Pony Express Trail (XP) and Lovers Leap Trail

Overview

Exceptional trail follows Highway 50 but is generally far enough from the highway for quiet, scenic experience, making this one of the better cross-country rides in the Tahoe area.<br><br>The trail takes you from the Tahoe rim along the south side of Highway 50, then jogs over Hwy 50 at Strawberry where it parallels the highway down to Kyburz.<br><br> **The ride along the N Side of Hwy 50 is a mix of logging roads and singletrack. It is extremely easy to go off trail and there are a lot of trail obstacles (Trees). The last 3 miles to Kyburz is heavily overgrown but still very rideable.** <br><br>To ride it out-and-back, it's recommended you do either just the best section is Echo Summit to Lover's Leap out and back, or brave the highway to climb up and do it as a loop.<br><br>If you're driving in a group over highway 50 get dropped off at Echo Summit and have them go for a short hike and meet you 2-3 hrs later in Kyburz!<br><br>Recommended adjacent trails: Hawley Grade connection. Also note that from the West Bowl of Sierra-at-Tahoe you can connect with Sayles Canyon trail.

Trail Stats

Photos

Descent to Kyburz

Descent to Kyburz

Trails in there somewhere

Trails in there somewhere

I really need to take better pictures...

I really need to take better pictures...

Start of Lovers Leap Descent

Start of Lovers Leap Descent

Views on the Ascent

Views on the Ascent

Yes theres a trail in there!

Yes theres a trail in there!

Lovers Leap Trail

Lovers Leap Trail

Comfort Crossing

Comfort Crossing

N50 Singletrack

N50 Singletrack

Climbers! Dont throw rocks off the cliff.

Climbers! Dont throw rocks off the cliff.

View from some rocks in the lower portion of the trail. Cool view of the Silver Fork meeting the South Fork of the American River. What kind of dummy rides a single speed on this trail? This dummy. Bring a machete!

View from some rocks in the lower portion of the trail. Cool view of the Silver Fork meeting the South Fork of the American River. What kind of dummy rides a single speed on this trail? This dummy. Bring a machete!

Lovers Leap Vista

Lovers Leap Vista

Fast descent... know that hikers and equestrians come up this trail!

Fast descent... know that hikers and equestrians come up this trail!

Approaching a nice bridge on the Pony XP

Approaching a nice bridge on the Pony XP

Final hike-a-bike on Pony XP before reaching the top of Lovers Leap. (Not very long)

Final hike-a-bike on Pony XP before reaching the top of Lovers Leap. (Not very long)

final push!

final push!

Flowers in bloom

Flowers in bloom

PonyExpress green room

PonyExpress green room

Pony Express (XP) Trail

Pony Express (XP) Trail

Finish with a soak in the river... with your favorite beverage wrapped in an IMBA coozie :-)

Finish with a soak in the river... with your favorite beverage wrapped in an IMBA coozie :-)

Pony Express Trail fun

Pony Express Trail fun

Big rocks off Pony XP in Huckleberry Canyon

Big rocks off Pony XP in Huckleberry Canyon

Don't try this at home!

Don't try this at home!

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