DRIVES
- Drive Around Lake Tahoe: for an unforgettable event, do the 72 mile drive around the perimeter of Lake Tahoe. For the best views, drive it clockwise so you’re on the inside lane closest to the water. You’ll want to make several stops along the way, such as on the east shore where there are nice lake views and beaches with very clear blue-green water. South shore is where all the big casinos are, offering lots of entertainment and shopping. The west shore is more rugged and the roads are windier than the east shore – Emerald Bay (see below) is undoubtedly the most photographed spot on the lake – you’ll definitely want to stop there.
- Emerald Bay: no trip to Tahoe would be complete without a drive to Emerald Bay on the west shore. You can hike around the rocks and enjoy the views; there are also some nice hikes that start around here (see Hiking Favorites)
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- Mount Rose Summit: 10 miles uphill from Incline Village on the Mount Rose Highway (Highway 431), you’ll find the highest pass in the Sierras that’s open year round. At just under 9000 ft., Mount Rose summit offers great views of the Reno area. If you continue driving towards Reno, take your first right past the main parking lot for the Mount Rose Ski Area, and you’ll find a road that takes you to the back side of the ski area. From here you’ll have impressive views of Reno and the valley below. This is a popular launch point for hangliders.
- Fiberboard Freeway: this is a little-known road that offers access to some very peaceful areas north of the lake. To get there, take Highway 267 north from Kings Beach and turn left at the small paved road at the top of Brockway Summit. There are many nice places to stop and enjoy the lake views – you can also park and picnic at Watson Lake, a small alpine lake. The high point on this road is Starratt Pass – at just under 8000 ft., this area offers really nice views to the north and west towards Truckee, Squaw, and Castle Peak. Note there’s no outlet from this road – unless you’re into off-roading, you’ll need to head back to Highway 267.
- Martis Peak Fire Lookout: about a half hour away, this high elevation fire lookout offers nice views of the high country. It’s accessible only after the snow melts. Inside the hut at the lookout, key landmarks are labeled in all directions. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to meet a frequent visitor here (one of the rangers has a large feathered friend). From Kings Beach, drive north on Highway 267, go over Brockway Summit, and take a right on the first paved road after the summit (it’s a small paved road, a very sharp right). This paved road goes for about 4.5 miles to the Martis Peak fire lookout (elev. 8600 ft.).
- Old Highway 40: before Highway 80, this was how you had to get over Donner Summit, and if you drive it by car, you’ll see why it was a challenge! This drive has really nice views of Donner Lake and the Truckee area, and you go over a historic Rainbow bridge. There’s also a nice vista point where you can park and enjoy the views. To get here, take Donner Pass Road in Truckee heading west – the road will border Donner Lake on the north, and it’ll start the steep climb to Donner Summit just past the lake.
- Virginia City: historic Virginia City is a short 20 minute drive from south Reno, and just 40 miles from Incline Village. For more info, see http://www.virginiacity-nv.org/.
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