Lake Tahoe Highlights

We spent several weeks in the Lake Tahoe Area this spring. The majority of our time was filled by helping friends at their A-frame in Truckee, CA. We managed to slip a few adventures in while we were there.

Truckee A-Frame

We stayed in Carnelian Bay, a small community of mostly homes and neighborhoods. Our evening walks through the lakeside villages, Incline Village, Kings Beach and Tahoe City were a treat. Incline is an upscale community of relocated Silicon Valley folks. Kings Beach is mainly inhabited by people working in the tourist industry. Tahoe City is a local outdoor enthusiast community. It was our favorite spot to hang out. It seemed to be unmarred by the massive influx of outsiders moving to Lake Tahoe and changing the cool vibe. The Bridgetender Tavern was a great spot to rub elbows with the locals. We spent several evenings at the bar, enjoying a beer and listening to the chatter.

Kings Beach View

Kings Beach Gate

Our Spot at the bar

The Bridgetender

Bridgetender Beer with the locals

Tahoe City Lakewalk Sculpture

Bear on Tahoe City Lakewalk

Tahoe City Lakewalk View

Tahoe is an outdoor lovers paradise. Crystal clear Lake Tahoe is surrounded by mountains and covered by the bluest sky. The contrast of green pine and deep azul is mesmerizing. We hiked to several hot spots, including the North Lake Ridge Trail, Emerald Bay, Eagle Rock, Monkey Rock, and along the gorgeous Truckee River. Every direction we looked, the views were gorgeous!

Lake Tahoe North Lake Ridge Trail Views

Emerald Bay

Eagle Rock Trail Views

Monkey Rock

The Truckee River

Huge pine cones along the Truckee

Our favorite hike was on Mt. Rose. We parked in the meadow at the summit and stomped across deep snow to the Chickadee Ridge trail where the birds come feed out of your hand. It was such a beautiful experience that we went back for a second time. If we lived there, we'd visit this amazing place often!

Feeding the Chickadees on Mt. Rose

We passed the Martis Creek Wildlife Area each day on our way to Truckee. It lines both sides of Rte 267, (Brockway Summit Road). It is heavily used and intrigued us so much that we stopped one evening on our way home. We found the Tompkins Memorial Trail and followed it for 4.3 miles. The meadow is full of sagebrush that hinted it would soon be coming to full bloom. Wildflowers are starting to dot the sides of the trails which take us through meadows, forests and over beautiful creeks. Boardwalks lead us through wetland boggy areas.  It was a great hike that we'd have loved to do again.

Northstar Ski Mountain View at Martis

Tompkins Memorial Trail Map

The trail bridges were all named

Dave took me up Donner Pass to show me the scenic overlook. It is a favorite spot for locals to watch the sun set. The switchbacks and narrow roads were a bit harrowing but the view was worth it. Donner pass is the location of the tragic Donner Expedition disaster. You can read more about it here:

  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donner_Party

Donner Lake sits in the valley beneath Donner Summit. It has a series of 38 public docks that dot the north shore. When we drove by, every dock was occupied by a small group, some dangling their feet over the water, others enjoying a cocktail or a smoke. It is a beautiful place to relax and enjoy life.

Lake Tahoe is a gorgeous mountain community that is growing and changing quickly. We enjoyed the delicious smell of pine that greeted us each day. The amazing blue sky and frequent snowfall made our world tricolored, green, blue and white. The mountains are beautiful, with eight ski areas to explore. The Truckee River runs fast with deep pools and raging whitewater from Lake Tahoe to Reno. Lake Tahoe has the most beautiful clear blue water begging to be enjoyed. We were there during the "shoulder" season, (not ski season but not summer season.) It was the perfect quiet time to explore and experience the area.