Squaw Valley offering Sunset hikes

A switch in plans sent us up King Canyon with the idea of hiking the old road there past the camp up to Spooner Summit.

Plans call for the road to be made passable for four-wheel drive, but last time we tried it the Ford Focus couldn't make it. Of course, we checked with the Ranger station before heading up the hill, but it wasn't clear that hikes were barred from the road before the camp.

We then tried the Spooner Rim Trail hike to Marlette Lake, starting about noon. By 3 p.m. we were 5 miles in and about 2,600 feet up. Snow Valley was to the right, the trail to the Marlette Reservoir to the right. And our destination of Ponderosa Ranch, where our ride was to pick us up, looked awful far on the Rim Trail map.

Another botched hike. To make the Ponderosa we should have started at dawn instead of noon. Even then it would have been a tight race. But we gave up, hiked back to the trailhead and cell-phoned out driver.

The good news, however, was that the Rim Trail was in about as good a shape as anything we've hiked recently. All DG, just a few protruding rocks, even a couple of vista points. Come September we'll try for Marlette Lake again.

• Squaw Valley Hiking Center at High Camp offers guided Sunset Hikes every Friday and Saturday evening throughout the summer for those looking for a unique mountain experience. The hikes offer the opportunity to experience the peace, tranquility and stunning beauty of the upper mountain in the evening twilight. Hikes begin at 6:30 p.m. at High Camp and cost $5 for adults and juniors and are free for kids 12 and under. An evening Cable Car & Hike Package is $14 for adults, juniors and seniors. Children ride the Cable Car for just $5. Upcoming Sunset Hikes are scheduled for Aug. 6-7, 13-14, 20- 21.

Squaw Valley USA and the Tahoe Forest Hospital are joining forces in the fight against Breast Cancer Aug. 7 for the 23rd Annual Squaw Valley Mountain Run & Fitness Walk.

Registration and check-in for the Mountain Run & Fitness Walk is near Squaw's ticket portals from 6:45-8 a.m. and the event begins at 8:30 a.m. for runners and 8:45 a.m. for walkers. The entry fee is $40. Call (530) 582-3483.

• Calling all those in need of new ski, board and golf gear.

Northstar-at-Tahoe's 12th annual Tent Sale is coming to Truckee to equip outdoor enthusiasts gear Friday Sept. 3 through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For a sneak preview, check out the Northsport clearance center, open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Northstar Village.

The sale will be held at Truckee High School, 11725 Donner Pass Road in Truckee. From Northstar, turn left onto Highway 267 and follow for approximately 5 1/2 miles. Turn left on Brockway Road and follow until the Donner Pass Road intersection, then turn left onto Donner Pass Road. Truckee High School is 1.8 miles up the road on the left.

Generally known for its adrenaline pumping downhill courses, Northstar-at-Tahoe's mountain bike park is switching gears and hosting the First Annual Mountain Goat Uphill Bike Race Sunday, Aug. 22, at 8 a.m. The first biker to reach Mt. Pluto's 8,610-foot summit wins.

Riders must register in the open race category to win the cash prizes. The first man to reach the top using any of Northstar's designated bike trails wins $350 and the first female wins $200. Prize money will go to the top five men and top three women.

Pre-registration is $25 and includes the ride, raffle, snack, awards and entertainment by Jeff Jones. Download the race form at www.NorthstarAtTahoe.com and send it to The Goat, c/o Northstar-at-Tahoe, P.O. Box 129, Truckee, 96160. Deadline is Aug. 15. Race weekend registration costs $30 and is available Saturday, Aug. 21 from 2-4 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 22 from 6-7 a.m. in the Northstar Village.

• Join award-winning photographer/author Mark Vollmer, and singer/songwriter Jim Eaglesmith and friends for a multi-media night of live music and slides celebrating the Tahoe Rim Trail and the surrounding area. Children of all ages will enjoy the images, stories and music that bring the trail and the Sierra to life. Mark's recently published book, "Tahoe Rim Trail, Exploring the Jewel," as well as CDs from the musicians will be on sale. The show is free. The show is at Galena Creek Regional Park along the Mt. Rose Highway outside of Reno Friday, Aug. 20, 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. Call (775) 849-2511.

Sam Bauman is a Nevada Appeal Staff Writer. Contact him at sbauman@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1236.