Tahoe’s Indoor Adventures

TAHOE’S NDOOR ADVENTURES

BY KAYLA ANDERSON

It’s the shoulder season in the Tahoe Sierra, which undoubtedly brings bouts of inclement weather. It can be 30 degrees F and snowing one day and 70 degrees F and sunny the next. So even though Tahoe appeals to outdoor adventurers, sometimes you must play indoors. Here are some ideas for Tahoe adventures for all ages that are not weather dependent.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: The Bunker at Woodward Tahoe. | Tucker Norred, Boreal. Blue Granite Climbing Gym climbing wall. | Blue Granite Cimbing Gym. Indoor mini golf at Flatstick Pub | Flatstick Pub. Kayla Andrew tries her hand at axe throwing. | Josh Eisen. The newly renovated Bowl Incline. | Kayla Anderson .

“[Bowl Incline] is booming. Who knew that the bowling alley was the place to be on a Friday night?” — Tanya Soule

The Tahoe Sierra appeals to seasoned rock climbers for its classic crags such as Lover’s Leap and Big Chief, but climbing isn’t an ideal thing to do when it’s windy, rainy or snowing outside. Fortunately, a few local gyms offer climbers a place to practice their belays, bouldering, soloing and rappelling to keep one’s strength up until the weather cooperates again. High Altitude Fitness has two locations: a climbing wall in Incline Village, Nev. with 3,800 vertical feet and 80-plus climbs and a 12,000-sq.-ft. climbing gym in Truckee. | highaltitudefit.net Blue Granite Climbing Gym in South Lake Tahoe has a 7,500-sq.-ft. climbing playground with 22 top ropes, four auto belays and bouldering options. | bluegraniteclimbing.com Both offer memberships, day rates, lessons and accept climbers of all ages and abilities.

TRICKS & TUMBLES

Woodward Tahoe’s The Bunker at Boreal Mountain Resort is the perfect indoor playground for action sports enthusiasts, from gymnasts to parkour fans to aspiring pro snowboarders. Year-round people can practice tricks and land into large foam pits from the mega ramp, play on gymnastic and tumbling mats or cruise the concrete bowls and transitions, open to BMX racers, mountain bikers, skateboarders and scooters. A two-hour all-access pass includes access to its outdoor skateboard and bike parks until the first snowfall. | rideboreal.com

FEEL THE STOKE

The SkateHouse in South Lake Tahoe is a 40-foot-by-80-foot warehouse that contains a gigantic open wooden pool on top of a skate shop. The stoke is palpable when someone lands a new trick and is a popular local hangout spot. It’s open to the public Fridays through Sundays from 3 to 9 p.m.; be sure to call before you go. | @TheSkateHouseOfficial

AXE THROWING

Get rid of excess energy on the logs at Yosemite Axe Throwing in South Lake Tahoe. In July of 2021, owner Nate Hodges, who also owns axe throwing businesses in Mammoth, Big Bear and Yosemite, opened a spot here and handmilled all the log board targets within its 13 throwing lanes. Axes, or hatchets, really, come in three sizes and weigh 2 to 3 pounds; all who are age 8 and older can throw them. This is a fun activity for families and friends who can razz each other about their aim. | yosemiteaxe.com

A ROUND OF MINI GOLF

For those who are more comfortable keeping things on the ground rather than hurling them through the air, Flatstick Pub is a good place to go to play mini golf while keeping your thirst quenched. With the motto “Drink Local, Putt Tipsy,” Flatstick Pub’s values revolve around local fun, golf and community. Along with serving beer, wine and spirits all made within a 90-mile radius, Flatstick Pub has a 10-hole mini-golf course. The first few holes spell out Lake Tahoe. One goes up a wall and comes back down, another has a loopty loop and other challenges that can perhaps turn a good golfer into a novice if too tipsy. | @TipsyPutt

KNOCK ‘EM DOWN BOWLING

South Shore | Opened in 1959, Tahoe Bowl on Fremont Avenue in South Lake offers a full bar, pizzeria, pool table, arcade games and 16 bowling lanes with newer equipment. | @Tahoe Bowl North Shore | Over on the North Shore, Bowl Incline in Incline Village, Nev. recently reopened under new management with bowling lanes, an event space, an upscale diner featuring a menu curated by renowned chef Sam Choy and more all in a cool retro theme. “It is booming. Who knew that the bowling alley was the place to be on a Friday night?” said longtime local Tanya Soule. | bowlincline.com

