Ward Canyon to Paige Meadows is an easy 1.4-mile round trip hike that works well if you want something short but scenic without too much elevation gain. You’ll start at the Ward Creek Boulevard Trailhead, which sits off Highway 89 about 2.5 miles south of Tahoe City—turn right if you’re coming from the north, left if you’re coming from the south, then drive 2.5 miles until you spot a small TRT kiosk marking the trailhead.

The first 0.2 miles head east before the trail joins a northwest-climbing dirt road. That’s where things get steeper. You’ll climb for about half a mile through thick forest of white fir and Jeffrey pine, which means decent shade on warm days. Near the hilltop, the trees open up enough to see Ward Canyon, Ward Peak, and the Sherwood Chairlift over at Alpine Meadows—a good spot to catch your breath and take photos.

When you reach the next dirt road intersection, turn left to stay on the Tahoe Rim Trail. The destination itself is Paige Meadows, which isn’t actually one meadow but a series of five interconnected ones. In spring you’ll see wildflowers scattered throughout. Come fall, the aspens turn golden and create those colorful drifts against the green conifers. Even in summer and winter, the mountain views are solid from the meadows.

This section of the Tahoe Rim Trail welcomes hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians, so don’t be surprised if you encounter any of those on your way up. The meadows are genuinely fragile ecosystems, so staying on the trail isn’t just a suggestion—it’s important for keeping the area healthy for everyone who visits. Once you’ve explored the meadows, you simply retrace your steps back down to the trailhead. The whole loop takes about an hour depending on how long you linger at the top.