Trail Reports : NFS 08/01 Network
Tahoe National Forest, Granite Chief Wilderness, Squaw Valley, CABy: Mike Serpe
NFS 08 starts just south of Truckee, CA and the Rte 80/89 interchange
Take route 89 south from Rte. 80 toward Lk. Tahoe. After passing under the rail bridge, you will find the entry (gated, but most always open) to NFS 08 on the right side.
NFS 08 is a simple trail that networks up into the Granite Chief wilderness, just North of Squaw Valley.
The trails network also includes the 01 trail which leads back out closer to Squaw Valley. Both trails are easy going, and winter accessible. There is approximately 15 miles of trail including the 08 loop, 01, and a few other tributary trails in the network. Mostly, this run is simple, rarely requiring 4WD, but there are some tricky parts here and there.
The best things about this network is really not the 4-wheeling, it's really the land it grants you access to. The Granite Chief wilderness hosts some of the most impressive rock faces of sheer granite in the world, and views of ski mountains, Lake Tahoe, and even the Sacramento Valley can all be found from numerous camp locations. Since it is NFS land, camping is pretty much open to wherever you want to set up.
Recently, we found 08 to also offer some great backcountry ski access. You can actually use your Gwagen as a much cheaper ski lift than the $52 dollar rides at Squaw Valley, just minutes away. We were laughing to ourselves as we plummeted down through the trees in the powder along the winding 08 route, all the way keeping Squaw Valley in view. The cost of our lift ticket? Just gas for the G! My wife, not too into tree skiing, also found that skiing the road itself is actually quite a hoot as well. To ski 08, follow from the entry up to the second fork. This will be the first fork where you see an 08 sign marking the trail on the right. The trail to the left heads south to the Cold Creek area, and to NFS 01 towards Squaw. There is also another peak that you can reach off 01, which is impassible once snow arrives.
NFS 08 / 01 Ratings:
G accessable: Easy
4WD: only when wet or snowy, and in some steep spots (there’s 6)
Difficulty/Body Damage: none
Camping: yes, excellent
Season: always open, but gets impassible December through May
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