Our Tahoe Mountain Real Estate Team was afforded the opportunity to explore Northstar’s backyard with our resident historian, friend, and fellow real estate agent, Ann McBride.
Ann guided us through a few miles of the Tompkins Memorial Trail which is located throughout Northstar Mountain and provides guests and the residential developments links to the Martis Valley and Porcupine Hill areas.
One trailhead is at the corner of Northstar Drive and Big Springs. Benches and trail map postings can be found at various locations along the trail. The trail is easily accessible and surrounds Northstar Condominiums.
Our hike took us to an ancient Native American summer camp situated on a panoramic knoll. I could almost see those original Indian women working the grinding stones to mill their flour. Although living during that time was work, I thought that maybe it wasn’t too unbearable to be surrounded by family friends as you worked away on that warm, sun-drenched slab of rock, laughing and talking with a feeling of safety because they had full view of everything around, in any direction. That vision gave me a whole new sense of connection that was better than simply stepping into a museum and looking at a wax figures and artifacts.
Our group then proceeded along the trail into a peaceful tree-shaded area that has a year-round trickling stream running alongside this stretch of trail. A perfectly placed park table and bench on the other side of the stream invites you to bring a lunch and enjoy the serenity. We all wished we could linger a while, and Ann’s dog was hard pressed to get out of the water and leave this special place. As we walked back down the trail and off to work, I felt very lucky to begin my day here in this beautiful place.
The Northstar Community Services District provides recreational amenities to the public in the form of trails. The District, in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Northstar California have constructed and continue to maintain over 14.6 miles of multi-use trails. All of these trails are open to the public for hiking, running and biking.
