I need help with my vacation near Truckee this weekend, please! (Oakland: home, movies)

[SandyCo]

I should have known that a great deal never really is that great! I'm staying at Northstar, a very nice resort six miles from Truckee. However, because I'm going there this weekend (technically the "shoulder season" between summer and winter), staying overnight Saturday and Sunday, many activities there are closed, including the hiking trails, roller skating, the golf course, etc. I'm thinking of broadening my horizons and driving to Truckee or even Reno just for something to do! I'm willing to drive an hour one way, if that helps.

Any ideas would be welcome! Of course, I can always bring my Kindle and some DVDs, but I can read and watch movies comfortably here at home. Thanks in advance to anyone who responds.

[Snort]

Lake Tahoe. You're right there. The trails were open a week and a half ago. I don't know why they'd close them now. Check out Squaw Valley. Go lose money at the casinos in Stateline. If you're into Western lore, you could head down to Nevada and visit Virginia City. It's a bit of a long way to go, but maybe that's your thing. There's a nice little village called Genoa, which is a bit closer and worth a short stop, if you do head down the hill. It's just a crossroads, but there's a state park commemorating the Mormon settlement (either the first or second settlement in Nevada). The lift tickets for sightseeing are exorbitantly expensive, but if you're okay with parting with $32, you can go to the top. I think that's what the price was.

[SandyCo]

Thank you! All of your suggestions are very helpful. I tend to be scared of heights, so I doubt I'll be taking a ski lift any time soon, but you never know. I'm very grateful that the weather will be good, as I have no desire to deal with chains, snow, ice, etc. The hiking trails at Northstar are closed because they're wet and muddy from the recent snowfall that just melted.

[.highnlite]

Drive out of Northstar, turn right, drive to just before the top of Brockway summit, turn left onto the dirt road, park, hike to Martis Peak Fire lookout. You might stop at the Forest Service office in Truckee and get a map.

drive to Donner State Park, visit the museum and walk the trail past the old Donner tragedy sites, bicycle around the lake, about 6 miles.

Drive north on 89 2 miles north of I80 stop at the Donner picnic ground and hike the trail to where the Donners camped (The Donners did not make it to Donner Lake)

Continue another mile, turn in at Hobart Mills, ride the emigrant trail, it heads out to Stampede Lake, is an intermediate single track,

Go to Squaw Valley, take the Shirley Canyon trail, it starts behind the Fire house. Lovely granite canyon, you can hike to Shirley lake.

Remember that mornings will be cool but the days should warm up nice, take layers.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

A nice and unusual walk is found in the micro desert in the middle of Martis Valley (Corps of Eng lands). There is a little reservoir there (drained down to a small footprint due to discovery a fault under the dam). For golf, the little course along Brockway Rd behind "The Rocks" retail development ought to be open for business.

[.highnlite]

and of course, the old indian habitation cave across Martis dam and up the hill to the right!

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Originally Posted by .highnlite

and of course, the old indian habitation cave across Martis dam and up the hill to the right!

Yup.

[Hawk J]

Sandy, you can take a drive over to Reno, & have a good time.

What we did years ago is take the train from Oakland (round trip)to Reno in winter. It was a beautiful trip, using the observation car on top. We rented a car in Reno, & took our young'uns to play in the snow & build a snowman, over by Truckee. Had a great time.

[Idunn]

You shouldn't run out of interesting activities if willing to travel some.

I'll second the notion of visiting Lake Tahoe. Always a scenic and lovely lake. As mentioned, a visit to Squaw Valley can be pleasant, and only a slight detour if headed south. There are many lovely vantages around Lake Tahoe if choosing to circumnavigate it, but just choosing to continue south along the western shore is a nice drive, and likely distinctly less crowded with traffic than in summer. Areas of interest would include Emerald Bay, which is simply beautiful, even if viewed from the vantages along the road high above it. There is also, for those so disposed, a hiking trail leading well up from there into the Desolation Wilderness (being far more scenic than it sounds).

Just a long loop around from there is South Lake Tahoe, and a few good choices in casinos if liking such things. Also the possibility of a sumptuous buffet (with view), if hungry. Conversely, the Cal-Neva Lodge & Casino on the north shore of Lake Tahoe is very old school if one has an interest in history. Once a hang out for Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack, the original portion of this wooden building looks very much like a lodge, massive stone fireplace and all. The large room is divided down the middle by a line denoting the demarcation between California and Nevada, with this line continued as well across the middle of the kidney shaped swimming pool outside.

But from South Lake Tahoe one also has the option of two passes across the eastern mountains flanking Lake Tahoe, to cross into Nevada. It is a fairly wide and verdant valley by Nevada standards. Attractions could include other casinos in Carson City, or a bit farther east the formerly prosperous Virginia City as ghost town that has refused to die. Farther north of course lies Reno, and perhaps one grand loop back to where one began.

With dry roads and temperate weather it could be a great trip. If snowing -- maybe remain home and build a snowman.

[SandyCo]

Thanks, everyone! Rep points to all. On the way back, I'm staying at Mammoth for two days, so that should be interesting as well. However, at least I know that Bishop isn't that far away (if I don't mind driving up and down that grade) if I yearn for a city!