Lake Tahoe from the Basalt Overlook

To be perfectly honest, I’m not sure if the trail I took from Skyland to the Basalt Overlook (just off the Tahoe Rim Trail) is all that official. But I found it on AllTrails, so that counts for something, right? At any rate, there is a small pulloff for a parking area and no signs telling me to “trespass not.” And with views this spectacular, plus a pleasant forest walk, it’s a great way to enjoy Lake Tahoe!

Quick Stats

Round Trip Length: 2.6 miles Trail Type: Out & back Elevation Gain: 934ft. Pets: Leashed Fees: None

The Skyland "trailhead" en route to the Basalt Overlook, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, California — The Skyland “trailhead”

My route up to the Basalt Overlook began in the Skyland neighborhood, a vacation cottage community above the western side of Lake Tahoe. Other than the confusing roads (it’s a real maze up here!), it was pretty quiet, and no one looked at us weird. The trailhead is at the very top of the hill; it’s just what appears to be a driveway heading up into the hills beyond. The parking area is little more than a wide spot of dirt on the other side of the road just uphill of the trailhead – you might be able to squeeze in three cars if they were compact. Please don’t park anywhere except this dirt area; the rest of the driveways, etc., are private.

The road turns right here; continue straight like this hiker on his way up to Basalt Overlook, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, California — The road turns right here; continue straight like this hiker

Hike up the long, paved driveway as it passes a house or two and then becomes gravel. At the end of the first switchback, continue straight on the trail instead of following the road to the right up toward the water tower. The trail continues straight for a short distance before turning sharply right. It quickly becomes somewhat brushy, but there’s no question that it’s a trail. Be sure to look up and to the left – you can see the lower part of the basalt columns (below the overlook) high above you (not that it’s anything like a straight shot to get up there!)

Looking up toward the Basalt Overlook - this is a lower peak than the one you'll be visiting, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, California — Looking up toward the Basalt Overlook – this is a lower peak than the one you’ll be visiting

There are also peek-a-boo views to Lake Tahoe.

Views through the trees to Lake Tahoe en route to the Basalt Overlook, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, California — Views through the trees to Lake Tahoe

After entering the forest, the trail is less brushy as it rises along the hillside. This was a fairly pleasant hike, if steep. There were a few trees to climb over, but nothing crazy.

The intersection of your trail with the Tahoe Rim Trail en route to the Basalt Overlook, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, California — The intersection of your trail with the Tahoe Rim Trail

After a mile, the trail suddenly intersects the Tahoe Rim Trail – there are no signs, so you’ll just have to know to turn left (and remember where you turned so that you can take it on the way back!)

The turnoff (on the left) for the Basalt Overlook on the Tahoe Rim Trail, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, California — The turnoff (on the left) for the Basalt Overlook on the Tahoe Rim Trail

The trail continues to climb another 0.2 miles to an open area with a social trail through the bushes on the left. Turn slightly downhill through the bushes (it’s a well-enough defined trail, but it’s not marked so you’ll have to watch for the turnoff – it’s at the point where the Tahoe Rim Trail swings right).

The first Basalt Overlook is on top of that pile of rocks - the path is a little sketchy but doable, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, California — The first overlook is on top of that pile of rocks – the path is a little sketchy but doable

A tenth of a mile will bring you to the first overlook – to get here, turn right on one of the multiple social paths on top of the Basalt Overlook to descend and then ascend up a rocky scramble to the top of the viewpoint. Use care, as the path is slightly slippery (and not all of the rocks are stable).

Views down to Lake Tahoe from the Basalt Overlook, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, California — Views down to Lake Tahoe

The views from here are spectacular. Be sure to look right up the valley as well as out to Lake Tahoe.

Looking up the valley from the fist Basalt Overlook, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, California — Looking up the valley from the fist overlook

To get to the second overlook, retrace your steps back up to the main social trail (near where you turned right) and turn right to effectively take the social trail straight out to the end of the point.

Heading out to the second Basalt Overlook (on a much better trail than the first overlook), Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, California — Heading out to the second overlook (on a much better trail than the first overlook)

The views from here are more of Lake Tahoe and the mountains across the way. We were surprised just how much this view reminded us of Lake George in the Adirondacks.

Views of Lake Tahoe and the mountains in Nevada from the second Basalt Overlook, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, California — Views of Lake Tahoe and the mountains in Nevada from the second overlook

When you’ve enjoyed the view, feel free to explore more of the Tahoe Rim Trail before descending the way you came back to the trailhead!

