Best Easy Day Hikes Lake Tahoe (Best Easy Day Hikes Series)

Tracy Salcedo has been down a lot of trails in her guide-writing career. Geographically widespread and numerically impressive, her writings deserve to be resourced as an essential for anyone planning to travel in California, Colorado, Washington, or Alaska.

This particular Falcon guide is 4¼” X 7”, under ½” thick, slickly covered, and weighs only 3 oz., so it can be comfortably pocketed and handled. And you will want to pocket it.

Each chapter covers one hike and includes a map, trailhead GPS coordinates, and a difficulty rating. An introductory explanation tells how those ratings were derived, which is charming as well as useful. Additionally, there are descriptions of trail surface(s), whether any fees or permits are required, hours of access/operation, amenities, and whether or not you can bring your dog along. Directions to reach each hike are detailed with reference from one of the four major areas around Tahoe’s shore. Included maps are simple, flat, and not topographical, but references are given so you may acquire more detailed maps for your chosen adventures.

Engaging discussion including environmental concerns, history, views to anticipate, difficulties to avoid, and what other trail users you may encounter accompanies the listings. There is even advice about how to deal with black bears and with those really frightening creatures, children.