The Palisades Tahoe Bypass
Discover the scenic, game-changing alternate route in Northeastern California. Say goodbye to ski lifts and limited water sources!
A new scenic, game-changing alternate route in Northeastern California.
Say goodbye to ski lifts and limited water sources!
We have added a new alternate route along the American Discovery Trail in Northeastern California – the Palisades Tahoe Bypass – between Hiking America waypoints CA8-19 and CA8-32. This is based on an idea Marcia Powers (Ken&Marcia'05) came up with recently that MichelleStrong'23 passed along to us to consider.
We did. And as they say – "It makes all the sense in the world!"
The original ADT route in this area generally uses the Palisades Tahoe ski resort's private service roads up, under, and around ski lifts and lacks water sources except at the bottom of the slopes.
This new alternate, the Palisades Tahoe Bypass, follows the famous Pacific Crest Trail and Granite Chief Trail and includes access to surface water in the form of streams and a lake, as well as two campsites. Additionally, avoiding the ski resort and its artificial snow-making into the Spring has the potential to allow for a crossing much sooner in the year.
This alternate is now included in our California Section 8 maps, guides, and Gaia GPS data and is less than a mile (0.78 mi) longer than the original route.
And while we're in the area –
What's the latest on the Sierra Nevada crossing?
On Friday, the Palisades Snowtel site finally fell below 3" for the first time since last fall - the fourth latest date in the last 15 years. Unfortunately, as of yesterday, June 18th, the Mount Rose Snotel Site is recording 61" still on the ground.
However, that is 15" less than one week ago. At this pace, perhaps there will be more to celebrate this Fourth of July.
Hike Your Hike. - John.
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