Kingsbury South to Star Lake is 17.6 miles round trip and rated difficult.
Location:
The Kingsbury South trailhead is at the Heavenly Stagecoach parking lot. Take Highway 207 (Kingsbury Grade) toward the pass (i.e. east from the lake and west from Genoa). At the pass, turn onto Tramway Drive and follow signs for Heavenly Stagecoach parking. Look for the Tahoe Rim Trail bulletin board and trail sign at the south end of the parking lot underneath the Stagecoach chairlift.
This part of the trail is open to hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians.
For the first two miles, you will travel on a mix of steep sections, gentle switchbacks, and short dirt road stints, all through a forest of red fires and Jeffrey pines, over saddles and under Heavenly ski lifts.
After 2 miles you cross Daggett Creek, and begin a 2.5-mile gentle climb through a more open forest with views to the east of Carson Valley and the ranges beyond.
The trail follows a maintenance road for a short but steep descent into Mott Canyon, under another ski lift and over another creek.
After 5 miles you reach Monument Pass and cross from the Carson side of the ridge to the Tahoe side.
The next 2 miles are a gentle sandy path with mostly open terrain and dramatic views of Freel Peak.
For the final 1.8 miles, the TRT rises to lovely Star Lake at the base of Job’s Sister through a fairly thick tree cover. Relax and enjoy the cool lake water, but make sure to leave enough time for your return hike.
