Mother Nature is in the giving spirit. Tahoe Ski Resorts are reporting over 100″ of snowfall for the year as of December 12th. Keep those snow dances coming!

Looking for a unique gift idea? Tahoe Timber offers watches, glasses, wallets, and more. All Tahoe Timber products are sourced from renewable and reclaimed materials, and crafted into quality products.

For the entire month of December, Tahoe Timber will be donating 5% of all online sales to the Tahoe Fund’s Smartest Forest Fund.

The Tahoe Fund wants to make Tahoe’s forest the Smartest Forest on the Planet, because we believe through innovation and technology we can significantly increase the pace and scale of forest restoration in the Tahoe Basin.

The snowpack is back! The snowpack in Tahoe is now is twice the average of a typical Dec 5th according to SNOTEL data from our friends at NRCS. This day last year, the snowpack was 173% of average.

Thanksgiving is a great time for family hikes in Tahoe, especially in newly fallen snow. Sometimes it can be hard to find a hike that suits the needs of a whole family. Here are three great family trail options for the young and old, or cautious and bold.

Monkey Rock Trail

Of course we recommend the new East Shore Trail for a family-friendly stroll, but if you are looking for

something a little off the beaten path we recommend Monkey Rock. Named for a well know monkey-shaped rock that perches high above Incline Village, this trail features stunning views of Lake Tahoe, with an added attraction that the family can enjoy. The trailhead is located just off of the new East Shore Trail and next to the Tunnel Creek Café, a great place to grab a bite before heading off. Make sure to bring a camera, Monkey Rock paints an iconic scene of Tahoe’s unique collaboration between the mountains and the Lake.

• Open: Year-round access
• Parking: Park in the new East Shore Trail parking lots and walk up the road behind the Tunnel Creek Café. After a small but steep walk up the road the dirt trail begins with an immediate pay-off of stunning views.
• Distance: 2.6-mile out and back.
• Difficulty: Easy to Medium- the hike is short but there is a steep section that may require a little extra motivation. The views are worth it!
• Dogs: Permitted if on a leash

Rubicon- Lighthouse Trail at Bliss State Park

Tahoe Fund partnered with California State Parks to build a new section

of the Lighthouse Trail that merges with the iconic Rubicon Trail. Accessed from within Bliss State Park, the trail offers a short hike to stunning views from the West Shore of Tahoe. Stop along the way at the new vista point and benches, and make sure to check out the old Rubicon Lighthouse, once the highest elevation lighthouse in the world.

• Open: Year-round, April and September are the best times to go
• Parking: During the summer season there is a $10 entrance fee for vehicles at Bliss State Park. During the off-season, which is weather dependent, the gates are closed and parking will be located at the parking lot near the highway 89 visitors center, just a mile from the closest Rubicon trail head.
• Distance: .5 mile and connects to Rubicon Trail for a longer hike
• Difficulty: Easy
• Dogs: Permitted if on a leash

Spooner Lake Trail

Whether looking for a place to bike, hike, fish, or take in nature at your own pace, Spooner Lake State Park offers the perfect backdrop to do just this. Spooner Lake serves as an educational and recreation paradise that allows for a quieter, more tranquil experience of Tahoe, while also being a gateway to more than 60 miles of backcountry trails including the famous Flume Trail and Marlette Lake. The heart of the park features a family-friendly trail around Spooner Lake that is flat and offers many benches for unhindered views of the lake. The Tahoe Fund has teamed up with Nevada State Parks to envision a revamped the trailhead with the addition of an amphitheater. Information about donations and project renderings can be found here.

• Open: Year-round access
• Parking: There is a $10 entrance fee for drive-ins, with a $2 entrance fee for walk-ins.
• Distance: 2.5-mile loop
• Difficulty: Easy
• Dogs: Permitted if on a leash

With these trails in mind, get out and make your Tahoe Thanksgiving one to remember!

Our favorite Tahoe holiday tradition is back, and it’s about more than cutting trees. Starting November 25^th, the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit will be granting tree-cutting permits to the general public. This program allows for a great family experience, while taking the smaller trees that cause excess vegetation and increase fire danger.

Here are a few specifics to know before applying for a permit this year.

Where to purchase a permit?
Christmas tree permits will be sold at two locations this year:

1. Forest Supervisor’s Office, 35 College Drive, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150.
   • Open: Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays.
2. North Lake Tahoe Visitor Center, 100 N. Lake Blvd., Tahoe City, CA 96145.
   • Open: Seven days a week from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., excluding Christmas Day.

How much do permits cost?

• Each permit will cost $10, payable by cash, check, or credit card.

How many permits are given out?

• This year the USDA will be limiting permits to one per family.

Permit Specifics

• Available: starting Monday November 25 and can be purchased up until December 31 to allow time for military families that have to celebrate the holidays late.
• Tree Types: Pine, Cedar, or Fir
• Tree Size: The tree must be no larger than 6 inches in diameter at the base and no more than 10 feet from another tree (tape measure is provided with the permit).
• Where to cut: Maps will be provided when given the permit.
• How to cut: Must remove tree from the base, leaving no more than 6 inches of stump.
• Before you leave: Tag the tree before exiting the area.

Every Kid Outdoors Program

• Through the “Every Kid Outdoors Program,” fourth-grade students can obtain a free Christmas tree permit by bringing a valid Every Kid Outdoors pass.
• The permits for Every Kid Outdoors Program are only available at the South Lake Tahoe location.
• For more information about this program, visit https://everykidoutdoors.gov/index.htm.

Important

• It is important to understand that travel is weather dependent in Tahoe.
• Before heading out to your tree-cutting destination, notify people where you are going and always check the weather report; never cut trees in conditions that are wet and windy.

For more information, please visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/ltbmu/ChristmasTreePermits