Squaw Valley High Camp A Year Round Outdoor Adventure
By Carmel L. Mooney

Think of Squaw Valley USA and snow covered peaks, Winter Olympics, and unbelievable snowy views may come to mind.

Well, think again. The summer season is another perfect time to enjoy the best high elevation fun around.

About this time of year, as the lower snow melts away, visitors of all ages enjoy the other side of Squaw Valley where endless activities welcome visitors of all ages.

Although Squaw Valley has wonderful lodging possibilities in the valley itself or nearby in Reno or Tahoe, its less-than-two-hour proximity to Sacramento leaves the options open for even a day jaunt. And if a change of scenery is what you're seeking---this is just what the doctor ordered.

Deciding what to do may be your biggest problem, because as the weather warms up and cobalt skies and green meadows lie waiting to entice you, there's never a dull moment in Squaw Valley's High Camp…a true mountain-high oasis.

At 8200 feet, High Camp and its incredible cable car ride to the top offer visitors spectacular views of the valley below and majestic scenery for miles in all directions.

Still want to pretend it's winter? Well, maybe you should start off by ice skating outside on the beautiful outdoor rink where the cool mountain air will invigorate you. Right above the rink, you'll find the Squaw Valley museum which will likely take you back to yesteryear when the place got it's famous historical beginnings decades ago with Olympic greats. Browsing through newspapers clippings, photos, and mementos, you'll reminisce back to the old days.

If summer is really your mood, lounge poolside and savor the panoramic views of the Sierra Nevada and Lake Tahoe. With elevation like this, don't forget the sunscreen. There's even a poolside café for refreshments. With a pool, two islands, waterfalls, and spa this may be one of the Sierras most beautiful vistas to relax around water.

I recommend lunch at Alexander's Café where yummy treats wait to please your tasebuds like Beef Chili in a bread bowl, Squaw chips, huge burgers, filling sandwiches, and numerous rich and tempting desserts.

If adventure is in your spirit or you have younger ones with boundless energy to tame, try the climbing wall and ropes course. This challenging rope course option offers a fifty- foot tree house, giant swing and hands on team building and problem solving activities.

Serenity and relaxing exercise is available too if horse back riding is your passion. One and two hour mountain rides, lessons, and pony rides are a few of the choices.

If there's a werewolf in your pack, try one of the monthly full moon hikes. This year they're scheduled for: June 22-23, July 26-28, and August 23-25 with additional stargazing dates of: July 12-14, August 9-11, and August 30-Sept 1.

A few of the other summer events planned this year are: Father's Day, Family Kite Flying Day, A Swing Dance, Ranger hikes, American Bluegrass and Blues Festival, Art, Wine, and Music Festival, and a Sock Hop.

Of course plenty of shops, tennis, and golf are included in the possibilities at High Camp and in the valley right below. Or you may choose to bring the mountain bikes and enjoy some of the most gorgeous biking trails around, throughout the valley floor. The wildlife is truly spectacular.

Try a High Camp Adventure outing this summer. There's so much more to Squaw Valley than meets the eye! If you think there are too many choices and too much fun to pack into a single day, you may be right..