Snowshoe events along Lake Tahoe’s west shore set at Sugar Pine Point State Park

California State Parks is offering two activities this month at Ed Z’Berg Sugar Pine Point State Park, located south of Tahoma on Tahoe’s west shore.

On Saturday, Feb. 12, a state park guide will lead Snowshoe Through History, a hike along Lake Tahoe’s west shore.

The easy tour explores the lake front and the Hellman-Ehrman Mansion estate. Learn about the natural environment that attracted Tahoe’s earliest settlers and explore the fascinating history of a Tahoe landmark.

The one-and-a-half-hour hike starts at 11 a.m. and begins near the restrooms in the day use side of the park (lake side entrance off Highway 89).

The program is free, but there is a parking fee of $5 per vehicle. Bring your own snowshoes, or rent snowshoes at a local sporting goods shop such as West Shore Sports in Homewood.

On Saturday Feb. 20, rangers will lead a one-and-a-half-hour full moon snowshoe tour exploring the natural and cultural history around the Hellman-Ehrman estate and Lake Tahoe shoreline.

For those new to snowshoeing, there will be a beginner’s clinic at 6:30 p.m. The hike starts at 7 p.m. near the restrooms in the day use side of the park. The program costs $25 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under.

The cost includes the tour, parking, and snowshoe rentals. This fundraiser is made possible through the generosity of West Shore Sports, and all proceeds from the tour support the Sierra State Parks Foundation.

Space is limited and reservations must be made through the “Events” tab at the Sierra State Parks Foundation website: sierrastateparks.org. To check availability on the day of the event only, call West Shore Sports at 530-525-9920.

More information and an expanded schedule of the winter activities offered by California State Parks can be found at www.parks.ca.gov under Ed Z’Berg Sugar Pine Point State Park.