Chickadee Ridge

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Features Birding · Views · Wildflowers

This beautiful run starts at the popular Tahoe Meadows Trail and follows the TRT: Tahoe Meadows to Spooner Summit section about 2 miles to Chickadee Ridge, climbing gently to the base of the peak locally known as Jessie's Peak. It's possible to complete a short class 2 scramble to the top of the peak, which some folks choose to do.

This route is popular, so if you choose to run, be sure to get out either during the week or early in the morning to avoid crowds.

Start along the boardwalk through the meadow from the trailhead, and continue along, following signs to the Tahoe Rim Trail. You'll enter the forest and continue gently uphill for about 1.5 miles. You'll pass the Ophir Creek Trail branching off to your left as you continue along Chickadee Ridge. If you were to turn onto that trail, you'd be in for a steep descent down towards Price Lake - it's a nice way to add more scenery and distance, but it's a steep trail.

Along the ridge, enjoy remarkable views across Lake Tahoe, and the mountains beyond to the west. From here, you can continue as far as you'd like, and simply retrace your steps back to the trailhead. Or, from just about any point on the ridge, just before it trends downward, scramble up to the relatively easy summit over large boulders.