Tahoe Rim Trail to Christmas Valley Trail

Overview

Pick up the TRT across the road from the Big Meadow Campground. <br><br>TRT starts rocky and technical but mellows out some after about half a mile. Continue up to the meadow, stay right at the trailhead, then climb for another mile or so. The trail eventually summits and begins some switchbacks with excellent alpine views. Follow this to an intersection for trails leading to the Lakes, do an out-and-back by going left on the Tahoe Rim Trail: Big Meadow - PCT to Round Lake (see Xmas Valley Epic), or take the trail to the right (Lk Valley) for the Christmas Valley Trail. <br><br>The Christmas Valley Trail is excellent - rocky at times, technical, but generally rideable with low consequences. It's well worth the climb and goes for quite a while. When you get out of the singletrack, it's a bit of a climb on the road back to the parking area.

Trail Stats

Photos

Some challenging but rideable steps

Some challenging but rideable steps

Almost to the bottom of the Christmas Valley Trail.

Almost to the bottom of the Christmas Valley Trail.

Through the meadow, one more climb to go.

Through the meadow, one more climb to go.

The meadow view after the climb and before the descent.

The meadow view after the climb and before the descent.

Wildflowers blooming on the TRT

Wildflowers blooming on the TRT

Climbing up Xmas Valley

Climbing up Xmas Valley

Great view from Christmas Valley Trail

Great view from Christmas Valley Trail

Passing through Big Meadow

Passing through Big Meadow

Christmas Valley Trail, through an old burn.

Christmas Valley Trail, through an old burn.

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