Field Tours
Sunday, October 9
Tour Participants: Please wear appropriate footwear (hiking boots!) and to bring sun protection, water and snacks with you on all tours. All participants will receive a pack lunch to take with them.
FT1 Eagle Rock Trail
10:30 AM-12 Noon
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Tour Leader: Scott Valentine, Lake Tahoe Community College
The Eagle Rock trail is a 0.7-mile out-and-back trail near Homewood, California. The geologic history of Lake Tahoe (among other things) will be the focus of this 1.5 hour field excursion. This can be a very popular area and carpooling is encouraged.
Check in and meet in the parking lot in front of the Main Lodge. The trailhead parking area which is approximately a 10-minute drive south of Granlibakken. Maximum number of participants is 35.
FT2 Martis Valley (formerly Loon Lake On the Trail) - NOW FULL!
Due to the large number of registrants for this hike and the remote location of the site, we are moving this hike to a more accessible and less sensitive location. Please see the following changes:
11:00 AM-2:30 PM (UPDATED)
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Tour Leader: Obi Kaufmann
Join Obi on a three-hour hike on a local trail near Martis Valley. Explore the natural history of the area, together with the author of the award-winning, best-selling California Field Atlas series.
Check-in and meet in the parking lot in front of the Main Lodge. This tour is a 30 minute drive from Granlibakken. Participants will drive to the designated trailhead. Maximum number of participants is 35.
FT3 Donner State Park Natural History Hike - NOW FULL!
10:30 AM-1:00 PM
Level of Difficulty: Moderate with uneven terrain
Tour Leader: Jeremy Lin, State Park Interpreter II and California Naturalist
Jeremy will lead an approximately 3-mile hike in the park. We will discuss the natural features of the region including tree diversity, geology of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and alpine lake ecology. The guided tour will last about 2.5 hours and trek along the iconic Donner Lake frontage, through the mixed conifer forest, and loop past Michael’s Pond. This hike is considered moderate difficulty due to narrow trails, uneven terrain, and potentially hot weather conditions. The Donner Lake area is renowned for its beautiful scenery, intriguing biodiversity, and lovely hiking trails.
Check-in and meet in the parking lot in front of the Main Lodge. Carpools will be organized to meet at Donner Memorial State Park Visitor Center. Participants are responsible for the park entrance fee. Maximum number of participants is 35.
FT4 Walking Tour of Tallac Estates
11:30 AM-1:30 PM (Does not inc. 45-min. drive from Granlibakken to location)
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Tour Leader: David Long
Join David for a walking tour of the Pope and Baldwin Estate grounds and gardens, including the Arboretum area, vegetable garden and Washoe gardens. An option is to walk along the lake shore over to the US Forest Service Interpretive Center. Following the Lake shore we will be able to see the remnants of the Baldwin Casino, and fountain. We will also be able to see the progress made at the Taylor Creek Marsh in controlling Aquatic Invasive Species. From the Interpretive Center we can take the Rainbow Trail, through Marsh area and Aspen woodlands. Salmon are expected to be spawning in Taylor Creek. Access may be limited to the stream area due to bear activity and crowds. The return to the Baldwin estates will include a stroll on the old Promenade that was the place to be seen during high season at Tahoe during the early 1900s.
Check-in and Meet in parking lot for carpools to drive to Tallac Historic Estates parking area, Heritage Way South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 which is a 45 min. drive from Granlibakken. Maximum number of participants is 35.
FT5 Geology of the West Shore of Lake Tahoe -NOW FULL!
10:30 AM-1:00 PM
Level of Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Tour Leader: Jake Hudson (PE, CEG)
Join Jake Hudson on a geological tour of the west shore of Lake Tahoe starting at the Granlibakken. You will travel down the west shore of Lake Tahoe to observe the geologic structure of the basin, glacial valleys, moraines and other geologic features in the area. Participants will take short walks from the parking areas at various locations along the route. Located in the high Sierra Nevada, Lake Tahoe offers some of the most picturesque scenery in the world. Nestled between the Sierra Nevada on the west and the Carson Range to the east, Tahoe's cold clear water and surrounding rugged mountain peaks contribute to its natural beauty. Over millions of years, a complex interaction of geologic processes has shaped and carved the landscape we see today.
Check-in and meet in the parking lot in front of the Main Lodge for driving tour. Maximum number of participants is 20.
FT6 Rubicon Trail Hike
11:00 AM-3:30 PM
Level of Difficulty: Hard/Strenuous
Tour Leader: Kaytlen Jackson, State Park Interpreter
Join Kaytlen on this 5-mile hike starting at the Lighthouse trailhead at DL Bliss State Park. You will hike along arguably the most beautiful and scenic trail in the basin, be treated with expansive views Mt. Tallac, Freel Peak, and the east and south shores. Participants will identify various species of birds including woodpeckers, songbirds, osprey, and potentially bald eagles. As we reach Emerald Bay, participants will discuss the geologic history of the basin which includes earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, and vast rivers of ice. The guided hike will last approximately 4 hours along rugged single-track trail, hugging the west shore of Lake Tahoe. Participants are asked to bring sun protection, plenty of water, snacks, and the bag lunch provided by the conference.
Check-in and meet in the parking lot in front of the Main Lodge. Drive to the Lighthouse trailhead at DL Bliss State Park. Participants are responsible for the park entrance fee. Maximum number of participants is 35.
FT7 Prescribed Burning in the Tahoe Basin
10:30 AM-3:00 PM - plan to be at the meeting place at 10:15 AM so we can depart at 10:30 AM.
Level of Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Tour Leader: Susie Kocher, Forestry Advisor, UC Cooperative Extension
Join Susie on this half-day tour to visit Tahoe basin parks and communities where prescribed fire has been used and learn more about the use of this critical tool in managing forests in the Tahoe basin. The group will visit two locations: Sugar Pine Point State Park and Incline Village, NV.
Check-in and meet in the parking lot in front of the Main Lodge for 15-minute drive to Sugar Pine Point State Park, Group Campground parking lot at 10:45 AM. Maximum number of participants is 30.
FT8 Walking Tour of Tahoe City - UPDATED
11:00 AM-12:30 PM
Level of Difficulty: Easy with stairs and short downhill grade
Tour Leader: CA Naturalist Staff (no longer the Historial Society)
Join an informal tour of the lakeshore near Tahoe City to local parks and sites.
Check-in and meet in the parking lot in front of the Main Lodge for a drive to Tahoe City. The tour ends at the Gatekeeper's Museum which is approximately 1 mile long. Maximum number of participants is 35.
FT9 Field Trip to Sagehen Creek Field Station - NOW FULL!
12 Noon-2:00 PM
Level of Difficulty: Hard
Tour Leaders: Lynn Hori, UC Berkeley Sagehen Creek Field Station Natural Reserve System
Join this exclusive tour of the UC Berkeley, Sagehen Creek Field Station which is part of the UC Natural Reserve System. Participants will learn about ongoing research. Please be willing to walk at least a half a mile and bring water and snacks. Unfortunately, the terrain is not amenable to walkers and wheelchairs. This is a free field trip, but voluntary donations of $10 are welcome.
Check-in and meet in the parking lot in front of the Main Lodge for drive to Sagehen Creek Field Station, 11616 Sage Hen Rd, Truckee, CA. Maximum number of participants is 15.