Prey Meadows / Skunk Harbor
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 6200′ / 6800′
Mileage (one way): 1.5 miles
Directions to Trailhead: Take Highway 28 from Highway 50 north approximately 2 miles. Look for an iron pipe gate on the west side of the highway. Park in one of the turnouts along the highway but do not block the gate.
Trail: Snow free in early spring, this is a great walk through a mixed conifer forest with filtered views of Lake Tahoe along the way. When you reach a fork in the road, you have two options. The left fork leads to Prey Meadows which is blanketed with many varieties of wildflowers in the spring. The right fork leads you to Skunk Harbor, a small picturesque cove which offers great swimming and sunbathing in the summer.
Attractions and Considerations: Look for the remains of an old railroad grade along the way, built in the 1870’s as part of the network to supply timber to Virginia City.
Useful Map Information: USDA Forest Service map: Lake Tahoe Basin Mgnt. Unit: R.18 E. T. 15 N. Forest Service road: 15N67