SOLVE A MYSTERY

The Brambilas have lived in South Lake Tahoe for more than 15 years. After they had a fun experience in an escape room in Ohio, they decided to start one in Tahoe. Thus, Trapped in Tahoe was born. Four rooms with clues, puzzles and breadcrumbs leading to an escape are enclosed; participants have an hour to solve the mystery. None of the rooms are too scary and they can hold up to 10 players at a time. | trappedintahoe.com

Steve Schmier’s Jewelry

Located in the Boatworks Mall, Tahoe City · SteveSchmiersJewelry.com · 530.583.5709 · SteveSchmiersJewelry.com · 530.583.5709

CONTEMPORARY ART FOR MOUNTAIN LIVING

SIP, SHOP + MEET OUR ARTISTS | FIRST FRIDAYS 5–7PM

10153 West River Street, Truckee, CA 96161 Downtown Truckee’s Newest Gallery with a Fresh Take on Tahoe Art PiperJGallery.com

DONATE HOUSEHOLD, CLOTHING ITEMS

The 2022 Winter Warmth and Wellness Giveaway will be on Nov. 5 from noon to 5 p.m. at North Tahoe Event Center in Kings Beach.

Needed items include toilet paper, tissue, soap, shampoo, deodorant, feminine hygiene items, lotions, dental products, disposable diapers and wipes, household/laundry items such as detergent, dish soap, paper towels, batteries, flashlights, utility candles, blankets and flannel sheets; and male and female new or lightly used warm winter clothing in all sizes, for all ages including socks. Dog and cat food and treats will also be accepted.

Donations can be dropped off and volunteers can drop in at North Tahoe Event Center from Nov. 1 to 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to help. Spanish speakers are especially needed. | (530) 546-0952, mmorken@sierracommunityhouse.org

TAMBA

UPPER TYROLIAN COMPLETED

Tahoe Fund and Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association (TAMBA) recently celebrated the completion new singletrack on the Upper Tyrolian Trail on Oct. 18. The new trail offers panoramic views of Lake Tahoe and jumps and berms to help riders practice his or her skills.

Together with U.S. Forest Service and Sensus R.A.D. Trails, a nonprofit trail-building company by local freeride mountain-bike athlete Cam Zink, TAMBA converted old logging roads into nearly 2 miles of sustainable singletrack trail that connects Tahoe Meadows off Mount Rose Highway to the existing Tyrolian Downhill Trail. The new upper section of the trail, designed to reduce mountainbike traffic on Tahoe Rim Trail provides an official start trailhead with improved signage. | tahoefund.org

Sailboat wreck in Kings Beach. | Priya Hutner DECAYING SAILBOAT REMAINS IN LAKE TAHOE

BY PRIYA HUTNER

An abandoned sailboat that has been launguishing along the shores of Lake Tahoe for years is no closer to being removed.

I first reported on the issue in our Aug. 17 story, “Broken and Abandoned in Lake Tahoe.” Read the full story at TheTahoeWeekly.com.

After spending months investigating why the sailboat had been left in the lake for more than 2 years. I listened to the frustration from nonprofit organizations that tried to help and community members concerned about pollution, yet the boat remains rotting in the shallow waters off Kings Beach.

Broken glass, rotting wood and a half-sunken hull not only present a danger to children that have been seen playing on it, but the shell of the boat is decaying in the lake, which is also a source of drinking water for the community. Nonprofit Below the Blue removed gas, oil, sewage and other chemicals from the boat in 2021, but the boat is rusting in the lake and breaking down into microplastics.

In September, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) referred my inquiries to Kerri O’Keefe, engineering geologist for the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board. O’Keefe provided a glimmer of hope. She said that her agency requested an exemption to expedite removal before winter to avoid further hazards as the vessel could break apart during winter storms.

O’Keefe’s said they were working with U.S. Army Corp of Engineers to obtain an exemption for the removal of vessels and added that they also needed to get the scope of work approved by the CA State Lands Commission and the CA Department of Fish and Wildlife. The removal had been scheduled for Sept. 21, and then rescheduled to Oct. 15. As of press time for this edition, the boat has yet to be removed.

