Cold Creek Trail 18E06

Cold Creek: unnamed waterfalls

Cold Creek Trail is a single-track trail leading from South Lake Tahoe, California, uphill to High Meadows. The 2.5-mile-long trail follows Cold Creek along the left (north) side. Almost level at its beginning near Powerline Trail, Cold Creek Trail continues as a sequence of switchbacks. It is popular with mountain bikers—and over certain sections quite a challenge. Hikers love this shaded creek & forest trail as well.

Cold Creek Trail near Powerline Trail

My Lake Tahoe Basin Trail Map marks Cold Creek Trail with two black diamonds—for “expert” use. Indeed, you need to master a few steep and rough rock jumps. I have seen many riders walking their bike at those locations. Half-way up you will pass by a few insignificant, yet beautiful waterfalls; where you may want to take a break and refresh. The trail mellows out as you are getting close to the meadows. Here, Cold Creek slowly meanders through brightening mixed forest.

Granodiorite rocks next to Cold Creek Trail

Cold Creek Trail ends at a creek crossing. Actually, it splits into two trails. One path continues uphill for another two miles to Monument Pass and the Tahoe Rim Trail (TRT). The other, across the creek, starts out as High Meadow Road, which you can take to get back to South Lake Tahoe and Meyers. The latter also connects with the 3.1-mile long Star Lake Trail—accessing Star Lake, the TRT and the Freel Peak surroundings within the Carson Range. 

Cold Creek at High Meadows