Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit

Pickupsticks–Tahoe Rim Trail, 3 sights

16.1 mi · ▲ 2,966 ft · 6 hr 51 min

Pickupsticks–Tahoe Rim Trail, 3 sights is a 16.1-mile out-and-back in Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit near Kingswood Estates, CA. It climbs 2,966 ft, with sections as steep as 19% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 56/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi6,936 – 8,442 ft · steepest grade: 19%16.8 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Martis Peak Road 39.28668, -120.03317
Nearest town Kingswood Estates, CA

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Pickupsticks–Tahoe Rim Trail, 3 sights

16.1 mi · ▲ 2,966 ft · 6 hr 51 min

Elevation 6,936–8,442 ft

Out & Back · Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit

Trailhead: Martis Peak Road · 39.28668, -120.03317

Weather Sep 21: Overcast, high 63°F / low 45° · precip 9% · wind 10 mph · sunrise 6:48 AM · sunset 7:00 PM

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading NW.
  2. 0.6 miBear left, heading SW.
  3. 0.4 miTurn right, heading W.
  4. 50 ftBear left, heading W.
  5. 0.2 miTurn left, heading W.
  6. 250 ftTurn right, heading NW.
  7. 150 ftBear left, heading SW.
  8. 0.3 miTurn left, heading SE.
  9. 0.2 miBear right onto Tahoe Rim Trail, heading E.
  10. 2.2 miSharp right, heading SW.
  11. 3.8 miTurn left, heading W.
  12. 150 ftSharp left onto Hanes Flat, heading W.
  13. 100 ftTurn right onto Watson Creek East Trail, heading SW.
  14. 500 ftTurn left onto Pickupsticks, heading SW.
  15. 0.2 miReach Tahoe Rim Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  16. 0.2 miTurn right onto Watson Creek East Trail, heading E.
  17. 0.1 miTurn left onto Hanes Flat, heading E.
  18. 50 ftSharp right, heading SE.
  19. 150 ftTurn right onto Tahoe Rim Trail, heading SE.
  20. 3.8 miSharp left, heading SE.
  21. 1.3 miBear left, heading NE.
  22. 0.9 miBear left, heading NE.
  23. 0.2 miTurn right, heading NW.
  24. 0.3 miBear right, heading NW.
  25. 150 ftTurn left, heading W.
  26. 250 ftTurn right, heading W.
  27. 0.2 miBear right, heading NW.
  28. 100 ftTurn left, heading NW.
  29. 0.4 miBear right, heading SE.
  30. 0.6 miArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail surface

97% dirt3% unspecified

Weather

OvercastTemperature 63°F45°
Precip9%Wind10 mphUV6Humidity57%
Hourly temperature
65°45°
Sunrise 6:48 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM9 PMSunset 7:00 PM
Tue 62°43°
Wed 70°45°
Thu 66°43°
Fri 61°39°
Sat 64°39°
Sun 58°34°

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Other ways to reach this destination

More from Martis Peak Road Trailhead