Heading back down the trail to the Skyland "trailhead" from the Basalt Overlook, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, California — Heading back down the trail to the Skyland “trailhead”

Round Trip Trail Length: I went 2.6 miles

Elevation Gain: 934ft. (6,437ft. to 7,094ft.)

Facilities: None

Fees: None

Views south from the trail back down to the Basalt Overlook Trailhead, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, California — Views south from the trail back down to the trailhead

Trail Notes: Be sure to respect the property rights and privacy of the neighbors – it’s altogether possible that “no parking” signs might go up if you or others are annoying. Bicycles are allowed (and often used) on the Tahoe Rim Trail, so be wary of wheeled adventurers.

A single paintbrush flower en route to the Basalt Overlook, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, California — A single paintbrush flower

Trail

Road

Signs

Scenery

Would I go 100 miles out of my way for this?

Overall Rating:

Interesting segments of moss on a fallen tree trunk en route to the Basalt Overlook, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, California — Interesting segments of moss on a fallen tree trunk

GPS Coordinates for the Basalt Overlook

Parking area: 39.1153050°, -120.1635500° (39°06.91830′, -120°09.81300′ / 39°06’55.0980″, -120°09’48.7800″) (6,436ft.) (0.0)

Tahoe Rim Trail Junction: 39.1197980°, -120.1704980° (39°07.18788′, -120°10.22988′ / 39°07’11.2728″, -120°10’13.7928″) (7,143ft.) (1.02)

Overlook Junction: 39.1178980°, -120.1695170° (39°07.07388′, -120°10.17102′ / 39°07’04.4328″, -120°10’10.2612″) (7,209ft.) (1.19)

Looking down from the first Basalt Overlook, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, California — Looking down from the first overlook

Basalt Overlook: 39.1172110°, -120.1693290° (39°07.03266′, -120°10.15974′ / 39°07’01.9596″, -120°10’09.5844″) (7,171ft.) (1.26)

2nd Basalt Overlook: 39.1174900°, -120.1686400° (39°07.04940′, -120°10.11840′ / 39°07’02.9640″, -120°10’07.1040″) (7,181ft.) (1.40)

End (TH): 39.1153060°, -120.1636220° (39°06.91836′, -120°09.81732′ / 39°06’55.1016″, -120°09’49.0392″) (6,439ft.) (2.61)

Looking back at the first Basalt Overlook from the second overlook... it's a little more impressive from this angle, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, California — Looking back at the first overlook from the second overlook… it’s a little more impressive from this angle

The gpx file for the Basalt Overlook can be downloaded – please note that this and the GPS Coordinates are for reference only and should not be used as a sole resource when hiking this trail.

Download GPX File size: 33.3 KB Downloaded 31 times

(Note: I do my best to ensure that all downloads, the webpage, etc. are virus-free and accurate; however, I cannot be held responsible for any damage that might result, including but not limited to loss of data, damages to hardware, harm to users, from use of files, information, etc. from this website. Thanks!)

Still-snowy peaks toward the Desolation Wilderness from the Basalt Overlook, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, California — Still-snowy peaks toward the Desolation Wilderness

Getting to the Basalt Overlook

From I-80, take Exit 185 for CA-89S. Make sure you continue on CA-89S through two traffic circles (take the 3^rd exit and then the 1^st exit). Another traffic circle will appear after 13.3 miles; take the 1^st exit to continue on CA-89S; repeat taking the 1^st exit to CA-89S 0.3 miles later in yet another traffic circle. Drive 3.7 miles; turn right onto Elizabeth Drive. The road will go steeply uphill into a neighborhood of vacation cabins. After 0.3 miles, the road turns slightly right and becomes Leota Way; the “parking area” (little more than a wide spot in the road with enough dirt between the pavement and the trees on the steep hillside for about three cars) will be on the right almost at the top of the hill. A long driveway will be on the left; this is the beginning of the trail.

Peek-a-boo views across Lake Tahoe from the trail to the Basalt Overlook, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, California — Peek-a-boo views across Lake Tahoe

From where CA-89 meets US-50 near South Lake Tahoe, turn north on CA-89 for 23 miles. Turn left onto Elizabeth Drive. The road will go steeply uphill into a neighborhood of vacation cabins. After 0.3 miles, the road turns slightly right and becomes Leota Way; the “parking area” (little more than a wide spot in the road with enough dirt between the pavement and the trees on the steep hillside for about three cars) will be on the right almost at the top of the hill. A long driveway will be on the left; this is the beginning of the trail.

Visual trail map and elevation profile for the Skyland to the Basalt Overlook Trail

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