Sierra Nevada Adventures for Families with Teens, Tahoe National Forest, California
Sierra Club Outings Trip | Lodge
Highlights
Includes
Overview
The Trip
Bond with your favorite teenagers as you share challenging experiences with other families that take you out into the wilderness. This trip is designed for teenagers with their parents, active grandparents, or aunts and uncles. On some days we will hike on parts of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and swim in cool mountain lakes. A highlight will be kayaking on Lake Tahoe near Emerald Bay with qualified guides, who will provide basic instruction before our paddle begins. See why Mark Twain dubbed Lake Tahoe “the fairest picture the whole earth affords.” All equipment is furnished by the kayak company and is suitable for beginners. On another day, we will take a tram up to Squaw Valley and hike to Squaw Peak, followed by a refreshing swim at High Camp’s pool
The Trip
Bond with your favorite teenagers as you share challenging experiences with other families that take you out into the wilderness. This trip is designed for teenagers with their parents, active grandparents, or aunts and uncles. On some days we will hike on parts of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and swim in cool mountain lakes. A highlight will be kayaking on Lake Tahoe near Emerald Bay with qualified guides, who will provide basic instruction before our paddle begins. See why Mark Twain dubbed Lake Tahoe “the fairest picture the whole earth affords.” All equipment is furnished by the kayak company and is suitable for beginners. On another day, we will take a tram up to Squaw Valley and hike to Squaw Peak, followed by a refreshing swim at High Camp’s pool.
After our kayaking on Lake Tahoe and hiking the PCT or High Camp trails, there will be time to explore the historic old town of Truckee or discover more of what Squaw Valley has to offer before dinner at the lodge. Evening activities include a short hike to view some of the area’s ancient petroglyphs and 19th-century railroad tunnels while learning more of the area’s fascinating history. On another evening, we will learn about geocaching, a popular outdoor treasure-hunting activity that uses a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver to hide and seek containers (called "geocaches" or “caches”) anywhere in the world. The lodge also has a spacious living room that is great for socializing with other guests or playing cards or board games. To round out the week, we hope to include at least one campfire in the lodge’s backyard, if fire conditions permit.
Join other families with teens for a fun-filled week of adventure. Relax and enjoy the beautiful Sierra Nevada mountains with those you love. It will be a lifetime experience for all.
Itinerary
Our trip will begin at 4:00 p.m. on day one with a get-acquainted orientation and social hour. Snacks and drinks will be provided. Dinner will be served at 6:00 p.m. in the dining room. After dinner we will do a short hike around the lodge grounds.
A typical day will begin by making our lunch at 7:30 a.m., followed by eating breakfast at 8:00 a.m. We will usually leave the lodge for our hikes or other activities between 9:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m
Our trip will begin at 4:00 p.m. on day one with a get-acquainted orientation and social hour. Snacks and drinks will be provided. Dinner will be served at 6:00 p.m. in the dining room. After dinner we will do a short hike around the lodge grounds.
A typical day will begin by making our lunch at 7:30 a.m., followed by eating breakfast at 8:00 a.m. We will usually leave the lodge for our hikes or other activities between 9:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.
Most of our trailheads are within a 15- to 20-minute ride from the lodge. All hikes will depend on weather conditions and accessibility. Some of the hikes we typically do are: Summit Lake (with an optional extension to Frogs Lake Overlook), local lakes off the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), Loch Leven Lakes, Donner Peak and Mt. Judah, Castle Peak, and the Five Lakes Trail. Here is a tentative itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive at Clair Tappaan Lodge. We’ll do a short evening hike around the lodge property.
Day 2: We'll hike to local lakes on sections of the Pacific Crest Trail near the lodge. There we’ll discover what geocaching is all about.
Day 3: Today we'll swim and kayak beautiful Lake Tahoe. We’ll also enjoy an evening Petroglyphs and History hike.
Day 4: We'll hike to Donner Peak and Mt. Judah, and swim at Donner Lake.
Day 5: Today we'll take a tram to Squaw Valley’s High Camp and hike to Squaw or Emigrant Peak, then swim at High Camp’s outdoor pool.
Day 6: We'll hike to Loch Leven Lakes. In the evening, we’ll have a family night around the campfire.
Day 7: We’ll meet after breakfast for final farewells.
Logistics
Getting There
Transportation to the lodge, trailheads, or other activities is the responsibility of each participant. Leaders will provide a trip roster of all participants before the trip to aid in sharing of rides. Clair Tappaan is a 45-minute drive west of Reno and a 1.5-hour drive east of Sacramento, just off of Interstate 80. The address is 19940 Donner Pass Road in Norden.
