Robinson's Flat - Tahoe National Forest, Ca

 July 7, 2012 - Robinson's Flat - Tahoe National Forest, Ca

Beware, this is quite possibly my favorite hike, my favorite on this blog for sure.

Head east from Auburn toward Foresthill on Foresthill Road. I recommend stopping in at the Ranger's Station, about 15 miles in, on the right. They have trail maps for this hike, among others. Continue past the Ranger's Station for 27 miles, well beyond town, and down the one lane road. Luckily you can't miss the trailhead/campsite as the road T's at the entrance.

This is a campsite and trail area. Horses are permitted as are mountain bikes. There is a bathroom, but no trash cans.

The campsite is adjacent to an old ranger station with out-buildings and a nice meadow that used to house ranger/fire fighters 70+ years ago. If you are interested in the history, there are informational signs and the buildings are staged to look as they did when they were in use.

There are two trails here: the Meadow loop trail, which I assume lops the meadow in a 1/4 mile or less, and the Bald Mountain trail which takes the hiker up to a nice overlook and through a peaceful lightly wooded forest. The elevation is 6800 feet, plus a few hundred for the overlook, so there is no poison oak, and unlike our last hike the ticks were not out, or at least not hungry.

This is a loop trail, and I recommend completing it in a counterclockwise direction for ease of trail navigation. From the bathroom head farther into the campground and look for the trail markers (and fence) on the south side of the campsites. There is a trail head marker at the ranger station, but we found that it took us to the left of the trail head and we had to climb over the aforementioned fence, but that was easy enough.

The trail is well marked and while it is an incline, it is relatively easy. Total elevation gain is about 800 feet. the trail crosses a sturdy bridge and makes it way up the mountain. At the top I am told there is a .5 mile trail to the overlook. I missed this on our trek, but I am told it is well worth a look. The trail makes it way to the right and back down, 4 miles in all. (4.5 if you have to backtrack to find a lost dog bootie.) Even with the summer heat, the trail is well shaded for most of it, keeping temperatures down. It is rather dusty in sections and more barren at the top of the mountain however so sunscreen or a hat is recommended.

On this particular Saturday I was not busy in the slightest, and the view was spectacular, combined with the wildflowers, tree canopy, length and overall lovely day, this is easily my favorite hike.

Pros: Scenic, good length, wildflowers in summer, good views, low traffic, bathrooms.
Cons: a little dusty in sections, long drive.
Rating: 2.5/5 for difficulty, 4.5/5 for overall pleasantness