Tahoe Rim Trail: Spooner Summit to South Camp Peak
Photos Maps Summary: This is a shortened version of the Spooner Summit to Kingsbury North hike. Like that hike, this one has some of the best views of Lake Tahoe possible from the ground. Include with the views an outstanding wildflower display in the summer and you've got a pretty good hike. Honestly, unless you want to walk every foot of the Tahoe Rim Trail or have some other reason to take the trail all the way to Kingsbury North, I would recommend doing this hike instead of the longer one. The trail south of the viewpoint is mostly in the trees and doesn't offer any more views and this way you don't have to have a second car or set up some sort of taxi from one trailhead to the other. From the beginning, the trail switchbacks upward through stands of conifers and across small meadows highlighted in spring & summer by the blooms of wildflowers. Nearby aspen trunks bear inscriptions carved long ago by lonely Basque Shepherds (and probably more recently also by hikers). A long traverse up the volcanic flanks of South Camp Peak (8866') leads to the highest point on the hike (8830') and a stunning view that reaches across the entire length of Lake Tahoe. For everything TRT you can visit the official website. Unfortunately, the map provided on that website for this section of the trail isn't high resolution. Also, their "Highest" elevation of "8010 ft" is incorrect (although they have the correct one in the description of the hike). The trailhead elevation seems correct (7,150').Distance: 9.8 miles round-tripElevation Gain/Loss: 1,885' totalSeason: June through October
Fees & Permits: None for dayhikers
Finding the Trailhead: 39.1034 N, 119.8954 W (Spooner Summit to Kingsbury North Trailhead). To get to the Spooner Summit trailhead, travel west on US-50 from the US-395/50 intersection south of Carson City for ~9.0 miles and turn left into the parking area. The trail starts at the southern end of the parking area. To get to the Kingsbury North trailhead (38.9964 N, 119.8967 W), follow NV-207 (Kingsbury Grade) east from the intersection with US-50 just north of Stateline for ~2.8 miles. Turn left onto N Benjamin Drive (which turns into Andria Drive) and follow the road for ~1.9 miles to the parking area. The trail comes in from the west side.
The Hike: Starting from the Spooner Summit TRT parking lot off of US-50 you immediately begin climbing. During this first section of climbing is when I came across much of the more concentrated sets of purple Penstemon (as well as many other flowers). Also during this section is when you're most likely to come across other hikers (most only venturing a few miles before turning back). After ~2.15 miles the trail intersects with the Forest Service Rd 14N328. At ~3.0 miles from the trailhead there is a side-trail to the left that leads to a viewpoint to the east. About 0.3 miles beyond this the trail intersects with the Genoa Peak Rd. After this the trail offers some nice views of Lake Tahoe before it continues to climb towards the bench of South Camp Peak. After ~4.8 miles you reach the northern end of this bench which offers spectacular panoramic views of Lake Tahoe and the surroundings. Be sure to bring a windbreaker as it can get gusty on the exposed bench. Also be sure to view Emerald Bay and Fallen Leaf Lake with the Crystal Range beyond to the SW. When we did this hike we continued only ~0.1 miles after reaching the viewpoint.
