The Tahoe to Yosemite Trail

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This Store, and a pizza parlor just South of here along Highway 89, are the only food resources near the trailhead. They are about 4 miles North of the Meeks Bay trail head.

The folks in here were Eastern Euros recently transplanted to the West Shore of Lake Tahoe in '09.

Meeks Bay

Trailhead location, Access, Transportation, and Directions

The Meeks Bay Trail head into the Desolation Wilderness is the hardest of all three of our Lake Tahoe Region trailhead options to get to, especially if you hitch hike and rely on public transportation as I do.

It's location on Highway 89 on the Western Shore of Lake Tahoe is fairly remote, at least as far as public transportation and easy hitch hiking goes. Or does not go...

Two main routes connect Lake Tahoe with the rest of the world. Highway 80 on the North side of Lake Tahoe, and Highway 50 on the South side. These routes are supplemented by two other routes. The Kingsbury Grade connects the Nevada side of South Lake Tahoe to the East, to the 395 corridor through the towns of Minden and Gardnerville.

Highway 89 runs from South to North between Highway 50 and Highway 80 along the Western Shore of Lake Tahoe.

These are your main North, South, East, and West road access points to Lake Tahoe, though there are other routes.

To Meeks Bay on Highway 89 from the North via Highway 80 and Tahoe City

HIghway 89 is a winding and twisting narrow road through dense forest no matter which way you come in to Meeks Bay. It is a slow road to drive, and is as easily clogged by weekend traffic during Summer as it is during Winter ski season traffic.

From Highway 80 the Highway 89 exit South to Tahoe City and South Lake Tahoe is clearly visible. 13.6 miles South of Highway 80, you will veer Right, or South, in Tahoe City to continue South on Highway 89 towards the Meeks Bay trailhead. The Meeks Bay trailhead is another 11 miles South of Tahoe City on Highway 89.

Public transportation does come most of the way down to Meeks Bay from the North, if you come to Meeks Bay from the North side of Lake Tahoe through Tahoe City.

The problem with coming in from the North is that there is no public transportation along Highway 80 between San Francisco and Reno. If you know of regular transportation between San Francisco and Reno along Highway 80 that will drop you off at the North Shore of Lake Tahoe, post it up here. I don't.

Though you can take public transportation South on Highway 89 from Tahoe City towards Meeks Bay, the bus line ends (pdf) about three miles North of the Meeks Bay trailhead, just South of the Tehoma Store and Deli.

To Meeks Bay on Highway 89 from the South via Highway 50 and South Lake Tahoe

There is no public transportation to Meeks Bay up Highway 89 from South Lake Tahoe, for those backpackers who access Lake Tahoe by Highway 50 from the South. There is public transportation directly to the junction of Highway 89 and 50 in South Lake Tahoe, the "Tahoe Y" from the San Francisco Bay Area.

From the Tahoe Y it is 16.2 miles North on Highway 89 to the Meeks Bay Trail Head.

The Amtrack bus from the Bay Area will drop you off at the Tahoe Y, where Highways 89 and 50 intersect, but that's where the public transportation ends. Those depending on pubic transportation will have to hitch hike from there to Meeks Bay themselves. But not to worry, hitch hiking is very easy in the Tahoe Basin.

Just walk diagonally across the intersection from the Tahoe Y bus station, and hitch North on Highway 89. The locals are real friendly, and a few of the out of towners are too. But South Lake Tahoe has grown beyond its small town roots, and much of the traffic looks like a suburban commute.

In any case, the South Lake Tahoe region is a good place to hitch hike for backpackers. In fact, the Sierras are good hitching, as well as good hiking!

Meeks Bay

In Meeks Bay, the trail head itself is set-back off of the West side of Highway 89 directly across from a trailer park, and 100 yards South of the well-signed Meeks Bay Resort, and 75 yards South of a National Park Service fire station. As you can see from these photographs of the Meeks Bay trailhead, there is a substantial seasonal permit cabin, and a prominent information board that are both visible from Highway 89.

If you are coming to Meeks Bay from the North, from Highway 80 to Highway 89 South,  look for the tiny town of Tehoma. After passing about 4 miles South of Tehoma, you will see the Meeks Bay Resort and NPS fire station on your left about a 100 yards before you come upon Log Cabin Road, (Also known as Forest Route 14N42) and the Meeks Bay trail head on your right.

If you are coming to Meeks Bay from the South, from Highway 50 and South Lake Tahoe to Highway 89 North, the trail head appears on your left directly across Highway 89 from a trailer park less than a half-mile after you pass a little red two garage fire house in Rubicon Bay. If you reach the Meeks Bay Resort and the Forest Service fire station on your right, you have just passed the trailhead. 

There is more info about local transportation on the Lake Tahoe Backpacker Resources page.

Comments?

Local Resources

Local resources are sparse in Meeks Bay, with the Meeks Bay Resort offering little more than candy bars, chips and soda.

But there is real food available in Tehoma, consisting of a Pizzeria and a Deli, about four miles North on Highway 89.

The pizza place is good in Tehoma, but the real treat to my tastes is the monster sandwiches available in the deli in the Tehoma store, pictured above. They are kind of expensive, but they are huge.

South Lake Tahoe Resources

Next Page South: Hiking South from Meeks Bay

More Information

Topo Map: Meeks to Lake Genevieve                      Topo Map: Lake Genevieve to Susie Lake

Miles and Elevations

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Section: Meeks Bay to Echo Summit

Segment: Lake Tahoe trail head Options

Segment: Meeks Bay trail head