Best Trails in South Lake Tahoe for Mountain Biking in April
Spring can be a tricky time for outdoor activities in Lake Tahoe. As the last few winter storms sweep through, combined with alternating days of warm and sunny weather, there are few guarantees about what level of snowpack you will see. Some days may be perfect for skiing and others for hiking.
But despite the changeable weather, April is often a great month for biking in Lake Tahoe. Water from snowmelt means beautiful rushing waterfalls. Warm temperatures will be turning meadows and trees bright green and you may see some early wildflowers. The extra moisture will also make trails easier to navigate on a mountain bike with slightly damp but not muddy ground. You will also have fewer other hikers and bikers to contend with before the summer season kicks off.
Still, finding the best mountain biking spots in South Lake Tahoe in April will require a bit of pre planning and luck with the weather forecast. You will want to find a trail that is dry enough to bike while still providing an enjoyable ride.
These are some of the top trails in the area that are often bikeable by April, and some tips on how to pick other early season trails to enjoy Lake Tahoe outdoors while you wait for the rest of the snow to melt.
Top Spring Biking Trails in Lake Tahoe
Biking opportunities in April will largely depend on the amount of snowfall over the past few months. A drier year could mean that trails are open as soon as March, but a year with more snow like we had this past 21-22 winter means that snow will take longer to melt and you may not be able to hit the trails until later in the season, even for the trails that are generally more accessible.
Trails that are lower in elevation, often those near the town of South Lake Tahoe and the lake itself, will often be passable earlier in the season. Some of the local favorite trails for mountain biking in South Lake Tahoe include:
Tahoe Mountain Trail - Located between South Lake Tahoe and Fallen Leaf Lake, the Tahoe Mountain Trail is an intermediate level trail that takes you along the west side of Tahoe Mountain. The trail is open all year and is generally clear of snow around April after the spring melt. The elevation tops out at 7000 feet which is also helpful for limiting snowfall.
Twisted Cedar Trail - This is an easy to intermediate trail located in the trail network directly south of South Lake Tahoe. While some of the trails at the higher elevations of this network may have more snowpack even later in the year, the Twisted Cedar trail has approximately 6800 feet elevation, so it is often usable earlier in the season. Other trails in this area that have similar elevation but offer rides for different skill levels include the beginner Railroad Grade Loop, difficult Cold Creek loop, and intermediate Sidewinder Corral Ride.
Spooner Lake - Trails around Spooner Lake, such as the section of Tahoe Rim Trail that runs from Spooner Lake to Stateline or the Flume Trail - both longer and more difficult rides - are at higher elevation but are west facing, so snow generally melts sooner along these trails.
Washoe Meadows State Park - For an easier ride, Washoe Meadows is at lower elevations, approximately 6300 feet, and tends to clear early. The meadows provide a beautiful spring ride around the park’s rapidly flowing creek.
Bike to Glen Alpine Falls - Consisting of upper and lower falls, Glen Alpine Falls flows into Fallen Leaf Lake from the south. The waterfalls will be extremely active in the early spring with recent snow melt. You can access Glen Alpine via the roads or many trailheads around Fallen Leaf Lake, with roads more likely to be clear even if there is snow elsewhere.
Lovers Leap Trail - Another option is to go south on Highway 5o to lower elevations still within the Tahoe area. Near Strawberry and Twin Bridges, you will find a variety of trails. Lovers Leap is a popular trail for experienced bikers at 2.8 miles and reaching 7000 feet in elevation.
Paved bike trails in South Lake Tahoe, such as the Pat Lowe Memorial Bike Trail and Pope Baldwin Bike Path, are also good options for April biking. These paths are located at relatively low elevations and the pavement will more quickly clear after any spring snowfall. These trails are also ideal for all skill levels.
Tips for Spring Biking in South Lake Tahoe
It is also possible to choose your own trails for mountain biking or e-biking in South Lake Tahoe. Some factors that you will want to keep in mind when planning your ride include:
Recent Snowfall - It can snow in the Sierras well into May, and it is not unusual to have a late storm in April. If there has been a recent storm, you should expect this snowfall will impact your route and you will need to wait a few days for snow to melt. A great way to track current snow levels is through the Sierra Avalanche Center, which provides reports throughout April about weather and snow conditions throughout the Lake Tahoe region.
Elevation- Lower elevations will almost always have less snow and it will melt more quickly than higher elevations during April. Planning trips closer to Lake Tahoe or heading down Highway 50 towards Sacramento will give you more options for biking in the area. Save the difficult, high elevation trails for later in the summer, preferably in July or later when any lingering snow is more likely to be gone.
Trail Orientation - Trails that face south and westward get more sunlight during the day for faster melting and will usually be clearer. Try to choose trails with western or southern exposure. Those with limited tree coverage will also generally have less snow and mud.
Creek Crossings - Even if there is no snow, heavy snow melt will create creeks and water features on the trail that can be dangerous to cross. Research current trail conditions, and remember that although you may have been on the trail in the past, many creeks are non existent in summertime, but fast flowing during April.
Check the Trailhead Gate - Accessing many bike trails around South Lake Tahoe requires passing through a trailhead gate. Before you depart, check the status of the gate at your chosen trailhead on either the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit or Eldorado National Forest websites to be sure you can access the trail.
While biking in April, you should also take certain precautions. Watch out for ice which can persist long after snow has melted. If any water crossings are more than a foot deep, turn back rather than risk either biking or hiking through them.
Additionally, make sure to stick to trails and stay out of meadows as the new growth tends to be very fragile and veering off trail can damage the beautiful Lake Tahoe environment.
Getting Your Bike for April Biking
Before you hit the trails in South Lake Tahoe this April, you will want to be sure you have the right bike for your adventures. Pine Nut Cycle Cafe opens for bike rental in April, offering high performance standard bikes, mountain bikes, and e-bikes for rent. Book your rental bike for either day-long or week-long adventures and pick it up at our bike store in South Lake Tahoe to give you quick access to all the surrounding trails.
We also have bikes for sale in Lake Tahoe and offer bike tune-ups in our bike shop if you need to get your bike ready for your spring and summer rides.
Whether you simply cannot wait to begin the summer outdoor season or you want to see an exciting new side of Lake Tahoe between the winter ski season and summer camping season, get your gear ready and rent a bike to experience South Lake Tahoe mountain biking this spring.
