Dardanelles Lake - near Southshore Lake Tahoe
Details
Plan on meeting at Big Meadow Trailhead off of Highway 89.
Having done a cross country, off trail trip last weekend, i want to do something easy, so, I plan on a quick one night backpacking trip to Dardanelle Lake area. This is a popular and easily accessible backpacking destination, so ideally the earlier we arrive there, the more likely we can find some camping spots. I also plan on investigating the area after setting up camp. I would like to go and explore some of the different forks of the Truckee River that are in the area.
area description from the following site:
This trail, south of Lake Tahoe, is particularly scenic in the fall. Dardanelles Lake is surrounded by picturesque granite cliffs on one side and flat granite shelves on the other.
This trail is located south of Lake Tahoe. Aspen and alder trees along the trail make this an exceptionally scenic hike during the fall. The first half mile of this trail climbs steeply from the highway through Jeffrey pine and white fir to Big Meadow. When the trail forks approximately 1.5 miles past Big Meadow, take the right fork. In less than a quarter mile, take the unmarked trail to your left which crosses the creek. The trail winds through rolling hills and past willows before crossing two more streams. Look for the giant seven foot in diameter juniper along the way. A short climb up a small hill leads you to Dardanelles Lake, surrounded by picturesque granite cliffs on one side and flat granite shelves on the other.
Directions: From South Lake Tahoe, Take Highway 50 southwest to Highway 89. Go south on 89 to the Big Meadows parking lot on the left. Follow the trail at the lower end of the parking lot approximately 200 yards, where it intersects with the highway. Cross the highway cautiously and look for the trailhead signboard.
Elevation: 7,200 feet
Ending Elevation: 7,760 feet
Elevation Gain: 560 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
further how to get there info:
The length is 4(one way) miles, the altitude is 8,000 feet and the total climb is about 1,000 ft. There is limited parking at the trailhead (which is exactly 5 miles on highway 89 after a right turn off highway 50 over Echo Summit). It is the Big Meadow Trailhead of the Tahoe Rim Trail.
http://www.davessierrafishing.com/images/dardanelleslake.1.jpg