Route Check: Tahoe Pyramid Trail
Cyclist Conrad Snover negotiates a winding track.
Gravel, single track, wagon roads, gunshots, views, and throttle therapy.
For the past year or so, if you found yourself hanging out at Pacos in Spring you might hear a rider or two speak about the amazing gravel riding from Truckee to the North and East along the river through the canyon all the way to Verdi, Nevada.
Known to all as the Tahoe-Pyramid Trail or (TPT) and Dog Valley Road, this alternate route is riddled in wild west history, abandonment, beauty, and peculiar activities including an on-trail spring fed hot tub and a ghetto blaster with Snoop Dawg playin’. Just in case you want to break-ride for a hot tub and a shot of tequila. Welcome to Nevada.
We took the less daunting approach recommended by single track ripper Sam Shields beginning on the Legacy Trail out to Hirschdale where we journeyed to the TPT trailhead which lies near the Truckee River to the East of Hirschdale.
Once on the trail we found ourselves rolling through sections of smooth sagebrush single track intermixed with river rocky sections, flowing descents, and rolling wooden structures suspended from the hillsides. Additionally we crossed a couple of amazing bridges and had to demonstrate peripheral balance and mettle to ride across the narrow, wind-swaying bridge with one inch plank cracks. You don’t want to fall in.
Once in Verdi, we begin the climbing out to Dog Valley Road from Verdi, passing the historic state line tribute marker (apparently debated over until the early 80’s), and back up and over Verdi Peak to Stampede Reservoir. This section is quite nice but riddled with off-road vehicles so stay close to your mates and take note of the distant valley views to the North.
Notice the interplay of a birds whistle and a throttle jerk from a helmetless quad racer with his eyes popping out of his head from dust clouds and lack of eye protection. Now you have entered the wild west. Take cover, smile ear to ear, and never mind the nearby gunshots, you're just on a little bike ride from home in Truckee.
Immediately after cresting Dog Valley Road, you enter a seemingly blissful zone void of culture clash and abandonment and full of wild beauty. As you roll South West around Stampede, turn across the dam and head into Russell Valley. There are many routes back to Prosser Reservoir, we took an off-the beaten-path approach avoiding the fire road option and riding straight down the valley to the moto trail then back to Prosser Reservoir a few miles down the path.
We rolled through posted bird houses, green pastures and streams all the way back to Truckee for a smooth adventure and colorful perspective.
Use this map to base your adventure plans from and have a great time.