O’Keefe says she has contacted the owner of the boat, Timothy Alan Doss, but he has yet to take action. Lahontan Regional Water Quality has now referred Doss to the California State Water Resources Control Board Office of Enforcement for failure to comply with its directives, according to O’Keefe

Bilingual Singalong

KidZone Museum | Truckee | Tuesdays 11:30 a.m. Free | kidzonemuseum.org

North Tahoe Golden Hour

North Tahoe Event Center | Kings Beach | Tuesdays 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Free | northtahoeparks.com

North Tahoe Toddler & Me

North Tahoe Event Center | Kings Beach | Tuesdays 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Free | northtahoeparks.com

Preschool Storytime

Kings Beach Library | Tuesdays 10:30 a.m. Free | placer.ca.gov

Teen Tuesday

Incline Village Library | Tuesdays 4 p.m. Free | events.washoecountylibrary.us

Baby and Toddler Storytime

Truckee Library | Truckee | Wednesdays 10:30-11 a.m. | madelynhelling.evanced.info

RUFF (Read up for Fun)

Truckee Library | Truckee | Wednesdays 4-5 p.m. | madelynhelling.evanced.info

Caldor Fire Planting

CalTrans Echo Summit Maintenance Station | South Lake Tahoe | Oct. 26 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Free | sugarpinefoundation.org

Forest Futures Salon: Forest Resilience Resources

virtual | Truckee | Oct. 26 4-5:30 p.m. Free | ttcf.net

Halloween Week STEAM Activities

Truckee Library | Truckee | Oct. 26-28 4-5 p.m. | madelynhelling.evanced.info

Stewardship Tahoe workshops

Lake Tahoe Community College | South Lake Tahoe | Oct. 26 5:30 p.m. Free | stewardshiptahoe.org

Historical Walks

Donner Memorial State Park | Truckee | Oct. 27-30, Nov. 3-6, Nov. 10-13 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Free | facebook.com

Meeks Ridge Trail Volunteer Day

South Lake Tahoe | Oct. 27 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | tamba.org

Quality Ski Time Film Tour

Olympic Village | Olympic Valley | Oct. 27 7:30 p.m. $15 | eventbrite.com

Toddler Time

Incline Village Library | Oct. 27, Nov. 3 10:30 a.m. Free | (775) 832-4130, events. washoecountylibrary.us

Trail of Treats and Terrors Ultimate Fight Against the Zebra Mussel

UC Davis Tahoe Science Center | Incline Village | Oct. 27 6 p.m. $5 | ucdavis.tahoe.edu

Halloween Parade

Downtown | Truckee | Oct. 28 6-7 p.m. Free | tdrpd.org

Harvest Fest & Monster Truck or Treat

Boys & Girls Club of NLT | Kings Beach | Oct. 28 5-8 p.m. Free | northtahoeparks.com

Howl-O-Ween Pet Costume Contest

Hyatt Regency | Incline Village | Oct. 28 4-5:30 p.m. | facebook.com

Ranger Program Rainbow Walk

Taylor Creek Visitor Center | South Lake Tahoe | Oct. 28-29 10:30 a.m. | visitlaketahoe.com

Cram-A-Hearse

Grocery Outlet | South Lake Tahoe | Oct. 29 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free | breadandbroth.org

EPHC Safe Trick-or-Treat

Eastern Plumas Health Care | Portola | Oct. 29 4-6 p.m.

Graeagle Merchants Trick-or-Treat

downtown | Graeagle | Oct. 29 4-6 p.m. Free | graeagle.com

Haunted Hotel at Hyatt Regency

Hyatt Regency | Incline Village | Oct. 29 5-9 p.m. | (775) 832-1234

Howl-O-Ween Dog Parade

Hyatt Regency | Incline Village | Oct. 29 3 p.m. $10 | facebook.com

Lil’ Megs Pumpkin Patch

Lil’ Megs Pumpkin Patch | Beckwourth | Oct. 29-30 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | facebook.com

Pow Town Revival Film Tour

RMU Truckee | Truckee | Oct. 29 7 p.m. Free | powtownrevival.com

Road 73 Bypass Trail Volunteer Day

South Lake Tahoe | Oct. 29 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | tamba.org

Rx Medication Take Back Day

Gateway Shopping Center | Truckee | Oct. 29 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free | -chamber.truckee.com

Sierra Speakers Series

Donner Memorial State Park | Truckee | Oct. 29 5 p.m. $5 | sierrastateparks.org

ESVCC Pumpkin Carving & Harvest Festival

Downtown | Loyalton | Oct. 30 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | sierracountychamber.com

PAVED PATHS &CYCLING ROUTES

E-bikes Ok | Trail maps at tahoebike.org

PAVED MULTIUSE TRAILS

BIKE PATH RULES

• Keep dogs leashed • Pedestrians must yield to bikes • Don’t stop on the trail; move to the side • E-bikes allowed on most paths; check in advance • Cyclists call out when passing pedestrians • Cyclists pass on the left • Pack out all trash, including dog waste. • Carry doggie bags.

