4 miles
Distance
336 ft
Climb
-1,712 ft
Descent
00:36:37
Avg time
Trail Supporters, Builders & Maintainers of Christmas Valley Trail

Details

  • Riding area
    South Lake Tahoe
    South Lake Tahoe, California
  • AKA
    Lake Valley Trail
  • Difficulty rating
    Black Diamond rate
  • Trail type
    Singletrack
  • Bike type
    AM, XC
  • Trail Usage
    Multi-use
  • Direction
    Both Directions
  • Climb Difficulty
    Black Diamond
  • Physical rating
    Hard
  • Season
    May-November
  • eBike Allowed
    No
  • TTFs on trail
    Log Ride, Rock Garden
  • Global Ranking
    #11276

This is a quintessential Tahoe trail--rocky, periodically technical, and remote. The trail gets its name from the adjacent residential community and parallels a branch of the Upper Truckee River through mature pine forest except for a middle burn section. As a downhill trail it is fast, but punctuated with frequent stairs, tight turns, and rock gardens. For the more adventurous, the climb is a consistent but manageable slope with relentless small rock features. Those who conquer the length of trail are rewarded by two sublime alpine lakes. The first is shy of the Tahoe Rim Trail junction off a westward spur to Dardanelles Lake. The second is Round Lake another 0.7 miles south on the TRT.

To ride this trail as a loop, continue on South Upper Truckee up the steep switchbacks to SR-89. Cross SR-89 and continue on the forest access road 1.1 miles to the Big Meadow trailhead.

Access Info

The lower trailhead is off South Upper Truckee Rd just before the road climbs very steeply to SR-89. The trail terminates into the Tahoe Rim Trail near Round Lake. To access the upper end of the trail, park at the TRT Big Meadow Trailhead and follow the TRT 2.2 miles south through Big Meadow. At the bottom of the only switchback descent, the CVT takes off to the north (right turn).

Local Trail Association
More Stats for Christmas Valley Trail mountain bike trail
  • Altitude change
    -1,376 ft
  • Altitude min
    6,517 ft
  • Altitude max
    7,894 ft
  • Altitude start
    7,894 ft
  • Altitude end
    6,517 ft
  • Grade max
    -61.188%
  • Grade min
    68.797%
  • Distance climb
    3,894 ft
  • Distance down
    3 miles
  • Distance flat
    2,039 ft
  • Avg time
    00:36:37
  • Avg reverse time
    00:46:12
  • view trail stats
Status:
on Aug 13, 2018
Very Dry
Avg: 4.65 (9 votes)

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Layers winter
Trail Style
  • ?
Trail Conditions
  • Unknown
  • Snow Packed
  • Snow Covered
  • Freeze/thaw Cycle
  • Icy
  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • Dry
  • Very Dry
Directions to christmas-valley-trail trailhead (38.760200, -120.003400)
update trails status or condition

Christmas Valley... Trail Reports

datedescription
Aug 13, 2018 @ 4:19pm
Aug 13, 2018
Jul 3, 2018 @ 4:05pm
Jul 3, 2018
 reporter
Jun 2, 2018 @ 8:15pm
Jun 2, 2018
 On 31 May, a team of three TAMBA volunteers rode with a chainsaw to clear both of the large trees obstructing the trail. You're welcome.
Jun 2, 2018 @ 1:39pm
Jun 2, 2018
 Trees have been removed and trail is clear of snow
May 24, 2018 @ 8:38pm
May 24, 2018
 Reposted to correct: Two big trees down that will require chainsaws to remove. One located at 38.76531, -120.00671 and second at 38.77219, -120.01202.
view all reports »

Photos

more »
19 |
Aug 13, 2018 @ 7:31pm
Aug 13, 2018
Christmas Valley Trail
105 |
Mar 20, 2017 @ 11:23pm
Mar 20, 2017
Christmas Valley Trail
117 |
Mar 20, 2017 @ 11:23pm
Mar 20, 2017
Christmas Valley Trail
117 |
Mar 20, 2017 @ 11:23pm
Mar 20, 2017
Christmas Valley Trail

Trail Lists

Routes with this trail

titleratingdistance
Christmas Valley to Toads
21 miles

2 Reviews & Comments

  • + 1
flag emilita (Aug 7, 2018 at 15:42)
 We had a blast riding this trail, laughing all the way down. Trail varies from techy to flowy and offers a few truly stunning views. Really makes the most of the four miles. Added on an out and back to Scott Lake and an out and back to Round Lake before descending CV and it made for a really great day.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag mtbingadventures (Aug 13, 2018 at 15:39)
 You can get going really fast down this trail even though it has lots of technical rocky sections. It seems to just have that natural fun downhill factor. I love doing this trail every year.
[Reply]

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Videos

more »
Mtn Bike | Christmas Valley | Tahoe, CA
2:29 | 65 | Jul 17, 2018 , South Lake Tahoe
Hawley Grade, Christmas Valley, &...
161 | Aug 7, 2017 , South Lake Tahoe

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