Updated 24 September 2025
The Meeks Bay trail starts on Hwy 89 about 15 miles north of South Lake Tahoe, at N39 02.241 W120 07.569. From here you can hike to a string of lovely lakes, including Lake Genevieve, Crag Lake and Stony Ridge Lake. Taking the trail further leads to Rubicon Lake and a connection to the Pacific Crest Trail. There are several possibilities, including:
- Hike to Lake Genevieve (10.0 miles round trip, 1350 ft elevation gain)
- Hike to Stony Ridge Lake (12.7 miles round trip, 1663 feet elevation gain)
- Hike to Rubicon Lake (16.4 miles round trip, 2172 feet elevation gain)
A map and some photos are shown below.
Parking is limited at the trailhead itself, but there is plenty of legal parking along the highway. A Desolation Wilderness day use permit (free) must be completed at the trailhead, and you must keep the top portion with you.
Here is a map of a hike from the Meeks trailhead to Genevieve Lake, then to Crag Lake, then to Stony Ridge Lake:
This is the lovely Lake Genevieve:
Further up the Meeks Bay trail is Crag Lake:
Stony Ridge Lake is even more impressive:
Rubicon Lake is gorgeous:
