Touring * Beginner * Street *

From Interstate 80, exit south on State Highway 89 and proceed to Tahoe City 12 miles south. Turn right at the stoplight to stay on 89. Another three miles to the south, look for the Kaspian National Forest and Bicycle Camping sign, then turn west onto Barker Pass Road. Now you're in Blackwood Canyon. You can park on the gravel next to Highway 89 or up next to the rest rooms in the free parking lot that serves the nearby bike-in campgrounds.

Map: Recreation Map of Lake Tahoe, Tom Harrison Cartography,

2 Falmouth Cove, San Rafael, CA 94901-4465; (415) 456-7940.

Skate through beautiful Blackwood Canyon on deliciously smooth pavement that has never felt the blade of a snowplow. Although Blackwood Canyon Road isn't particularly wide as far as roads go, the traffic is so light that the whole road is your trail--what a luxury! The few cars that do pass are usually driving no more than 35 miles an hour, and local drivers are used to sharing this popular spot with skaters and bicyclists.

This tour begins at the gate near the bicycle campgrounds. There's a very gradual ascent as you enter the canyon, with one quarter-mile stretch that requires a little extra effort. As you skate away from the Highway 89 traffic noise, it's soon replaced by the sounds of buzzing beetles, chirping birds, and water flowing into Blackwood Creek. The pine forests that fill the canyon are populated by tiny squirrels that scamper across the road as you pass, darting into pockets of purple and yellow wildflowers. Although most of the road is bordered by woods, look left to catch glimpses of meadows filled with the golden blossoms of mule ears.

The good pavement terminates at the concrete bridge that crosses Blackwood Creek. Stop and enjoy the view to the west of the infamous Pacific Crest, rising in snow-dappled glory at the far end of the canyon. From here, Blackwood Canyon Road continues up the side of the canyon, but is too steep, narrow, and poorly maintained for skating (fallen branches and rock slides are left right where they landed).

On the way back, the gentle hills are fine for practicing wide slaloms. Level 1 skaters will be able to coast pretty safely here as long as there are no obstacles (as in oncoming cars or other people). For beginners, Blackwood Canyon is also an excellent place to work on those all-important heel-brake skills.

• West Shore Bike Path