Touring *

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 and continue south another nine miles to Meeks Bay. The trail crosses Highway 89 just before the Meeks Bay State Park entrance. You can park for free on the shoulder near the trail crossing, or pay $5 to park in the state park's lot. The southern termination of the trail is just a few yards away from the park's entrance kiosk. Map: Recreation Map of Lake Tahoe, Tom Harrison Cartography, 2 Falmouth Cove, San Rafael, CA 94901-4465; (415) 456-7940.

The Lake Tahoe western shore trail at Sugar Pine Point starts just south of the Ehrlman mansion, in a forest belonging to the Edwin L. Z'Berg Natural Preserve. As of the summer of 1995, the eight-foot-wide asphalt path was newly resurfaced and a joy to skate. Be forewarned, though, that the scenery it passes is restricted to inland towns and forests along Highway 89, and not the lake views one might expect. The trail starts with a descent from Sugar Pine Point State Park near the Ehrlman mansion. After a mile, it enters the town of Tahoma, where it crosses to the west side of Highway 89. Here, as it passes through town, the trail is broken up to accommodate business driveways, parking lots, and intersections with residential streets. On busy summer weekends, stick to your own side of the yellow line, because this trail--like others in the Tahoe area--can get very busy. The dedicated bike path ends shortly after it crosses McKinney Creek.