Ways to Find Your Zen Zone in Truckee Tahoe
There’s nothing like settling into the month of January and assessing whether or not you’re honoring yourself and your resolutions. It is not a bad idea to start the new year off right, by setting intentions, perfecting healthy habits, and eliminating things no longer serving you. We hold the mindset that by setting realistic expectations and by focusing on the positive feelings you desire, you’ll have an easier time manifesting what you want. Finding your zen zone creates the space to be able to adhere to resolutions, implement law of attraction techniques, and begin the positive manifestation process. Often our techniques and ways of creating space for what we want in our lives can be convoluted by the judgment of ourselves or from others, distractions, and feelings of fear, shame, or doubt.
A quick way to avoid low vibration thinking is to spend time in nature. Currently, in Truckee-Tahoe we are so blessed to have a great snowpack so far this winter. And after a very snowy December, we’ve experienced a bit of a dry pattern and lots of beautiful sunny weather! The most current Tahoe Donner Snowfall Tracker shows that as of today we have a cumulative snow total report of 242 inches. Palisades Tahoe Snowfall Tracker is reporting 86 total inches at 6200 feet and 270” at an elevation of 8000 feet. There is abundant snow to play in and surely more on the way. Whether you live in Truckee/ Tahoe or are planning to visit there is plenty of healthy fun to be had here.
Here are some of our “get into your zen zone recommendations:"
Snowshoeing to Chickadee Ridge
This incredibly scenic hike off of the Tahoe Rim Trail is a perfect snowshoe in the wintertime. We suggest you bring birdseed.. The trail provides amazing views from above Lake Tahoe, a big sledding hill, and little Chickadee birds that eat birdseed right out of your hand. Though the hike is spectacular all year long, we do suggest bringing snowshoes in the wintertime.
Keep in mind that because we have already had so much snow the trail signs may be hard to find, but finding your way to Chickadee Ridge is really pretty easy. From the trailhead parking lot, head southeast into the big open Tahoe Meadows. The ridgeline to your right (southwest) is where you are headed. During the summer, the trail is marked as part of the Tahoe Rim Trail with signs also for the Meadow Loops and Ophir Creek Trail. Continue to head southwest and toward the top of the ridgeline to the west and you will make it to Chickadee Ridge in a little less than 2 miles.
Once you catch the first views of Lake Tahoe, get your birdseed ready, be on the lookout for Chickadees soaring tree to tree and listen for their CHEESE-BURG-EER song. Spread a little seed in your open palm and soon enough you’ll have them eating out of your hand.
Cross-country skiing at Royal Gorge
Getting in your zen zone is very easy to do while on one of 92 open trails at Royal Gorge. If you find snowboarding, skiing or the crowds or the crowds intimidating try cross country, skate skiing or snowshoeing at Royal Gorge. The largest cross-country ski area in North America, Royal Gorge is known for its sweeping views of the Northern Sierra and eight distinct trail systems with 8 warming huts along the way.
Dogs are welcome so be sure to take this opportunity to exercise your pup! Get out on the trails, wind around sugar pines at a comfortable speed, and see untouched parts of the lake! Royal Gorge Website
Take a backcountry excursion to the Bradley or Peter Grubb Huts
Avoid the crowds, get out on an outdoor excursion to either of the two open backcountry huts, the Badley or Peter Grubb. The Bradley Hut is one of the Sierra Club's network of backcountry huts located throughout the northern Sierra. The hut is minimal and set to provide adventurers with a great overnight spot to break up a ski or snowshoe trek, or a base from which to explore the area's backcountry terrain and ski bowls.
Access is from the 5-mile long Pole Creek Ski and Snowshoe Trail. Access is from the 5-mile long which requires about 1,600 feet in climbing to reach, making it one of the harder of the backcountry huts to access, which may work in your favor with the likelihood of seeing less visitors through the season. The hut is open for overnight visitors typically from October until May, depending on snow conditions.
A meadow and access to several smaller ski bowls sit immediately north of the Bradley Hut, while more advanced backcountry skiing on Silver Peak and the Granite Chief Wilderness is also accessible by snow. d the Granite Chief Wilderness are also in the accessible vicinity.
Good snow can also be found in Deep Creek, the next drainage north. Some travelers link Bradley with Benson Hut, about four miles north, when conditions are favorable.
Peter Grubb Hut is located below Castle Peak in Round Valley, 3 miles north of the Castle Peak trailhead near I-80. Expect approximately 800′ of elevation gain. The route is poorly marked by orange triangles mounted obscurely in trees at 100-200 yard intervals. Overnight parking is available at the California Sno-Park at the Boreal-Castle Peak exit on I-80. Park on the frontage road east of the Boreal Inn and walk back under the freeway to the trailhead. Topo map: Norden 7-1/2′ quad.
There are day-trip possibilities to Paradise Valley, Basin Peak, Castle Peak, and Sand Ridge Lake. Round Valley is a good instructional and practice area for skiers. The hut is just off the Pacific Crest Trail and is a popular destination for day-trippers; daytime privacy and security are minimal.