What we’re about
At Lassen Plumas Trekkers, we look forward to offering beautiful, interesting and FUN hikes and other outdoor activities primarily in Lassen and Plumas Counties. Occasional out of county excursions will also be offered.
Our intent is to provide opportunities for like-minded folks to explore and discover the wonders of our diverse local area. Now that fall has arrived, we will be holding off from the after-work hikes until after the days get longer in the spring.
Come join us and SHARE IN THE FUN!
Due to on-going concerns with COVID, local county and state guidelines will be followed. PLEASE, do not join any excursions if you suspect you may have COVID or if you have been exposed to someone with COVID.
Upcoming events (2)
See all- Palisades Tahoe (Squaw Valley) Hike up Thunder Mtn Trail – Option Tram Ride downSquaw Valley Resort, Olympic Valley, CA
Ordinarily a strenuous hike up a steep scenic alpine trail with 2000 vertical feet of elevation gain earns you the right to eat what snacks you brought and hike back down. And you do have those rights on this hike, but you earn other options as well, because you hiked the Thunder Mountain Trail up to “High Camp” from the base camp “Village at Palisades Tahoe”, formerly called “Squaw Valley”, the ski resort off Hwy 89 between Truckee and Tahoe. (1960 Squaw Valley Road, Olympic Valley, CA 96146). See below for less strenuous options and optional campground camping.
At High Camp, after hiking up, you can select and purchase snacks, beverages or food-to-go from the High Camp Marketplace. At the top, you get spectacular views of Lake Tahoe in the distance.
And, thanks to the generous policy of Palisades Tahoe for hikers who reach High Camp, you can ride the aerial tram down to where you parked, free of charge, during operational hours. The Palisades Tahoe hiking page highlights the free tram option: "Hike back down the way you came or continue to High Camp and ride the Aerial Tram down to the base for free." Hiking map links etc . . .From time to time the tram is non-operational, due to weather or maintenance, so it is possible that a hike down is required. Back at Base Camp after the hike and ride, there are a variety of eateries and shopping places for outdoor apparel. A map of the Village and parking areas, the base camp, south at the top and north at the bottom, is found at this link . . .
We will meet at 9:30 a.m. in the main parking lot, in front of ALICE’S MOUNTAIN MARKET, which is #46 on the pdf map, link above. Then we will do a short trek through the Village to the Thunder Mountain Trail trailhead, which can be challenging to find, as its location is misdescribed in various sources, including official sources. The trailhead is a bit back (south) of the KT Base Bar, #8 on the linked map, and the Bar is in the Olympic House building. The trailhead in the “back yard” of the Bar is marked by a large rectangular sign with a red top that says “STOP” and a left arrow points to the Thunder Mountain Trailhead marked with an upright orange post, just to the left of the sign.
The rectangular sign, see the Photos section of this posting, announces at the bottom that the High Camp Trail is 3.36 mi long, 1990 vertical feet. It seemed more like about 5-6 mi to me, but maybe that is just me. We are starting early to allow a moderate pace with plenty of pauses given the steepness and altitude of the hike. And we don’t want to miss the last ride down, which is often around 4:30-5 p.m.
Parts of the trail are somewhat overgrown, rough, and/or steep, with loose gravel. Trekking poles and a cautious ascent are highly advised. Plenty of water, good footwear, and appropriate clothing layers are also advised. Cell service has been good on my visits. The trail can get confusing as it ascends, presents various route options, phone GPS navigation apps will aid us.
If anyone wishes to camp overnight Saturday and/or Sunday night closer to Palisades Tahoe, check for campground reservations, RECREATION.GOV, for the nearest campgrounds, e.g.: Silver Creek, Granite Flat, Goose Meadows, Prosser, or Lakeside. For those looking for a less strenuous option than the 2000 vertical foot hike up, you can purchase a tram ticket, take the tram up to High Camp, hike around High Camp, meet those who hike up, and take the tram back down.
LEGAL: Each person who RSVP's "Yes, and or attends or participates in this posted meetup event, agrees unconditionally to the following by virtue of such RSVP, attendance or participation, without further assent:
- No organizer or host shall owe any legal duty, or have any financial liability or obligation, or any duty to warn to any member, participant, guest or attendee regarding anything relating to any posting, person, risk, or event.
- Each member, participant, guest or attendee, and not any host or organizer, shall be solely responsible to determine all aspects of the safety of any event, the safety of any area where any event take place, and the suitability of the event and area for the participant in question in all respects including experience level, expertise, physical condition, and medical condition.
- The organizers and hosts profess no expertise in first aid, in medical care, in emergency rescue or procedures, and shall have no obligation to render any aid of any kind to any participant, although they may without further obligation or liability render any such aid.
- SUSAN RIVER CANYON LOOP HIKE - Symphony Concert Option follows hikeBizz Johnson National Recreation Trail - Devil's Corral Trailhead, Susanville, CA
A DAY OF SENSORY OVERLOAD!
FIRST: A 6 mi loop hike in the spectacular Susan River Canyon starting at 10 a.m. from the Devils Corral Trailhead of the Bizz Johnson Trail. Trailhead is on Hwy 36 about 7 mi West of Susanville. Mid-hike we will trek through two long railroad tunnels on what is now a rails-to-trails trail, the Bizz Johnson Trail. We will plan on finishing the hike a couple of hours prior to the start of the concert, next below.
NEXT: (OPTIONAL, BUT RECOMMENDED) See this fascinating link . . . https://thesusanvillesymphony.com/our-story/ After hiking and then relaxing for a while, then at 5 p.m. back in Susanville, on the spacious lawns of the old courthouse at 220 S. Lassen St, we can attend the outdoor open-air "Concert on the Green" with the Susanville Symphony Orchestra. Dinner during the concert will be whatever we bring and set up, can range from fast food from a local Susanville eatery, eaten on a blanket, to a seated gourmet feast with linen, fine china and crystal. Symphony Ticket info below.
MORE ON THE SUSAN RIVER CANYON: At 10 a.m. we will meet at the Devils Corral trailhead 7 mi West of Susanville on Hwy 36 to begin this moderate 6 mi. loop hike taking in great views of the Susan River Canyon. From the trailhead we will cross the Bizz Rails-to-Trails trail and take the singletrack Southside Trail down to cross the Susan River on a small footbridge, then hike East in the direction of Susanville on the Southside Trail well up on the S. side of the Susan River Canyon. From the high trail we will have scenic views of the river canyon and river below. Still on the Southside Trail, we will cross Cheney Creek on a small wooden footbridge, then ascend high over the Bizz rail tunnel. Past the tunnel, we will take a connector trail over to the Bizz trail itself and hike through the tunnels and on the Bizz back to Devils Corral where we started. This is a great trip to become acquainted with the exceptional Bizz Johnson Rails to Trails trail for hiking and bicycling on the old rail bed through the scenic canyon.
DEVILS CORRAL TRAILHEAD: We will meet to begin the hike at the Devils Corral Trailhead. That trailhead parking area has restrooms and is located about 7 mi west of Susanville on the south side of State Route 36. Devils Corral trailhead spur road is just East of where the Hwy 36 bridge crosses the Susan River, about 100 yds East of the Bridge. The trailhead is roughly 1.5 mi West on Hwy 36 from the intersection of Hwys 36 and 44. Just before the trailhead there is a govt TRAILHEAD sign with an arrow pointing left.
SYMPHONY CONCERT: $35 admission in advance, or $40 cash or check at the door. To get your tickets in advance:
https://thesusanvillesymphony.com/purchase-tickets/
MORE TRAIL INFO:
https://www.blm.gov/visit/bizz-johnson
https://lassenlandandtrailstrust.org/bizz-johnson-trail
https://www.hikingproject.com/trail/7002763/bizz-johnson-national-recreation-trail
BRING FOR THE HIKE: Plenty of drinking water, snacks, lunch. Hiking poles if desired.
BRING FOR THE OUTDOOR CONCERT: Something to sit on, chairs, blanket. Dinner/snacks. Beverages. Small portable table and table settings if desired. Clothing layer for evening cooling.Out-of-towners who wish to camp the night before or after, there are USFS Campgrounds in area. Lassen NF - Goumaz Campground & Roxie Peconum Campground. Plumas NF - Laufman Campground. Message if you need details.
LEGAL: Each person who RSVP's "Yes, and or attends or participates in this posted meetup event, agrees unconditionally to the following by virtue of such RSVP, attendance or participation, without further assent:
- No organizer or host shall owe any legal duty, or have any financial liability or obligation, or any duty to warn to any member, participant, guest or attendee regarding anything relating to any posting, person, risk, or event.
- Each member, participant, guest or attendee, and not any host or organizer, shall be solely responsible to determine all aspects of the safety of any event, the safety of any area where any event take place, and the suitability of the event and area for the participant in question in all respects including experience level, expertise, physical condition, and medical condition.
- The organizers and hosts profess no expertise in first aid, in medical care, in emergency rescue or procedures, and shall have no obligation to render any aid of any kind to any participant, although they may without further obligation or liability render any such aid.
