Winter hiking in Tahoe

Sometimes you just want to walk the dog, not make a big, equipment-heavy production of it. At Tahoe, warm boots should suffice on most winter days if you stay around lake level, where snow comes and goes throughout the season.

Days when there’s no snow at lake level are ideal for easy hikes such as the 3-mile in-and-out trek to Skunk Harbor, an idyllic cove about 2.5 miles north of Spooner Summit on Highway 28.

Another option is Van Sickle Bi-State Park in South Lake Tahoe, which features a trail that passes under the Heavenly Mountain Resort gondola lift line before zig-zagging to a higher altitude. On the North Shore, the Tahoe City Lakeside Trail is a waterfront promenade set about with plazas and picnic areas. It’s about as perfect as it gets for a scenic stroll.