Rubicon Trail

The Rubicon Trail is a through hike connecting D.L. Bliss State Park and Emerald Bay State Park.  You can start at either point.  I opted to start at D.L. Bliss State Park to avoid the long walk uphill to catch the Nifty Fifty shuttle.  Also, there is more available parking at Bliss.  Park your car as far down as you can to the lake as you can. 

The hike follows a well maintained trail along Lake Tahoe with great views of the clear water.  The trail ends at Emerald Bay State Park and Vikingsholm Castle.  Walk up hill following the access road to Emerald Bay Road where you can catch the Nifty Fifty shuttle to the entrance of D.L. Bliss.  It is about a 2 mile walk back to your car but it is now all down hill and there are many trails cutting the switchbacking road.

Of course, another option is to walk back the way you came for a nice, easy 12 mile hike. Which, if I were to hike this again, is the way I would do it.

Without a car you can take the Nifty Fifty shuttle to D.L. Bliss and walk the road at the beginning then after hiking the trail take the shuttle from the Vikingsholm/Eagle Falls area back to South Lake Tahoe.