South Lake Tahoe's Powerline Trail is a fairly easy 6.7 mile out-and-back hike leading from a residential neighborhood near the top of Ski Run Blvd through the scenic mountain forest.
While the trail doesn't possess any epic lake views - and as such you may be able to hike this and encounter far fewer crowds than some of the area's more scenic or accessible hikes - it offers a chance to walk for miles in the pine forest mountainscape. With a total elevation gain of just over 500', there are no series slopes here. Short bursts of switchback inclines is about the most technical that you'll get. Though from the beginning, there is very little of the hike that is level.
A couple stream crossings are the scenic highlights, especially one near the turnaround point. The trail ultimately reaches the High Meadows Trailhead and parking area, where several other marked trails pass through or branch off from. Some planning here will allow further exploration deeper into the forest with the ability to add some smaller loop spurs.
This trail is more popular as a mountain biking path, so hikers should be aware of cyclists possibly racing by at times.
While the hike begins at a signed trailhead, street parking is also restricted in the neighborhood nearby, so the best and closest parking may be on Ski Run Blvd across from Regina St, which will add about 1/3 mile walking distance to reach the trailhead. Street parking is only permitted in this area at all from May 1st through October 31st each year and is restricted the rest of the year for snow cleanup operations.
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