on the trails. Maybe a little, maybe a lot.
5. The CA-NV state line runs right thru S Tahoe. Gambling only on NV side.
6. Airport restaurant is not great, but not bad either.
Edit added. If IFR use caution. MEAs around 12,000’. Few options if you pick up some ice. You need good (3 mile) visibility, or more, for the ifr approaches into TVL.
 
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I am going to assume you mean KTVL, two days, one night, and want more nature than tourism. Shoulder season at the lake, but that is to your advantage.

Arrange the rental car at the airport, arrive in the morning. Stop somewhere and get at least a twelve pack (or the eco-friendly equivalent) of water bottles. Drink one every two hours. Drive up to Emerald Bay. Park and do the Eagle Falls hike. If you want to hike more, go to Eagle Lake (bring two water bottles per person with you). Google for details, or use my preferred hiking app: Hiking Project from REI. As previously mentioned, snow can be an issue, still, so I would suggest boots vice athletic shoes for hiking next week, just to be safe and comfortable.

Ready to eat after that for sure. Go to the Red Hut. Great for breakfast and lunch, decent brews available as well. Or, if you are just a brew type for lunch, South Lake Brewing Company. Go check in to your accommodations. Nap (I would!).

Wander around Heavenly Village if you want the tourist deal. Lots of kitschy but interesting shops.

If you want an early dinner, hit the Chart House for happy hour. Great views, but get there right at 4 to get a seat in the room with the views.

Best fine dining IMHO is Edgewood, also excellent views, make a reservation now.

Several good dinner spots in Heavenly Village at a lesser price point, we tend towards Base Camp Pizza, Azul, and Kalani's, depending on our mood.

Harvey's used to be my favorite casino, if that is something you like, but nowadays they are all so intermixed it gets hard to tell them apart. Probably be less than vibrant wherever you go, sholder season and all.

Use the rental car to go driving around some more of the lake, just be mindful there is a lot of construction these days. NV 511 for info.

Hope that helps or at least gives you plans to deviate from, PM or Email if you have any more questions. I hope to be up there myself next week, tearing a fireplace out of our place and installing a gas stove.
 
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Breakfast and hiking

Heidi?s for breakfast! Tons of hiking, you really can?t go wrong anywhere around the lake 👍🏼
Enjoy the trip!
 
Great suggestions everyone. Thanks! We've been to Mammoth, Big Bear many times so I know what to expect in regards to high density altitude. It's not really an issue with an RV. You just have to roll a bit longer before take off. :)

Mike S., how common and how bad is the afternoon convective activity? Our plan is to arrive at TVL around 1500.
 
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Brian, it mostly depends on how hot the day gets.

We are starting to see buildup now and then, later in the day.

1500 is most likely going to be bumpy, but how severe is something I cant predict.

Maybe one of the folks based at KTVL will jump in with better info.

As you are familiar with Mammoth and Big Bear, you probably will feel right at home;)
 
Caution Glider Traffic

Everyone has captured everything well with the exception of the glider traffic in the area. Mostly from around Truckee but from down in Minden as well.
Great suggestions everyone. Thanks! We've been to Mammoth, Big Bear many times so I know what to expect in regards to high density altitude. It's not really an issue with an RV. You just have to roll a bit longer before take off. :)

Mike S., how common and how bad is the afternoon convective activity? Our plan is to arrive at TVL around 1500.
 
Our personal rule of thumb in flying around here (Tahoe and western Nevada) is that if you’re just going for fun, be home by 1100, cause it gets bumpy and gusty after that. If you’re traveling and willing to take the bumps, leave anytime, but cinch the straps down tight. This morning was pretty smooth and relatively calm, and I flew two different airplanes - then while I was fueling about 10:00 at Carson, the wind all of a sudden came slapping across the ramp. A bit bumpy on the very short trip home, and gusty since then. Typical day.
 
There's some great hiking trails in the Desolation Wilderness just south of Lake Tahoe. You need a wilderness permit if going more than a short hike from the trail heads.
The trailhead parking by Emerald Bay tends to fill up very early, especially at weekends, but the short hike up to Eagle Lake is very nice.

Head down the 50 a short way to Echo Lake and their is a good trail by the lakes and you can arrange to get a return boat ride or head out further to see some Bristlecone pines.
 
And snow!

FYI. There's still lots of snow in elevations just above and away from the lake, so hiking may be challenging up high. I flew over TVL this morning and certainly no issues at airport level.
 
Thanks for all the great suggestions. Looks like we'll have to do Lake Tahoe another time. Weather forecast doesn't look good this weekend. Even Stockton weather looks iffy right now, which means we may have to DRIVE - what a horrible thought! I haven't driven anywhere more than 45 minutes since I became a pilot. :D
 
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