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Tahoe Rim Trail: Big Meadow

Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, California · 3 min read

Distance
7 mi
Elevation Gain
900 ft
Difficulty
moderate
Route Type
Out-And-Back
Best Season
July through October
Est. Time
3.5-5 hours
Dog Friendly
Yes
Kid Friendly
No
Difficulty Score
5 / 10

Trailhead Amenities

Restroom
Vault Toilet
Parking
Free
Cell Service
No Signal
Water
Nearby
Camping
Dispersed
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Conditions, regulations, and fees change frequently. Verify with the local ranger district before your trip. Full disclaimer

At a Glance

  • South shore ridgeline of the Tahoe Rim Trail with consistent Lake Tahoe views
  • Big Meadow, a broad subalpine meadow at the start with seasonal wildflowers
  • Round Lake, a quiet backcountry lake accessible on a short side trip
  • Dardanelles volcanic outcrop with distinctive dark basalt formations
  • One of the less-crowded entry points to the Tahoe Rim Trail
alpine meadowviewslakewildflowers

Overview

The Big Meadow trailhead on Luther Pass is one of the quieter entry points to the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit's section of the Tahoe Rim Trail, offering consistent south shore ridge views and a more solitary experience than the heavily trafficked north shore TRT sections. The 7.0-mile out-and-back gains 900 feet across the subalpine ridgeline, with access to Round Lake on a short side trip and distinctive Dardanelles volcanic formations along the way.

No permit required. Dogs are welcome on leash.

The Route

Miles 0 to 1.0: Big Meadow crossing. From the CA-89 trailhead on Luther Pass, the trail crosses Big Meadow, a broad subalpine grassland that blooms with paintbrush and mule's ear in July. The meadow edges are lined with willows and lodgepole pine. The meadow is wet in June and early July; water crossings at the meadow creek are easy hop-overs by midsummer.

Miles 1.0 to 2.5: Ridge climb. The trail climbs from the meadow onto the south shore ridgeline of the Tahoe Rim Trail. The views of Lake Tahoe improve steadily as elevation increases. The Round Lake junction appears near mile 2.0; a 0.5-mile side trip leads to a quiet backcountry lake with good fishing and dispersed camping.

Miles 2.5 to 3.5: Dardanelles and ridgeline traverse. The trail continues across the ridge with the Dardanelles volcanic rock visible to the south and Lake Tahoe views opening to the north. The turnaround is at a highpoint above 9,000 feet with panoramic views.

Return. Retrace the ridge and meadow back to the trailhead.

When to Hike

Mid-July through October for dry meadow conditions and clear ridgeline hiking.

October for fall color in the willows and aspens of Big Meadow and quieter conditions on the ridge.

July can have wet meadow crossings and some residual snow on the upper ridge.

What to Bring

Many hikers carry 1.5 liters of water. Round Lake provides water for the side trip (treat before drinking). Layers for the exposed ridgeline; wind and temperature drop significantly at 9,000 feet even on summer days.

Trailhead Access

CA-89 at Luther Pass, 7 miles south of South Lake Tahoe toward Markleeville. The Big Meadow Trailhead is on the east side of the highway at the pass. From South Lake Tahoe, allow 15 minutes.

Nearby

The Fallen Leaf Lake Loop and Glen Alpine Trail are in the same south shore area. The Tahoe Rim Trail: Tahoe Meadows section provides the north shore TRT comparison. See the full Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit guide. Follow Leave No Trace principles through the meadow ecosystem.

Trailhead Parking

Big Meadow Trailhead on CA-89 at Luther Pass, 7 miles south of South Lake Tahoe. Paved pullout. No fee. Moderate use on summer weekends.

← Back to Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Big Meadow section of the TRT less crowded than the Tahoe Meadows section?
Generally yes. The Big Meadow trailhead on Luther Pass sees significantly less use than the Tahoe Meadows trailhead on NV-431, partly because it is a longer drive from South Lake Tahoe and not on a main tourist corridor. Weekday visits at Big Meadow are often nearly solitary even in peak season. The south shore TRT section is less photogenic on social media than the north shore, which also keeps crowds manageable.
What is the Dardanelles?
The Dardanelles is a series of volcanic rock outcroppings composed of dark basalt and andesite, visible from the Big Meadow TRT section. The formations are remnants of volcanic flows from the Cascades volcanic system that overlaid the granite Sierra Nevada bedrock millions of years ago. The dark volcanic rock stands out against the lighter granite that characterizes most of the Tahoe basin.
Can I access the Tahoe Rim Trail through-hike from Big Meadow?
Yes. Big Meadow is one of the more convenient trailhead access points for the 165-mile Tahoe Rim Trail. Northbound hikers from Big Meadow can reach the Meiss Meadow area and eventually the Echo Summit section of the TRT. Southbound access connects to the Heavenly Valley ridgeline section. Through-hikers do not need a permit for the TRT outside the Desolation Wilderness segment.