EAST SHORE

EAST SHORE TRAIL

Easy-moderate | 6 miles RT | tahoefund.org

Runs along Lake Tahoe and connects to Hwy. 28 from south end of Incline Village, Nev., to Sand Harbor State Park. Parking near Ponderosa Ranch Road. Paid parking. TART

NORTH SHORE

Lakeshore Boulevard

Easy | 5 miles RT | washoecounty.us

Runs along Lake Tahoe and connects to Hwy. 28 at each end of Incline Village. Park at Preston Field on Hwy. 28. TART

TAHOE CITY TO CARNELIAN BAY

Easy-moderate | 8+ miles RT | tcpud.org

First 2.5 miles mostly level with a half-mile climb up Dollar Hill. Cross Highway 28 to access 2.2-mile section to Fulton Crescent above Carnelian Bay. Public parking at 64 Acres, Commons Beach, Jackpine and Dollar Point. TART

TRUCKEE RIVER CANYON

Easy | 9+ miles RT | tcpud.org

4.5 miles from the Tahoe City wye to Alpine Meadows Road, with trails continuing to Olympic Valley. Connects with Olympic Valley Road or continue to Truckee. Public parking at 64 Acres and Squaw Valley Park at Olympic Valley Road. TART

VILLAGE BOULEVARD

Easy | 7.4 miles RT | washoecounty.us

Bike path runs along Hwy. 28 through Incline Village. Access to shopping and parks. Park at Preston Field on Hwy. 28. TART

OLYMPIC VALLEY

OLYMPIC VALLEY

Easy | 4 miles RT | tcpud.org

A 2-mile trail runs beside Olympic Valley Road to the ski area from the Squaw Valley condos to Victoria Road, with views of the meadow and surrounding peaks. Public parking at Squaw Valley Park or Village at Palisades Tahoe. TART

TRUCKEE

TRUCKEE LEGACY TRAIL

Easy | 6 miles RT | tdrpd.org

Stretches from downtown Truckee to Truckee River Regional Park, River View Sports Park and Glenshire. Park at either park or East River Street. TART

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE

CAMP RICHARDSON BIKE PATH

Easy | 6 miles RT

The trail parallels State Route 89 (Emerald Bay Road) for more than 3 miles, offering access to a number of local historic and recreational amenities. Park at Taylor Creek, Baldwin or Pope beaches. SOUTH SHORE BIKE PATH

Easy | 7 miles RT | cityofslt.us

Follow the bike trail along South Shore, with sections along Lakeview Commons, Reagan Beach and playgrounds. Public parking at Parks and Recreation lot on Rufus Allen Blvd., Regan & El Dorado beaches & Bijou Community Park.

WEST SHORE

TAHOE CITY TO MEEKS BAY

Moderate | 25+ miles RT | tcpud.org

Mostly separate from the highway, the trail includes a few miles of highway shoulder and residential streets. Terrain is varied with a few steep sections. Access to picnicking, beaches and playgrounds. Public parking at 64 Acres. TART

CYCLING ROUTES

AROUND LAKE TAHOE

Strenuous | 72 miles

This challenging route is a scenic trip around Lake Tahoe. A mix of fl at spots, rolling hills and some steep climbs. Heavy traffi c through South Lake Tahoe. Amazing views.

BARKER PASS

Moderate-strenuous | 10 miles RT

Barker Pass is one of the most beautiful rides in Tahoe, if you don’t mind a little climbing with 5 miles and 1,700 vertical feet. Take Highway 89 south of Tahoe City to Barker Pass Road for about 4.2 miles. Look for the brown sign on the right for Blackwood Canyon/Kaspian, and shortly afterward you will see the Forest Service road.

HOPE VALLEY TO BLUE LAKES

Moderate | 28 miles RT

You can explore the Highway 88 in either direction of Hope Valley, but 12-mile ride from the valley to Blue Lakes is a biker’s dream: smooth roads, doable climbs and spectacular alpine scenery with a lake at the end. Park at the intersection of Highways 88 and 89 and turn right. In 2 miles, turn onto Blue Lakes Road. The ride starts out mostly level until you pass the Hope Valley campground where it begins to steadily ascend before reaching the pass with a panoramic view of the area. Then descend for several miles to end at Blue lakes before the return trip.

