Johnson Canyon Overlook via Glacier Way Trailhead is a 3.9 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Truckee, California that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from April until September. Dogs are also able to use this trail.
dog friendly
kid friendly
cross country skiing
hiking
mountain biking
nature trips
snowshoeing
running
forest
views
wild flowers
wildlife
A casual hike in the Tahoe Donner area with scenic views of Tahoe Donner Lake, Johnson Canyon (also known as Negro Canyon), and the surrounding areas. Great for kids. This hike starts on Glacier Way Road off of Skislope Way. You start on Glacier Way trail before taking a right onto the Donner Lake Rim Trail. These trails are within the Tahoe Donner Trail System which is within the Tahoe National Forest.
Fun trail and beautiful. Close to Truckee with parking at the trail head. Busy trail. There were families with small children, mountain bikers and trail runners. Great views of the west end of Donner lake and beautiful mountain sides. You can see the transcontinental railroad and the snow sheds.
So beautiful!! Nice views and not too much steepness - a few mountain bikers
Gravel road then narrow dirt bike path. No shade but worth the effort for views of Donnor Lake and surrounding mountains. Several hikers and hikers on trail.
6/26/20 - Hiked this weekend with a group of friends! There is a nice parking lot at the top and the trail is well marked throughout the hike. There are gorgeous views along the entire trail. We went around 11 on Saturday and we saw several other groups plus, lots of mountain bikers, but it never felt too crowded as the trail is pretty wide for a majority of the hike. Would definitely recommend this trail!
Nice hike great views. Trail is rocky in places. Not many people which is nice.
Awesome hike. Bring plenty of sunscreen because there is not much covering.
Hot and dry, so bring lots of water. Great for all ages and dogs. We cut towards the edge a little less than half way to the end and the view was gorgeous!
this was overall a good little jaunt especially for this one here being new at this and not in that good of shape. best thing I think is we got to be in a small little flurry cloud that was like our own mini blizzard. I would recommend this to others who are trying to get out and get into better shape.
05/31/20: Easy and entertaining hike. The area and views are gorgeous. Lots of little side trails to explore. We went up to the hut for lunch which was super cute. A little snow left but easy to walk through. Lots of bikes and good amount of hikers.
Great trail with great views! It’s a bit exposed and sunny, so if you’re looking for something woodsier this isn’t it. Most of the snow is gone other than a few small segments near the end (and if you go up on Far Side trail as I did there’s a bit more snow).
Awesome views. Nice trail, pretty mellow. Took the Farside trail on the way back...still a lot of snow on that trail.
It’s a nice easy walk with kiddos but no shade.
Snow at the very top, no issues with regular tennis shoes. Beautiful views of the west end of donner lake and there are a ton of trails leading off this one. Decent traffic around noon
First half mile is wide and potential for heavy traffic. As you get further back it is more in nature but still fully exposed. Very little snow at end of trail
nice easy trail for family. still some snow on the trail
Perfect for this time of year. Took my dog and she loved it, some snow at the very top but no issue at all and easy to walk right over. Can’t beat the view!
Closed now.. had to walk past sugar bowl and kind of navigate the hill.. need snow shoes
Alex C.
Fairly easy hike with some spectacular views
Snowshoed this trail yesterday, plenty of fresh snow. Fantastic view of Donner Lake which made for a lovely backdrop for our wine and cheese
Really nice winter trail. Great with the dog. Right now it’s not icy. Boots are fine. You don’t need spikes or snowshoes unless you want to go off trail.
It's about a mile out to the point. With new snow tonight and thru Thursday, I'd suggest snowshoes if you're staying up top. Encountered 25+ mph and bigger gusts today, but the view of Donner Lake was nice.
Did this today with my daughter. Pretty views and couldn’t have asked for better weather today! I wore jeans and hiking boots! No snowshoes required even though there were folks wearing them along with full snow gear. But it was so nice today- it wasn’t really necessary. Can’t wait to do this hike again in the summer and maybe get some sunset photos! Road was icy getting to trailhead,
Boots with cleats were sufficient. Took long way around and main trail back. Heavy traffic at trailhead but then thinned out. Tons of dogs. Great views. If you take the outer look it’s more of a moderate rather than Easy level.
