Singletrack/MTB
Gravel/All-road
Dirt-road Touring
Fat-bike
Bones to Blue 2023
CA, United States 250mi (402km)
A little loop followed by a much bigger loop around Lake Tahoe, tracing the footsteps of dead pioneers. This is the Bones to Blue!
Beginning and ending in Truckee, CA, this bikepacking route consists of 2 loops – a smaller loop above Truckee (Bones) and then a big loop around Lake Tahoe (Blue). The route is mostly well-maintained, single-track with some fire roads. There is a 20-mile stretch of road riding along the scenic west shore of Lake Tahoe.
The “Bones” Loop goes through the areas that the Donner Party spent their tragic winter of 1846/47. Participants will pass through the Donner Party sites at the beginning and the end of the loop. They will also descend down Donner Pass, a very important pass for pioneers making their way into California in the 1800’s.
The “Blue” loop (around Lake Tahoe) uses all of the bike-legal sections of the famous Tahoe Rim Trail. The views are stunning. While there is a lot of climbing, the trail is very rideable.
Live Tracking
For a very similar route guide, check out Cass’ recent Tahoe Twirl.
