[Yody]

Going up to Tahoe on Saturday and trying to figure out which trails me and a friend should ride.

I'm thinking either doing the TRT to Toads, or just doing Toads and then doing a loop or two of sidewinder. Just wondering if that part of the TRT trail is any good or if its just mild xc riding? You start the TRT at Heavenly and end up traveling to armstrong pass and descending Toads (or something along those lines). Either way we're gonna bring 2 cars, so if we do Toads we'll shuttle as high as we can go, pedal the rest, and then come back down toads, and do 2 shuttles of sidewinder.

Any suggestions?

FYI I've never ridden any of these places.

 

[benjaminj]

Any suggestions?

FYI I've never ridden any of these places.

TRT worth riding?! OH YES.
One of the best rides in Tahoe is starting at Stagecoach lodge and ride out to Star Lake, Freel Peak, Armstong Pass, the continue on to Toads. It's an amazing ride and perfect right now with only one small patch of snow near Freel. Allow 4-6 hours.

Or you could go shorter and just ride up Armstong Trail above Corral then up and over to Toads (maybe 2 hours).

 

[Wherewolf]

Punisher

You start the TRT at Heavenly and end up traveling to armstrong pass and descending Toads (or something along those lines). Either way we're gonna bring 2 cars, so if we do Toads we'll shuttle as high as we can go, pedal the rest, and then come back down toads, and do 2 shuttles of sidewinder.

TRT from Heavenly down Toads is called "The Punisher" for good reason. You climb up to nearly 10,000 ft. A good bit of hike-a-bike for me, but well worth it. My first ride report here: http://arnica.csustan.edu/mtbike/Punisher/

 

[nutballchamp]

Best way to shuttle Toads for the most downhill is to start at Luther pass which is around the corner from the Big Meadow parking area. Ride to Scott's Lake, drop down to Big Meadow, and up TRT to Toads. TahoeBC describes the singletrack from Luther to Scott's here.

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=631673

 

[amydalayna]

There is no way that Stagecoach to Toad's is 10k feet of climbing. Just rode it this morning. And continued to ride from Oneidas out to Trout Creek and back to my home.
Stats:
Elevation Gain: 3,733 ft
Elevation Loss: 5,113 ft
Min Elevation: 6,252 ft
Max Elevation: 9,735 ft
Distance: 31.91 mi

 

[TahoeBC]

Think Wherewolf meant you get close to 10K for a max altitude.

 

[Yody]

Shuttled the paved road, and rode the dirt to toads and back, then shuttled up to armstrong again, and did armstrong, sidewinder, and corral twice. Awesome day!

 

[d-bug]

Shuttled the paved road, and rode the dirt to toads and back, then shuttled up to armstrong again, and did armstrong, sidewinder, and corral twice. Awesome day!

Those are the best trails in Tahoe IMO. Love that area.

 

[Wherewolf]

Read it again

There is no way that Stagecoach to Toad's is 10k feet of climbing. Just rode it this morning.

"You climb up to nearly 10,000 ft." How high is Armstrong Pass?

 

[dstepper]

How high is Armstrong Pass?

8720ft. Not the high spot on that ride.

 

[Wherewolf]

Correct

8720ft. Not the high spot on that ride.

Now tell me the elevation of Freel Pass?

 

[Jayem]

Now tell me the elevation of Freel Pass?

20,000 leagues.

 

[dstepper]

Now tell me the elevation of Freel Pass?

Freel Peak 10,881
Freel Pass right around 9,500.

 

[derby]

Do the TRT from Heavenly backside to Toads someday. Not for the weak of lung, climbing to near 11,000 ft., above timberline. The most epic part of the TRT.

 

[Yody]

Do the TRT from Heavenly backside to Toads someday. Not for the weak of lung, climbing to near 11,000 ft., above timberline. The most epic part of the TRT.

Yeah thats what I was asking about. Sounds epic but at that elevation I think it would turn into a suffer-fest rather than fun. I just wanna do the super fun DH more than the cross country expeditions :thumbsup:

 

[amydalayna]

Riding the TRT from the backside of Heavenly to Toad's is not as horrible as everyone keeps saying it is. Just go steady and bring lots of water. Or bring a filter and fill up at Star Lake. The best part is that if you get tired along the way and change your mind you can drop in at different spots.... Cold Creek or Armstrong.

 

[nutballchamp]

The crux is the first half mile, altitude and sand. I did the Monarch Crest Trail in CO recently which is 35 miles and it's an easier ride. I think it has about the same vertical gain but no sand or hike and bike.

Riding the TRT from the backside of Heavenly to Toad's is not as horrible as everyone keeps saying it is. Just go steady and bring lots of water. Or bring a filter and fill up at Star Lake. The best part is that if you get tired along the way and change your mind you can drop in at different spots.... Cold Creek or Armstrong.

 

[amydalayna]

The crux is the first half mile, altitude and sand. I did the Monarch Crest Trail in CO recently which is 35 miles and it's an easier ride. I think it has about the same vertical gain but no sand or hike and bike.

You can just ride the fireroad up the rim trail. It cuts out the first section that's steep and sandy and also the section of hike a bike on the rim trail.

 

[grrrah]

To answer the original question, YES, its worth riding. At least once. Personally I'd rather do the Armstrong loop + some bonus like Corral/Sidewinder. But if you haven't ridden it, then do it.

If I were riding up there consistently, then I would do the Punisher ride about 1 out of every 4-5 toads rides.

 

[nutballchamp]

You can just ride the fireroad up the rim trail. It cuts out the first section that's steep and sandy and also the section of hike a bike on the rim trail.

I always skip the steep fireroad at the chairlift by riding up the paved road and through the gate. Where do you catch the fireroad that skips the bike and hike at the start of TRT?