Today our exploration took us west from the Carson City area. We got on US-50 from town and started up the long hill to Lake Tahoe. Lake Tahoe is the highest alpine lake in North America with many streams feeding it but only the Truckee River draining it. The lake level is 6229 feet at the surface. It is quite clear with beautiful aquamarine water along the shallow edges. It is also pretty big – 22 miles by 12 miles and 1645 feet deep. Surrounding it are very expensive lakeside residences of truly astonishing magnitude, casinos (on the Nevada side of the lake), stands of pine and cedar trees and a road that is supposed to go all the way around the lake.
We turned north on NV-28 from US-50 and tried to circle the lake going counterclockwise. We passed through Incline Village in Nevada but right after that we entered California. We continued on 28 until we got to Tahoe City where the road south becomes CA-89. We continued south down the west shore of the lake until we got to Emerald Bay State Park where the highway was closed. We were not going to be able to continue on into South Lake Tahoe and complete today’s loop. However, there is a magnificent view from the Emerald Bay Overlook where visitors can look down into Emerald Bay where the only island in the lake, Fannette Island, pops up through the dark blue lake water. Beyond Emerald Bay you can see the main part of Lake Tahoe and the resorts and casinos of South Lake Tahoe at the south shore.
We had to return to our RV park in Minden by the same route we arrived by due to the closed US-89 but the drive along the lake is just as magnificent going the other way. There are many terrific vistas along the shoreline. This area is also quite crowded; there has been substantial development around the lake and there are very few spots where you will not see a house. Gas and diesel is quite pricey here so fill up before you go.
We took a few pix along the way and you can see them if you click here