My Reasons for Choosing Tahoe

If you’ve ever spent any time living or playing in the Truckee/Tahoe area, you know that it is a very dog-friendly destination. There is no limit to the amount of outdoor activity for dogs and their owners to do together. Whether it’s going on a hike, paddle boarding on a mountain lake (yes, paddlers do take their dogs on board) or heading out into the Sierra wilderness for a camping trip, Tahoe is the perfect place for you and your dog to share in the joys of outdoor adventure.

In the wintertime, when all is covered over with ice and snow, you will find those who dare and—more importantly—who have the expertise, exploring the back country with their four-legged friends.

My dog Marty (a gigantic Golden Doodle) and I like to get out on the trail as often as possible because any day spent communing with nature is a day well spent. Most recently, we hiked The Flume Trail which is accessible any time of year. It is easily one of Tahoe’s finest outings, offering breath-taking views of both Lakes Tahoe and Marlette.

My daughter Amy, Marty, and I started out from the Tunnel Creek Café along Route 28 in Incline Village (street parking is available if the Café is closed). From there, we followed the paved access road up from the Café which led to a locked gate. Once through the gate, the pavement changed to dirt (in the winter months, this is more likely to be snow and ice, but easily navigated with a set of snowshoes). We continued on this path just a short distance before it led up to the left, taking us directly to the famous rock which bears a striking resemblance to a monkey—go see for yourself, it’s called Monkey Rock. From this vantage point, the views are simply marvelous.

This is a perfect hike for what seems like instant gratification. The views of the Lake are just minutes from the starting point, culminating in a breath-taking payoff after a short, but aggressive climb. Marty, I am happy to say, has finally learned to follow in my snowshoe tracks which means we can now tackle this fantastic Lake Tahoe hike anytime of year. Good boy Marty!