It is April month and we plan to visit lake Tahoe from Dublin, near San Francisco. We already booked a lake facing cottage and took rice cooker, rice, sambhar masala and dumped in car and moved at 11 AM.
We reached Tahoe and in between enjoying the natural beauty of forests, snow clad mountains, some rains and fantastic road.
6225 feet above sea level this is the largest in North America, second largest mountainous (alpine) lake in world. This is second deepest lake in USA average 1000 feet water is 99.994 % pure. Distill water which is poured in battery is 99.998% pure. This water is enough to feed USA with 75 gallons per day for 5 years. If tallest building Wills Tower of USA is submerged in this lake the level of water still be 195 feet above the tower.
Where is Tahoe
The place is 300 KM by road from San Francisco. We can fly, take train or bus from SFO. Most of people drive as circumference of lake is too long and can best be seen by own car. The roads are fantastic but roads might be jammed in wither season, though we see many machines on side of roads.
Best season to visit
Summer temperature is 21-26 degree Celsius. The lake equally attracts visitors in all seasons. High seasons are June to August and December to March. But we visited the lake in off season April and everything was comfortable for us due to less crowd. Beware of wild fire in Summer and heavy snow fall in Winter. We can also enjoy two hour sailing cruise, private boat tour, helicopter tour in Tahoe. For outdoor activities you can stay in Truckee near Tahoe.
Our Stay
When noticed that some lamps and Wi Fi not working. We informed the owner of the villa who it seems rarely visits his property and given to caretaker company. He sent electrician and rectified only the next day. He himself so honestly waived off the the rent for the period things were not working. This reflects the business ethic in USA.
Tahoe life
There are good restaurants, market and malls available in this area. I see the restaurants flooded by young couples, families enjoying live music and taking delicacies in sun. There are many skiing and paragliding spots in Tahoe where we can also get equipment on hire.
How the lake was formed
As per information signage boards on Tahoe visitor center – The lake was formed 10 million years ago due to frequent earthquakes. Some regions moved up to form mountains and some when down deep forming valley. During ice age 10,000 years ago glaciers formed and on their melting lake formed.
Where this water goes?
Over 60 streams flow in Tahoe. Just one- the Truckee river is outlet for this lake. Eventually water flows into land locked Pyramid lake. The water of lake is clear till 1000 feet. We could not see pyramid lake though it was not very far. I saw Truckee town and flowing Truckee river on way to Yosemite.
Lake Tahoe attracts millions of visitors and is one the most visited lakes of world.
It is 36 KM long and 20 KM wide. Apart from diverse public values, this lake also symbolizes spiritual values of sacredness, purity and harmony.
Due to high depth massive heat enthalpy is stored in lake and it never freezes. It outlets in Pyramid lake of Nevada state which in turn merges in Great basin desert. One third of lake is in Nevada Lake.
The part n Nevada side looked me more cared and maintenance.
Sand Harbor Beach
This beach on Lake Tahoe falls under Nevada state. Backdrop is Carson range mountain and holds one of the most beautiful beaches of Tahoe. It is perfect place for boating, swimming and scuba diving. Tahoe in Nevada side holds for of beautiful state parks. These parks provide a total of 50 miles trekking, hiking, equestrian and mountain biking, trails and camping. For fishing license is required. The fishing is catch-and-release type. Free camping is allowed in three camp grounds- Marlette Peak, Hobart and North canyon.
There are lot of varied trails are there to take you along forest, beach and water body. We also took some trail which finished in 20 minutes with lot of information on signage boards across.
We can bring food stuff and sit aside in sand and eat. Dogs are allowed. Parking lots are full often from 11 AM to 4 PM on weekends and on weekdays from July-August.
Emerald Bay
Emerald bay is Tahoe’s crown jewel with strikingly beautiful mountains in backdrop. Taking a kayak from Baldwin beach to Emerald bay beach offers a longer and more scenic view of the area. So this route is much recommended for tourists. But the tour to Fannette island is open only in Summer. We did not cover either of these routes. This is the only island in Tahoe region.
Behind in scene is Fannette island and Vikingholm castle (38 rooms). Millions of visitors see this but only few explore its past. This 177 acre island was purchased in 1928 for $250,000 by Mr. Knight, one of the wealthiest woman of America. She used to host parties in this island. Today this property belongs to California Satae Park which they bought from her for $150,000 in 1953.
The state park today preserves Vikingholm castle and Knight’s legacy for hundreds of thousands of visitors who visit every year.
Epilogue
What makes the lake so special? I think it is not possible to answer this one blog. The lake is huge and offers gorgeous scenes from Sierra mountains, sand, snow, forest, scenes of dawn and dusk. Lot of activities like skiing, paragliding, sports, trekking, hiking, biking. Lake Tahoe is something special which beacons us again and again. We have to see it to believe it.
Things to do are limitless bit as senior citizen my wife and I enjoyed its serene beauty, listening whispers of wind passing through fur trees, drive along the banks, eating out in Mexican restaurant, lunch and coffee in busy market and seeing the smiles on hundreds of people and on my son’s family.
See you again Tahoe!
Visits: 39