hwy 50 to tahoe

March 11, 07
Hwy 50 before Tahoe
sunny clear warm
snow on the ground but no jackets required


(before Sierra at Tahoe, big S curve in 50)
Lover's Leap

Decided to take a day trip up to Tahoe - try to get a bit of snow in before its all gone. So little has fallen this year, there's only about sixy percent of normal snow pack. And now it's forecast to be quite warm this next full week.


Driving along the lake - kids stop & throw snowballs - near Cascade Creek -

Highs in the valley are supposed to be nearly eighty today - Tahoe is predicted to be low sixty's - certainly feels spring like.

We've brought all our cold weather gear, but all we really need are boots for tromping in the snow.


Bayview Ridge
between Emerald Bay & Cascade Lake

We stop in a pull out on 89 on Bayview Ridge - overlooking both Cascade Lake to the south and Emerald Bay to the north. The road really has no extra space, making it an excercise in trusting passing drivers - but the views are spectacular & the weather amazing -


Cascade Lake & Maggies Peaks

(I was standing on that rock to take the first shot)


Emerald Point

Hiking along the ridge is not too strenuous but causes my heart & lungs to work a bit harder, reminding me that I'm at about 6500 feet.


Emerald Bay with Fannette Island

Kids play in the snow, sled a bit along the road, Deidre makes a tiny snowman before we go on...


Meeks Creek

Farther up the west shore, Meeks Creek catches my eye - this place is packed in summer but pretty much deserted now, except for the firemen at the station here. Deidre builds another tiny snowman.


Kaspian Cove?

Farther up again, just north of McKinney Bay - I have to climb up on top of the snow drift - occasionally stepping/falling into knee deep snow -


Coming back toward the car I see the snow comes nearly to the edge of the lake. Getting there I step/fall through a few more times, a little worried that I could catch my leg between rocks along the shoreline -

Again, nearly empty now when summer brings so many.




We continue our trek along the western shore til we get to Tahoe City, then follow the Truckee River north for awhile - Deidre buils a couple more tiny snowmen - I actually hear a bird singing, not sure what sort of songbird would spend all winter in the Sierra.



Getting a bit later - nearly 4 p.m. now - wading through a patch of ankle deep snow makes me breathe a little hard - the sun keeps me plenty warm. I've never even wanted my sweat jacket today, in fact, been pushing my long sleeves up -



River winds around both sides of an island.

Just about time to head home now...