Fall-Trails-Running
-By Treas Manning

Here are three of my favorite fall running trails, now let's hear from you.  Email a description of your fav and we will post it on our blog.

For many of us that live in the mountains, fall is one of our favorite times of the year.  The crowds are gone, the morning and evening air are cool and crisp, the lighting is soft, and it's one season closer to ski season.  It also just happens to be the perfect time to grab your trail running shoes and immerse yourself in shades of yellow, orange and red.

Tahoe and Truckee have some of the most beautiful fall running trails in the state.  Trails through meadows of golden grass ringed with stands of old growth aspens lit up like fireworks, their leaves quaking in the fall breeze.  These places come alive while summer wildflowers are fading, they're teaming with wildlife busily gathering up the last of native currants, nuts and seeds.  There is so much natural beauty with every step and around every turn, you won't even notice the miles you are pounding out.

I've taken a moment to list a few of my favorite running trails this time of the year.  Hope you get out there and enjoy hitting the dirt and kicking up some dust.  Grab your GoPro, the shots are sure to be spectacular, but leave the headphones at home; you'll want to catch the rustling of the leaves, the chirps of the squirrels and the howling of the coyotes.

Paige Meadows:  On the west shore of Lake Tahoe, a series of five meadows are mostly single track with some dirt roads that loop around and through the meadows.  The aspens here are some of the best in the area.   Because these trails are made up of a series of loops you can make your run short or as long as you like.  Late afternoon into dusk is my favorite time to hit the trails at Paige but keep track of your turns, when the aspens turn off their lights the forest can get pretty dark.  Morning is also a good time to head out though temperatures can be bordering on cold and you might see a bear or two grazing brightly colored fall berries.

Getting There:  From Tahoe City head out toward the west shore on Hwy 89, West Lake Blvd.  Take a right onto Pine Ave, (if you reach Sunnyside you have gone too far).  From Pine Ave take the first right onto Tahoe Park Height Dr, as the road winds up the hill a beautiful view of Lake Tahoe unfolds on the left side of the road.  After oohing and awing over the sight of the lake take a right on Big Pine Dr, make a left onto Silvertip and drive to the end of the road and park.  Head out on the dirt road at the end of the pavement and as the road widens out to a large cleaning verve to the left and follow the dirt road downhill.  Keep your eyes peeled for two short Forest Service posts that mark the turn onto a single track to the first meadow.

Marlette Lake:  High above and tucked behind the ridge rimming Lake Tahoe is lovely Marlette Lake.  The trail heading up is mostly dirt with some sandy spots as you make the final ascent to the lake.  The trail heading up is lined with aspens and groves that climb far up the hillside.  When you reach Marlette be sure to cross the outlet of the lake on the south end and catch the flume trail at least far enough to catch a spectacular viewpoint high above Lake Tahoe.  The view of Tahoe is looking straight down into the clear aqua water of the east shore.  If you arrange for a car drop back toward Incline Village near the intersection of Hwy 28 and Lakeshore Dr.  you can continue your run along the Flume Trail.  Otherwise the out and back run is downhill to the trailhead orgin.  Your run miles range from approximately 8.0, (out and back), to 12.0 miles with car drops at both ends.  Keep in mind that the Flume is also a popular bike trail and the section of the trail on the ridge above Lake Tahoe is narrow and falls away toward the Lake.

Getting There:  Leave Incline Village and head out on Hwy 28 toward Hwy 50, just before the intersection of 28 and 50, turn left into Spooner Lake State Park.  A parking fee may be required as you enter the park, but this trail is so beautiful you won't mind paying.

Perazzo and Jackson Meadows:  Wow, these meadows are massive and the aspens, creek side willows and golden grasses are really something.  The aspens climb up the surrounding hills in a large grove making awesome bright color swatches among the pine trees.  The contrast of color and texture is something to see.  There are a series of dirt roads that travel through the meadows.  Once a spot catches your eye just head into the meadow and take off running, just remember where you parked the car. This run can literally be a short flat run or a long rolling workout.

Getting There: Leaving Truckee, head north on Hwy 89, drive roughly 20 minutes, and turn left at Jackson Meadows Road.  From above pick your road that leads to the meadows, and take off running.