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Trail Reports : McKinney Trail

Tahoma, CA (West Shore Lake Tahoe)
By: Mike Serpe

The famous McKinney trail is the eastern starting point for the world famous Rubicon Trail. However it also offers access to a vast network of other roads, trails, and fire breaks that allow you into the backcountry of the Sierras, comprising some 3+ million acres. Finding the McKinney OHV access has become simplified by the addition of signage along the shore of Lake Tahoe, but there only one small sign, and it’s easy to miss. The McKinney starts in Tahoma and progresses into the National Forest for a total length of several miles.

The Trail:
The McKinney trail requires high clearance, but is fine for long wheel base vehicles, as well as wide vehicles. I have seen several Unimogs and Humvees experiencing no difficulty. There is a good bit of rocky terrain, mostly in the form of loose granite boulders and large rocks. The trail tends to be a bit more nasty in the early Summer when first open, as the harsh winter and especially the thaw of up to 30 feet of snowpack can lead to a bit of trail rearrangement to phrase it lightly. Once large groups like the Jeep Jamboree come through, the trail gets more and more cleared out.

The trail opens when the snow is melted away, and stays open until it becomes impassible (defined by the users, not the rangers which is nice!) Recently I was up the McKinney in our Gwagen in about 6 inches of snow. It started with just a frosting in Tahoma, and then as we got in deeper, the depth increased. It does get difficult once conditions are icy or snowy because the rocks become hard to see under the snow, and the slippery surfaces don’t make control easy even while crawling in low range.

To access Miller Lake, simply take the trail about 20 minutes in, and the lake (one of several) will be on the left side, with many turnoffs for picnics or camping. After Miller Lake, there is a road to the left (unmarked), but before Lily Lake (filled in with lilies). This road goes southbound, towards Emerald Bay, and conditions get rather difficult due to the narrow trail width after passing the Pacific Crest Trail. However there is a lake about 5 minutes in on the right, and also an incredible camp location on the top of a ridge if you follow the trail to the right after leaving the small lake area. Camping is excellent at both locations.

To access the Homewood Trail, take the McKinney access road (paved) toward the staging area from Tahoma. Before reaching the staging area, you’ll notice one NFS road to the right, with a gate, open during Summer-late fall. This is the Homewood trail. See write up.

For access to the Rubicon, continue past Lily Lake, the next left will be it! You should look for a sign that is across from the Rubicon trail, so it’s on the right side of the McKinney as you head in. The sign is arranged facing people coming out of the Rubicon. It says Barker Pass left, Lake Tahoe, right.

Make a right to start the famous Rubicon Trail. From this point it is 2.3 miles to Rubicon Springs, about a 2 hour journey!!!

To access Bear Lake, either take the first NFS road on the right, about 5 minutes into the McKinney, or take the right just after Lily Lake. This trail is actually a loop, so it can make traveling the McKinney for a short trek, more of a tour with a loop.

Access to Barker Pass, Barker Meadow, Granite Chief, and Soda Springs, starts where the grading begins at the entrance to the Rubicon. Instead of making a left onto the Rubicon, continue straight. See Barker Pass Area review for more details.

McKinney Trail Ratings:
G accessability / fun factor: (1-5, 5 being the best) a fun challenge, 5
Body Damage Factor: (1-5, 5 being the most dangerous) 3
Camping: Yes, endless access
Distance: 5 miles one way
Four wheel Drive: Yes
Low Range: Yes
Lockers: No
Winch: No

Directions: Route 80 to Route 89 S, to Tahoma, CA Look for sign on left after passing Homewood Ski Area. Make right, follow signs to staging area

Route 50 to Route 89 N at South Lake Tahoe, to Tahoma. After passing the Tahoma Market, look for McKinney Road on the left, and the OHV sign across from it. Make left, follow signs to OHV staging area.

From the Rubicon Trail: Take trail to end, this will be a three way intersection. There will be a sign indicating that Lake Tahoe/Tahoma is to the right, take right and begin. About 8 miles from here to Lake Tahoe, however going is smooth compared to Rubicon terrain.