Cross-Country Skiing with Dogs in the Tahoe Region (updated 2019)

With hundreds of kilometers of groomed cross-country ski trails around the Lake Tahoe region, it can come as a bit of a shock how few of those kilometers are dog friendly.  Here's a round-up of the best options I've found in the area.

Samuel H Boardman Scenic Corridor (Oregon)

Near: Crescent City, CA
Distance: Up to 12 miles, but the ocean is within a few hundred yards of all parking areas.
Elevation: 0 - 100 feet
Vegetation: Mix of pine and deciduous forest
Last visit: January 2019

A natural rock bridge along the Samuel H Boardman Scenic Corridor

The Samuel H Boardman Scenic Corridor is a narrow strip of land between US 101 and the ocean just north of the Oregon/California border.  Technically you can hike or run as far as 12 miles one-way through the corridor, but most will opt for much shorter trips.  Sadly, the trail between several sections travels directly along the highway, where fast moving traffic spoils the magic on what would otherwise be an epic coastal hike or run.  The corridor is best experienced as a short outing from one of the many small trailheads along 101.  The trails lead through a wooded strip of land to a beautiful series of rocky bluffs and beaches.  We particularly enjoyed the natural rock bridges near the northern end of the corridor.  We took in this section as a trail run, so I left the camera behind and only snapped some pictures from near the car.  The pictures accompanying this post do not do the area justice at all.  It's one of the most scenic bits of coastline I've found in California or Oregon.

Ralston Peak

Near: Echo Summit
Length: 7 Miles
Elevation: 6,400 - 9,200 feet
Vegetation: Pine Forest and Scrubby Meadows
Last Visit: November 2018

The summit of Ralston Peak overlooking Ralston, Tamarack, and Echo Lakes with Mt Tallac and Lake Tahoe in the distance.

Ralston Peak is one of the best 'bang for your buck' hikes in California.  The trailhead is right on US 50 between Kyburz and Echo Summit, making it a relatively direct drive.  It's a nearly 3,000 foot ascent to the summit, but the trail doesn't mess around, reaching the peak in under 4 miles (actually just 3 miles if you take a more direct use-trail on the final climb).  The summit is easily reached without any rock scrambling and provides fantastic views in all directions.  Given all that, I'm a bit surprised this trail isn't completely overrun with hikers.  Likely the steep ascent and a lack of many views on the lower slopes keep away most of the less energetic crowd, opting instead for the often crowded Horsetail Falls trail nearby.  The falls aren't visible from the summit, but we found a secret overlook just off the trail from which you can just see them.