Snowshoeing: More than just a trek through the snow by LJ Bottjer
Full moons have been reported in fact and fiction to make people dance under them and werewolves sprout hair. During the current lunar phase this Friday and Saturday night, Tahoe Adventure Company invites all to don a pair of snowshoes. Then atop a winter wonderland where moon rays cause the snow to glint and gleam, participants can tramp across the frozen paradise.
On the Friday, Jan. 29, the nocturnal expedition leaves at 5 p.m. from the North Tahoe Regional Park located one mile north of Tahoe Vista. The Saturday, Jan. 30 night journey in the Donner Lake locale also includes a dinner at the Cedar House in Truckee. Each tour, like the tours offered during the day throughout the winter months, offers more than just a trek through the snow.
Knowledgeable guides highly versed in the history and naturalist aspects of the region lead the tours. Often stories of long-ago Washoe Native Americans can be mixed with talks on the vast array of pine and fir tree forests surrounding the Lake. Astronomy, the study of all things celestial, will be a special highlight during the full moon tours. Mars, the red planet, is scheduled to make it's closest 2010 approach to Earth on Friday, according to The Old Farmer's Almanac.
Whether gazing skyward or looking in other directions, snow shoeing is an activity the entire family can enjoy, notes Tahoe Adventure's Kevin Hickey. "If one can walk, one can snowshoe," he said. He urges all participants be at least 10 years old. Following the initial meet-up, everyone will be outfitted with equipment and the basics of the sport will be covered.
Hot, non-alcoholic drinks and snacks will be available during the tour that ends at 9 p.m. The food and drink is included in the $70 tour price.
Future tours will occur in February and March. A sense of wonder is guaranteed to all who trek the Tahoe high country under the gaze of a full moon.
Visitors Love To Adventure With Us
"We had an incredible sunset kayak tour with Tyler! He did a fantastic job at leading us around the lake and showing us beautiful spots on the water while providing interesting history about the lake. 10/10 would recommend, so peaceful and beautiful!" -Evan M.
"The snowshoeing was fantastic. Nikki was our very knowledgeable and friendly guide. Everything that could have been thought of was. Great equipment. Amazing scenery. Highly recommended." -Chris Y.
"First time to Tahoe and first time on their trails, so we got a guide. John with Tahoe Adventure was awesome. It was my wife's first time mountain biking and he was very helpful and patient with her. We saw some incredible terrain, and were able to hike up to an area to get a great view of the lake. Incredible trip!" -Trip Advisor Review
"Thanks for the kayak and sail package. Me and my friends had a wonderful time. Loved every bit of it, including the lunch. Our trip started with kayaking and though all of my friends were doing it for the first time, everyone could do it easily and our guide, Sean was really cool. Sean allowed us to have fun the way we wanted to and never rushed us. I would highly recommend this to my friends." Ben C.
-- Ben C.
"My brother and I really enjoyed a guided mountain biking tour by Tahoe Adventure Company on our last visit, and we were not disappointed the second time around. This time we rode the Emigrant Trail to Stampede Reservoir, a woodland out-and-back trail with technical climbs and quick downhill segments. Our guide, Tyler, was great -- friendly and knowledgeable about the area and the sport. We had sandwiches and snacks when we got back." Chelsea T.
-- Chelsea T.
I wanted to let you know that the vendor you had suggested when I first talked with the Northstar group sales office a year ago, Tahoe Adventure Company, was terrific. The two events we did with him ....Orienteering + Kayaking...were fun, community building, and a learning experience. Many people within our group voiced their appreciation for he and his staff. -Clark Family Reunion