California · Mountain biking · Near Sunnyside-Tahoe City

Western States

1.3 mi
round trip
650 ft
climb
Singletrack
surface
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is Western States open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists an alert for Tahoe National Forest.

  • Camping and Campfire Restrictions-Truckee and Sierraville Districts

    Agency alert covering Tahoe National Forest · Order 17-25-05 · USFS · Tahoe National Forest

As of · Source: USFS · Tahoe National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Western States is a mountain biking route in California's Tahoe National Forest, within the Truckee Ranger District. The Forest Service manages the land, and the ride is an out-and-back of about 2.6 miles with a 650-foot elevation gain, starting from a low point of about 6,159 feet and reaching a high of about 6,830 feet. Summer is the most comfortable time to ride. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Tahoe City show July highs around 78°F with lows near 46°F and only about one wet day in the month. That station sits roughly 600 feet below the route's high point, so temperatures up top run cooler. The Olympic Valley-Western States Connector links to the route about 0.4 miles away, and the Western States Trail passes within half a mile. For an overnight stay, Silver Creek-Truckee campground is about 1.8 miles off. Climbers can head to Twin Crags, about 2.9 miles away.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Silver Creek-Truckee

    Campground

    Campground · 1.8 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    River Ranch

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 1 mi
  • If it rains

    Watson Cabin

    Museum

    Museum · 3.6 mi from Sunnyside-Tahoe City

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Sunnyside-Tahoe City

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit Western States

    Best months: May–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      40° / 21°

      11 wet · 7 snow

    2. Feb

      40° / 21°

      10 wet · 7 snow

    3. Mar

      45° / 24°

      10 wet · 7 snow

    4. Apr

      50° / 28°

      8 wet · 4 snow

    5. May

      59° / 34°

      7 wet · 1 snow

    6. Jun

      69° / 40°

      3 wet

    7. Jul

      78° / 46°

      1 wet

    8. Aug

      77° / 45°

      2 wet

    9. Sep

      70° / 41°

      2 wet

    10. Oct

      59° / 33°

      4 wet · 1 snow

    11. Nov

      48° / 26°

      7 wet · 3 snow

    12. Dec

      40° / 21°

      10 wet · 6 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Tahoe City, CA, 3.6 mi away at 6,230 ft. The station sits about 600 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors