The Alpenglow Mountain Festival is a week of free community events that includes guided hikes, trail runs, lakeside yoga, natural history excursions, equipment demos, and presentations. The festival started on June 21 and runs until June 29, and while it may be half over, there’s still lots of great events to choose from. To help you select from the dizzying amount of activities, Moonshine Ink staff picked their favorites. For a full festival schedule, visit Alpenglow’s website.
Trail Shoe Demos
Wednesday, June 25 through Friday, June 27, see schedule for times With all of the different trail shoe companies and designs on shelves, and prices that might make you think twice before blindly purchasing your next pair, product demos are quite valuable. That’s why Alpenglow Mountain Festival’s schedule includes several trail shoe demos, most of which are scheduled around the same times as the community fun runs, giving participants the option to run with a group or take a solo trip. Check out Altra’s zero drop shoe on June 25, join the Tahoe Rim Trail group run with a pair of Montrails on the 26th, or check out Salomon’s mobile showroom on the 27th — with over 200 demo shoes, apparel, and hydration packs — then test their designs on the trail of your choice. ~ Ashley Owen/Moonshine Ink
Community Yoga on the Lake at Commons Beach
Thursday, June 26 and Sunday, June 29, 8 a.m. When I saw that Hanni Schwiesow would be teaching yoga on the beach for the Alpenglow Mountain Festival, I immediately signed up. I have taken Hanni’s classes before at Studio Tahoe in Truckee and at the Tahoe Yoga Institute in Tahoe City, and love her vinyasa flow classes. As someone who has been an avid yogi for the past 13 years, I am picky about my teachers, but I think Hanni has it all — she combines a deep knowledge about the practice with an athletic flow that gets your heart pumping. And what can be better than yoga outside on the shores of one of the most beautiful lakes in the world? ∼ Melissa Siig/Moonshine Ink
Community Hike: Exploring the Tahoe Rim Trail
Thursday, June 26, 9 a.m. While all of the community hikes look interesting and fun, this one caught my attention because of the beautiful views of Lake Tahoe, Twin Peaks, and Alpine Meadows that the hike promises. Although I have hiked part of the Tahoe Rim Trail, I never tire of the terrain or scenery this trail offers. The added bonus to this event is that hikers will also learn about the geology along the way. Guided by the Tahoe Rim Trail Association, this hike has a moderate 10 percent uphill grade to the ridge overlooking Lake Tahoe. Children who can hike are welcome to join, so bring the whole family! ∼ Kara Fox/Moonshine Ink
Community Presentation: “Running with Tarahumara”
Thursday, June 26, 7 p.m. As a travel, photography, and running enthusiast, this presentation seems to hit the mark on all accounts. Luis Escobar, a professional photographer and distance runner, has traveled to Northern Mexico’s Copper Canyon and photographed the Tarahumara “Running People.” He narrates his photo collection in a 45-minute presentation, while discussing topics such as how and why Tarahumara people run such great distances (up to 200 miles at a time), their running style, and their effect on current day running in the U.S. I’ve heard people talk about barefoot running and the book Born to Run, yet I don’t know much about it. I look forward to hearing this presentation. ∼ Lauren Shearer/Moonshine Ink
