Sporty Sunday: Hiking Five Lakes

I’m trying not to let the dreary weather (low clouds and drizzle) and smoke (from the King fire) color my opinion of this hike. If it had been a sunny day in early June, I might have liked it better, but that would have also been due to the fresh green vegetation and wildflowers. On a smokey, sprinkly, September Sunday, though, the hillsides were brown, dry, and dusty. The rock formations were the walk’s most interesting feature.

Most of the hike traverses a slope of Alpine Meadows ski resort near Lake Tahoe. Even on a clear day, though, I don’t think the lake is visible. Instead, there are views of vacation homes, the ski resort, and some admittedly stunning granite folds.


It’s uphill nearly all the way (1000 vertical feet) to the underwhelming five lakes, warranting a difficulty rating of “moderate” from Best Dog Hikes Northern California. If you’re staying in the Tahoe City area during the non-snow season, this is an easily accessible, dog-friendly hike to pump up your heart rate on the way up and then burn your quads on the way down.

Source: Mullally, Linda B. and Mullally, David S. "Five Lakes Hike." Best Dog Hikes Northern California. Morris Book Publishing, 2014. Print.

Length: 4.8 miles

Water: The trail is dry except for the destination lakes.

Use: Moderate to heavy. We saw no one on the trail this day, but the proximity of the hike to recreation areas and the width of the path suggest heavy use during the summer season.

Differences from published description: None . . . in fact the book gives excellent directions to the trailhead, a thorough description of the hike, and detailed commentary regarding the appropriateness of dogs in this area.

Jasper’s rating: 3 paws out of 5.

Sporty Sunday is a recurring feature in which I share my fitness routine and offer and solicit advice. While this content might seem a little out of place in an outfit diary, a healthy, strong body is the foundation of my wardrobe. I hope to inspire my readers to be fit as well as stylish!