INCLINE TO MOUNT ROSE SUMMIT

Strenuous | 16 miles RT

Ride about Lake Tahoe for panoramic views of the basin climbing to 8,900’ on the Mount Rose Highway out of Incline Village, Nev., to the Mount Rose Pass. While 8 miles of climbing is tough, it’s a fairly gentle grade. Just put it in your lowest gear and keep pedaling, followed by 8 miles of downhill at fast speeds with sandy bike lands. Keeping your speed under control is vital. Parking at Preston Field in Incline Village or start at the top and park at Tahoe Meadows or at the summit.

OLD 40 TO CISCO GROVE

Moderate-strenuous | 39 miles RT

This route is one of the easiest to follow, and one of the best. It has it all the views, a good climb, a technical descent, a restaurant en route, Donner Lake and miles of lightly traveled roads. From downtown Truckee head west on Donner Pass Road until it ends in Cisco Grove. After passing Donner Lake, you begin the long and challenging, but scenic, grind up the summit. This climb has a vertical rise of less than 1,000’. From the top of the summit, it is a rolling downhill along the Yuba River all the way to Cisco Grove. The descent down to Donner Lake is a technical one. Watch your speed, and make sure your brakes work. Parking at West End Beach and boat ramp.

Spooktacular Halloween

Zephyr Point | Zephyr Cove | Oct. 30 5-8 p.m. $5-$20 | zephyrpoint.org

Tahoe City Planting

Tahoe XC Ski Area | Tahoe City | Oct. 30 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Free | sugarpinefoundation.org

Trunk or Treat!

Crosswinds Truckee Assembly of God | Truckee | Oct. 30 3-4 p.m. Free | chamber.truckee.com

Trunk of Treat

Hope Lutheran Church | South Lake Tahoe | Oct. 31 3-5 p.m. | (916) 698-6765

Downtown Trick-or-Treat

Heritage Plaza | Tahoe City | Oct. 31 4-6 p.m. | visittahoecity.org

Halloween Party with Hattie Craven & YLF

Moe’s Orignial Bar B Que | Tahoe City | Oct. 31 5-8 p.m. | moesbbqtahoe.com

Bilingual Storytime

Truckee Library | Nov. 3 10:30-11 a.m. | madelynhelling.evanced.info

Think Big Luncheon

The Resort at Squaw Creek | Olympic Valley | Nov. 3 12-1 p.m. Free | kidzonemuseum.org

Tween/Teen Digital Craft Hour

Truckee Library | Truckee | Nov. 3 4-5 p.m. | madelynhelling.evanced.info

Winter Warmth & Wellness Giveaway

North Tahoe Event Center | Kings Beach | Nov. 4 12-5 p.m. Free | sierracommunityhouse.org

Saturday Storytime

Truckee Library | Nov. 5 10-10:30 a.m. | -madelynhelling.evanced.info

Truckee Ski Swap

Truckee Recreation Center | Truckee | Nov. 5 11 a.m.-4 p.m. $5 | tdrpd.org

Baby Lapsit Storytime

North Tahoe Event Center | Kings Beach | Nov. 11 10-11 a.m. Free | placer.ca.gov

“Daymaker 2022”

Harrah’s Lake Tahoe | Stateline | Nov. 11-12 7:30 p.m. | (800) 427-7247, warrenmiller.com

Movie Night

North Tahoe Event Center | Kings Beach | Nov. 11 6 p.m. Free | northtahoeparks.com

TAMBA Membership Party

Heavenly Mountain/Cal Base Lodge | South Lake Tahoe | Nov. 11 5:30-8:30 p.m. | (775) 586-7000, tamba.org

Cross Country & Backcountry Ski Swap

Tahoe XC Ski Area | Tahoe City | Nov. 12 9 a.m.-4 p.m. $10 | tahoexc.org

TMS Backcountry Film Festival

Alibi Ale Works | Truckee | Nov. 12 5:30-9 p.m. | alibialeworks.com

Avalanche Education Series

Alibi Ale Works | Truckee | Nov. 15 6 p.m. Free | tahoemountainsports.com

Puppets w/Chris Arth

KidZone Museum | Truckee | Nov. 16 11 a.m. Free | kidzonemuseum.org

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