Cove East loop beckons on wind-whipped afternoon
By Kathryn Reed
One of the best things about living on a street that doesn’t get plowed first or even on the same day a storm hits is the ability to cross country ski on it.
Heading to Cove East last Sunday we knew it could be a bit treacherous before we got to this oasis owned by the California Tahoe Conservancy. No worries. We made it to the entrance at the end of Venice Drive by testing our balance on road ice and chunky snow banks.
A cold, stormy day at Cove East. Photos/Kathryn Reed
No one was there. Solitude and silence except for the honking of geese who didn’t get the message to head south and crows that saw us struggling to break trail.
At first it seemed like this popular 2-mile or so loop on state land would be fairly easy on cross country skis because someone had been there before us with boots.
Gray skies hovered above as snow danced in the air to a song the wind was singing. It was beautiful and a bit ominous at the same time.
Traipsing along the Upper Truckee River the water didn’t seem to be moving. The edges are frozen and it is only November.
Mother Nature seems to be laughing at us as we keep our heads down to ward off the chill.
Reaching the beach, Lake Tahoe doesn’t look like herself. It could be any other unimpressive body of water. It’s dark. The surrounding mountains are not visible. It’s a bit eerie.
Bootprints lead to the water. I don’t want to go there. I break trail and sink. I head toward the loop to circle around. This isn’t fun anymore and I make my irritation known. Why am I on skis instead of snowshoes? This would be pleasurable on snowshoes.
I lead us across the open space, making it a shorter loop so there will be less time for me to whine.
The tracks resume. Finally. Still not gliding much, but breaking trail is over.
The trek becomes more pleasurable. It sure beats going to the gym.
Getting to Cove East:
In South Lake Tahoe near the Y, turn on Tahoe Keys Boulevard.
Go right at the stop sign on Venice Drive.
Go the end – park in the circular area if the roads are cleared, otherwise park in the lot to the left for the marina and Fresh Ketch.
Enter the path. It loops around.
Dogs on leash are welcome. Bring a bag or use one of the ones provided.
Thanks for your evocative description of Cove East on a snowy day. I’ve been there many times, but haven’t thought of it as a winter destination.
Kay
Thank you Kay. It’s nice to know other people venture out there when the weather isn’t the most conducive to a pleasant hike. But there always seems to be something redeeming each time I go out, all times of the year. I always take my binoculars, and sometimes camera, as there are always some species of birds to spot. I find them in the marina lagoon, the lake, Truckee River, in the dead snags, or flitting between the willows and lodgepole pines. In the spring when the new marsh areas are flooded there are still more species to spot. What a great treasure to discover over and over again!
Thanks for reminding people to pick up after their dogs. I support areas for dogs to run and know people love and are proud of their dogs, but why do they need to leave their dogs’ piles of poops on the trails for the rest of us to admire? It really is disgusting to see these and have to try to avoid them when out trying to enjoy the beauty of nature. Please clean up after your dogs. None of us want to see their poop.