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Snowshoe Running: Start here for free

December 12, 2022 by Helen Pelster 1 Comment

Max Jones, famous for The Flume Trail and his long-time stewardship of the Spooner XC ski area, once told me that three things are needed for successful winter recreation: plowed parking, packed snow, and winterized restrooms.

As you can imagine, these things cost money. California SNO-PARK is one program that provides winter trail access for a fee ($15/day and $40/season as of 22-23 season). Click here for SNO-PARK locations and information. The Sno-Park at the Boreal/Castle Peak exit provides access to the Castle Valley and Castle Peak for a more mountainous environment and vertical relief than what you might find elsewhere.

All of the local (Tahoe Donner, Royal Gorge, Tahoe City XC, Auburn Ski Club) cross-country ski areas welcome snowshoe runners, but this is a more expensive venture. Of these, Auburn Ski Club (ASC) at Donner Summit is the most affordable.

If you are new to snowshoe running, see Coach Peter’s article on basic snowshoe running gear here.

If you are willing to forgo the restrooms and take your chances on snow packing conditions, here are three winter trailheads for free:

Cold Stream Canyon

Much of lower Cold Stream Canyon is part of Donner Memorial State Park, but the Cold Stream Canyon Rd is a public, plowed road where you can park for free.

  • Exit Interstate 80 at Donner Pass Road, Exit 184
  • Proceed through the four-way stop onto Cold Stream Rd
  • Pass our partner hotel Truckee Donner Lodge on your right and continue on the paved road
  • Park where the pavement ends
  • Lat/long of parking: 39.318866, -120.231351

From the parking, you can go up the roads into Cold Stream Canyon or follow the flatter terrain in the main park area.

Prosser Hill OHV

Nestled just north of Truckee, Prosser Hill OHV Staging Area provides free parking and a forest snow experience for those willing to explore. Snow is often packed by snowmobile users. You can also head out towards the Emigrant Trail (east of 89) for fresh tracks and less snowmobiles.

  • Take I-80 exit 188B (89 North) toward Sierraville/Lake Tahoe
  • 
Follow the signs through the roundabouts to stay on CA 89 North
  • The Prosser Hill OHV Staging Area is 4 miles north of I-80 on the left
  • Lat/long of parking: 39.386911, -120.185683

Look for user-packed snow and make your route!

Tahoe Donner Powerline Trail

Paved parking at the top of the Trout Creek bike path also provides access to the Tahoe Donner power line trail. This route is less scenic, but extremely easy to follow under the power line (shown here on the summer trail map.)

  • Take Northwoods Blvd north from Donner Pass Road in Truckee
  • Paved & plowed parking is at the top of the hill on the right, just past the Coyote Moon Golf Course.
  • Lat/long of parking: 39.33667, -120.20911

The paved & plowed Trout Creek bike path is downhill (east) of the parking. The Powerline Trail snowshoe route is uphill (west) of the parking on the other side of Northwoods Blvd. Expect mixed conditions of user-packed and untracked snow. Follow the power lines about 2.5 miles up and back, crossing the street a total of three times each way.

DPMR group run on the Powerline trail. photo by Helen Pelster

Mount Rose

Parking is plentiful near the summit of 431, as are the options for exploring! In some areas you will have to deal with snowmobile traffic and sledding, but this area is large enough that peace and quiet can be found by everyone willing to explore a bit.

Nevada Nordic Trails off Hwy 431

There is a large plowed turnout along the Mount Rose Highway (431) at 39.2827, -119.9343 and the groomed trails start just to the north of this parking area. Please consider making a donation on their website, as this is the only form of support that keeps these trails groomed!

Spooner Lake

There is a 2 mile snowshoeing loop in the Spooner Lake State Park off 28, just north of 50.

Donner Memorial State Park

Parking is available at the Donner Memorial Visitor Center. You can explore the areas near the lake, or use this parking area for accessing the Coldstream Canyon Road area (the dirt road is occasionally groomed).

Johnson Canyon

If you are looking for some snow vert, this is a great spot. You can follow fire roads all the way to Summit Lake, or the more challenging narrower trail up to Drifter Hut. Accessed via the Donner Lake exit on I-80. There are some plowed spots in a turnout just south of I-80. Don’t park on the exit ramp or road.

Canyon Spring & Glenshire Meadows

Start from the Glenshire Clubhouse and circle the pond or cross the meadow. Access TDLT’s Canyon Springs land from Glenshire Drive, about a 1/2 mile east of the Glenshire Clubhouse (if parking area has been cleared). A lot of foot and ski traffic usually has created a variety of well-packed trails to follow.

Page Meadows (Tahoe City)

Park in the TRT trailhead lot near the transit center. Follow the summer TRT trail west into the meadows.

Olympic Valley

Head into the large meadow in the valley, where the golf course is located in the summer. Not groomed. Can park in the Olympic Valley Park (101 Olympic Vly Rd, Olympic Valley, CA 96146) and take the bike path to get there.

Sawtooth/06 Forest Rd area

Parking is tricky for this spot. Your best bet is a friend’s driveway, otherwise you risk getting a ticket. But if you can get there, you will find seemingly endless miles to explore. This area gets a lot of snowmobile traffic, which can help create roughly groomed conditions.

Get out there and try it out, and you’ll be all ready for The Racing Gnome Snowshoe Race on Sunday, February 12, 2023!

Filed Under: General, Homepage Feature

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sharon Fong says

    January 1, 2019 at 4:44 pm

    Glacier Way behind the Tahoe Donner downhill ski area has a trailhead and scenic views. Carpenter Valley just outside Tahoe Donner and Alder Creek road also is popular.

    Reply

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Hello runners! Greetings from our Pt. Mariah Marat Hello runners! Greetings from our Pt. Mariah Marathon race director, Chris Cloyd! Chris wants you all to know that DPMR is busy gearing up for this year’s event. One of the guiding principles of this race (and our club) is creating an inclusive environment for all, and we’d love to see all of you out there on August 5th to celebrate our sport. Whether you’re interested in running the full marathon, running with a partner to split up the 5 legs however you’d like as a relay, putting together a group of 5 to run the course as a team, or volunteering at our aid station or start/finish line we’d love to have you out there. Each runner on a team relay will only have a 5-6 mile segment, so runners of all ability levels and enthusiasms are encouraged to sign up! If you’re excited to join in but not able to run for whatever reason, you can come help as a course marshall, aid station supporter, or start/finish line volunteer and enjoy all of the energy of the event without lacing up your running shoes. 
This year’s course will feature more singletrack, zero pavement (yay!), and all of the best views and mountain summits from last year’s course. Of course, the course will include a trip out to the swing at Point Mariah and our whiskey-only aid station at that location. 
To learn more about the various options for running or volunteering at the event, check out the link in our bio.
Regardless of how much or little (or none) you want to run on August 5th, we very sincerely hope to have your company out at Soda Springs as we celebrate running, friends, and life in the mountains. Thank you all for making this event as special as it is.
Last call for the DPMR Member Summer Picnic! RSVP Last call for the DPMR Member Summer Picnic! RSVP by 5/31 using the link in our bio!
 
Join us for some fun on the trails before the picnic! We have two optional group runs planned. The first will be an 11-mile route starting at 8 am, and the second will be around 5.5 miles and start at 9 am. 
 
If you are interested in volunteering to help with the picnic, you can sign up now! Look for the signup genius link in our bio.  
 
Last but not least, if you're not yet a member, consider joining now for just $20 a year! This would give you access to fantastic events such as the upcoming picnic, as well as other benefits, such as discounts on races. Head to our website to sign up today!
 
#DPMR #unafraid #weloveourmembers #summertime #bbq
Meet DPMR Board Member Angela Stark.  Angela's pa Meet DPMR Board Member Angela Stark.  Angela's passion for running blossomed in her early years and has remained unwavering ever since. Her true bliss lies in trail running, particularly within the scenic Truckee-Tahoe region, which has hosted her most cherished events. While residing in Livermore with her husband, three daughters, and their goldendoodle Gigi, Angela and her family take every opportunity to come up to the mountains. Initially, Angela joined DPMR to connect with fellow runners in the area and subsequently became a board member in 2022. She derives immense joy from contributing to the cultivation of a strong sense of community and belonging through her involvement with DPMR. Amongst various activities, group gatherings hold a special place in her heart, and she eagerly awaits the upcoming picnic next Sunday, where she hopes to see everyone in person!
 
#dpmr #unafraid #community #summerpicnic #trailrunning #goldendoodles
RSVP for the DPMR Member Summer Picnic by 5/31 usi RSVP for the DPMR Member Summer Picnic by 5/31 using the link in our bio. 
 
If you're not yet a member, consider joining now for just $20 a year! This would give you access to fantastic events such as the upcoming picnic, as well as other benefits, such as discounts on races. Head to our website to sign up today!
https://donnerpartymountainrunners.com/join-now/
 
#DPMR #unafraid #weloveourmembers #summertime #bbq
Now this is one good looking group of runners!  I Now this is one good looking group of runners!  If you haven’t had a chance to come out yet, make sure to mark your calendars and join us for the LAST DPMR Newbies Run on Tuesday, May 23rd! Demos start at 5:15 and the run starts at 6pm.  Whether you're a seasoned runner or just starting out, this event is perfect for you! We welcome all fitness levels and backgrounds, so don't be shy. It's all about having fun, making new friends, and celebrating our love for running.   
 
See you there! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️ 
 
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Meet DPMR Board member Renee Jacobs (the unstoppab Meet DPMR Board member Renee Jacobs (the unstoppable one in the photo)! Renee is a Bay Area transplant that has lived in Truckee since 2010. She and her husband (boyfriend at the time) moved to Truckee to be closer to the mountains they both loved! She joined the board in 2019 shortly after quitting her job as an architect and structural engineer to become a full-time mother. Joining the board has not only helped her rebuild a new community after a huge life transition, but it has also connected her to some amazing mentors in the DPMR community that have inspired and positively developed her athletic goals!
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Have you been on the lookout for an inclusive and Have you been on the lookout for an inclusive and welcoming trail marathon? Well, search no more because the Pt. Mariah Marathon is here to fulfill your dreams! This incredible event is happening on August 5, 2023, and it offers a multi-loop course that will take you through five enchanting segments of the breathtaking Royal Gorge terrain. And guess what? You have options! You can tackle it alone like a lone wolf, or bring your friends and form a relay team of two or five! The choice is yours! So, don't wait any longer. Lace up your running shoes and register today for an unforgettable experience! Link in bio. #TrailMarathon #dpmr #unafraid #royalgorge #getinspired
The DPMR Member Summer Picnic is just around the c The DPMR Member Summer Picnic is just around the corner! RSVP today! If you're not yet a member, consider joining now for just $20 a year! This would give you access to fantastic events such as the upcoming picnic, as well as other benefits, such as discounts on races. Head to our website to sign up today! Links in bio.
Meet DPMR board member Aude Hofleitner! Aude is a Meet DPMR board member Aude Hofleitner! Aude is a Parisian who went from strolling the streets in Paris to discovering road running in her 30s before getting the trail buzz! While she used to be a "city girl" she has completely fallen in love with the mountains, the trails and the DPMR community. She loves to read and has been featuring a Book of the Month in the newsletter (reach out if you have book suggestions!). She also helps with social media on Instagram (tag us if you want to be featured in our stories!). She loves the weekend Run & Brunch, because brunch is the best meal and it tastes even better after a long adventure! #dpmr #unafraid #bookclub #brunch
Last call for volunteers for THIS WEEKEND! Join us Last call for volunteers for THIS WEEKEND! Join us at the DPMR Canyons Endurance Runs aid station on April 28th and 29th.  We welcome all volunteers but we especially need individuals who are willing to stay up late and help provide crucial support to our runners during their toughest moments.
And that is not all!  When you volunteer at a DPMR aid station during any race, you’ll be entered to win a complimentary race entry for that event in the upcoming year.  But wait, there’s more!  The top 10 DPMR volunteers with the most hours logged in 2023 will be entered into our grand prize drawing - Gratis Racing!  The lucky winner of the drawing will receive the  ultimate prize: free race entries for a whole year, valued up to $1000.  So why wait, sign up today!
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Come join the fun at the Newbies Club Fun today! T Come join the fun at the Newbies Club Fun today! Tahoe Mountain Sports has arranged to have demos from The Northface and Oofos for the run today, Tuesday, April 25th that will take place at the Farad exit off I-80. Demos start at 5:15pm and the run will start at 6pm.  See you all there! 📸 Krissi Polentz
Meet Kathy Slocum, a member of the DPMR Board for Meet Kathy Slocum, a member of the DPMR Board for the past three years. Kathy is a versatile runner who enjoys both dirt and pavement, and recently ventured into triathlons 🏊🏻‍♀️ 🚴🏻‍♀️ 🏃🏻‍♀️, completing her first full Ironman last year. This year, she's set to tackle a half Ironman in Oregon and another full Ironman in Canada later in August. She’s running the Salt Lake City Marathon in April as a warmup 🤯. With all the snow this season, she’s spent a considerable time in the pool and on a bike trainer. No matter how many triathlons Kathy crushes, she always dreams about and looks forward to trail running. Last August, Kathy ran the inaugural Pt Mariah marathon which she described as "a great course, great people, and great fun." At the end of the day, Kathy’s biggest goals are to have fun, stay healthy and try new things. #yolo #swimbikerun #badass #dpmr #unafraid #ptmariahmarathon
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