IN DEEPEST WINTER, we change up our footwear, moving from sandals to clogs, from flip-flops to boots, from no socks to bunny slippers. But while many of us easily and happily don cute, around-the-house feet-warmers, far fewer of us strap into one of the season's most iconic shoes. We're talking about snowshoes here, and while we definitely wouldn't wear them to run to the market (unless we had a lot of snow to contend with along the way), we would if we were on a beautiful, tree-lined trail in North Lake Tahoe. Getting to the alpine-mazing area, though, is step one, then finding a group helming a snowshoe trek, or a trail you can hit on your own, if you're a skilled snowshoe buffs, are your next must-dos. But do them soon, if you'd like to catch the upcoming...
LUNAR ECLIPSE: That's happening on Sunday, Jan. 20, for just over an hour, beginning at 8:41 (in the p.m., of course). The adventure-smart people at Go North Lake Tahoe have recommended a few trails to take during the eclipse, including the meadow at Squaw Valley and Chickadee Ridge. Crunch, crunch, crunching up to Monkey Rock, on the Tahoe Flume Trail, is another idea. These are not guided treks, and it will be after dark, so make sure you've got a group, and know your way around a snowshoe (or two). For more details on snowshoeing in the area, crunch for the Go Tahoe North winter sports page now.
IF YOU'D PREFER... a delicious dinner with your snowshoe outing, consider booking a spot at the Snowshoe Chalet Dinner at Alpine Meadows on Saturday, Jan. 19. Or consider a Snowshoe Star Tour with the Tahoe Adventure Company, which boasts lots of local history and oodles of astronomical joy. The next one is up on Jan. 19. And the night before? There's a Moonlight Snowshoe Hike, which will gather at Diamond Peak's Base Lodge Deck before heading for Snowflake Lodge. A best bet, whatever you choose to do? Read up on the trails, the rental requirements, and any other details before setting out on a glorious and brisk crunch through some spectacular country.
