Off-Road Trails Near Lake Tahoe, CA

I live in the Bay Area but am itching to take my truck out on some moderate trails in the snow when I make my way to Lake Tahoe for snowboarding this winter. I primarily spend time in South Lake.

 

OMG, there's like 1000's of miles of trails around there. Go get yourself some Forest Service MVUM's (motor vehicle use maps). I have several that are electronic, and use them with the Avenza App on my android. I personally like the BackCountry Navigator Pro better, but the MVUMs on Avenza are a little less cluttered with topo lines, etc... so the roads are easier to see.

I don't really do too much in the snow, there are a lot of seasonal closures of the roads up there, so might do you some good to plan ahead and call the local FS office before hand.

Really, ANY road up there can turn into a serious challenge when it's not plowed (obviously).

 

Thanks for the advice sir!

 

I'll have to check out these apps out thanks for the info. I've never used them

 

@HarryWygal

This is true, the trails up there are definitely seasonal. But like I said, you can likely find some roads up there that aren't plowed, and still get a pretty good adventure out of that. When there's 6' of snow, it doesn't really matter if there's asphalt or dirt underneath, lol.

But I would agree with jberry813 that Plumas would be better for genuine off-roading in the winter. Those aps I mentioned still work, and you'd want to call ahead to the ranger station(s) for conditions and road closures, etc...

 

http://www.reno4x4.com/showthread.php/86444-Two-snowbound-rigs-on-Rubicon

Then there are those that don't get pulled out. Pretty wild how 5 months of snow can flatten a rig

 

Subbed as I'll be up there for a few days with the wife in a couple weeks, bringing my truck obviously since I assume we'll need 4wd.

My wife grew up in Grass Valley not too far from there, her brother knows a few of the Jeep clubs, one or two of them might show us around some spots that they go to in the winter time. If I get more info I'll pass it along.

 

Damn, after reading that thread I'm second guessing doing any snow wheeling in Tahoe lol

 

Just head up to ice house loon lake. Tons and tons of trails

 

Yeah, the winter time is the time where I build my bumpers and skids. I don't do a lot of snow driving. Too cold, lol