From eastbound I-80, take the exit for Soda Springs/Norden (old U.S. 40) and go 2.4 miles east on Donner Pass Road. The lodge is at 19940 Donner Pass Road (old U.S. 40). Look for our sign slightly up the hill on your left. There is a loading/unloading area and then you move your vehicle to parking available on the right side of the road
Getting There
Transportation to the lodge, trailheads, or other activities is the responsibility of each participant. Leaders will provide a trip roster of all participants before the trip to aid in sharing of rides. Clair Tappaan is a 45-minute drive west of Reno and a 1.5-hour drive east of Sacramento, just off of Interstate 80. The address is 19940 Donner Pass Road in Norden.
From eastbound I-80, take the exit for Soda Springs/Norden (old U.S. 40) and go 2.4 miles east on Donner Pass Road. The lodge is at 19940 Donner Pass Road (old U.S. 40). Look for our sign slightly up the hill on your left. There is a loading/unloading area and then you move your vehicle to parking available on the right side of the road.
Please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until notified to do so by the trip leader.
Accommodations and Food
Clair Tappaan Lodge was built in 1934 by a dedicated group of Sierra Club volunteers. It was built as rustic retreat for hikers, skiers, and mountain climbers. The lodge is a charming place to begin exploring the riches of the Sierra Nevada. It is nestled on a hill in a pocket of mountains near Donner Summit at an elevation of 7,000 feet, which receives the highest average snowfall of the entire Sierra Nevada range, making the lodge a favorite with cross-country ski and snowshoe enthusiasts. The network of nearby trails offers miles of hiking and provides access to fishing streams, remote meadows, mountain peaks, and alpine lakes for swimming. The Pacific Crest Trail is only a mile away and can be reached right out the back door of the lodge. The lodge is on the edge of the Lake Tahoe Basin with Tahoe City only 25 miles away.
By calling the lodge directly at 530-426-3632, you can make reservations for extended stays before or after your outing. For your convenience, the website above also has a link to Google and Yahoo Maps for driving directions.
The lodge is an old building, constructed of wood and shingles and no smoking is allowed, either in the building or on the surrounding trails. A modern sprinkling system and smoke alarm system have been installed to assure that everyone has a safe stay at the lodge.
Trip Difficulty
The trip involves hiking at altitudes between 6,000 and 9,000 feet. The hikes are moderate and range from five to seven miles with elevation gains up to 1,800 feet. Though the average daily mileage is low, hiking in altitude provides you with a good workout. You must be able to hike over rocky, uneven terrain comfortably. We average between 2 and 2.5 miles per hour, allowing for pictures and water breaks. You owe it to yourself and the group to come prepared for the hikes. If you have questions about the activity level, please contact the leaders.
The kayaking and Squaw Valley companies will request that we sign an additional liability waiver for these activities. Both activities are suited for beginners, but it is recommended that everyone know how to swim. If you are a non-swimmer, please inform the leader prior to the trip.
Equipment and Clothing
Bring a sleeping bag or bedding, toiletries, towels, swimsuit, and hiking boots that are well tested and proven to be comfortable. Hiking shoes or boots must have adequate tread to grip the rocky terrain. Be prepared for warm days and cool evenings. There may be afternoon rain, so pack rain gear (heavy duty ponchos are acceptable). Also bring a hat, daypack, water bottles or hydration system, and a flashlight for each person. A detailed list will be sent prior to the trip date.
References
- Farquhar, Francis, History of the Sierra Nevada.
- Sorer, Tracy I., Sierra Nevada Natural History.
- Storer and Usinger, Natural History of the Sierra Nevada.
- Gilligan, David, The Secret Sierra.
- Muir, John, My First Summer in the Sierra.
- Blackwell, Laird R., Wildflowers of the Tahoe Sierra.
Conservation
The Tahoe Donner area is very attractive for summer hikers, winter skiers, and other forms of recreational use. There are many examples of good conservation practices and overuse of the area, which we will both witness and discuss. Ways that we as individuals can become good conservationists in our own local areas and homes will also be examined. Since any traveling leaves a carbon footprint, Sierra Club offers information about carbon offsets at the following web link: http://content.sierraclub.org/outings/national/carbon-offsets
Sierra Club National Outings is an equal-opportunity provider and will operate under a permit from Tahoe National Forest.
Staff
Important Notes
- Carbon Offsets
- Carpooling
- Electronic Billing and Forms
- Electronic Devices
- Equipment
- Essential Eligibility Criteria
- How to Apply for a Trip
- Leader Gratuities
- Medical Issues
- Non-discrimination Statement
- Participant Agreement
- Seller of Travel Disclosure
- Single Supplements
- Terms and Conditions
- Travel Insurance
- Trip Feedback
- Trip Price
- Wilderness Manners