Gorgeous Spring Waterfalls in Tahoe
Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 4:15 pm
Gorgeous Spring Waterfalls in Tahoe
Spectacular Spring Hiking
by Katrina Paz
May 16th, 2006
OutdoorNewsWire.com
TAHOE CITY, CA - Record-breaking spring snow continues to grace the North Lake Tahoe area as waterfall season begins to peak throughout the Sierra Nevada.
Eagle Falls are the North Shore's most prominent falls, cascading down the hills just a stone's throw away from the renowned Emerald Bay on the West Shore. Lower Eagle Falls can be seen from the roadside on Highway 89's Emerald Bay/Vikingsholm parking area. To get to the base of the lower falls, a one-mile walk, take the maintained trail from the Emerald Bay parking that lot leads down to the lake. Upper Eagle Falls is a short quarter-mile hike up from the Eagle Falls picnic area. Avid, experienced hikers can continue on into the Desolation Wilderness, where a number of falls can be found.
Cascade Falls is an impressive sight with 200-feet of rushing water falling into Cascade Lake with views of Lake Tahoe on the horizon. Access to the trailhead (one from the falls) is at Bayview Campground, opposite Emerald Bay's Inspiration Point on the West Shore.
Lower Glen Alpine Creek Falls, or Fallen Leaf Falls, can be found from Fallen Leaf Lake Road, three miles northwest of the Highway 50 junction on the West Shore. From Fallen Leaf Lake Road, turn left on road 1216 to signs for the falls. The 60-foot cascade is easily accessible from the road. To reach the upper falls, follow the trail one-half mile up from the trailhead.
Travelers to North Lake Tahoe will also find easier recreational access to the lake, thanks to the heavy spring precipitation. While many North Shore boat ramps have already opened for the season, kayakers are also touting the shores' trouble-free access for watercraft due to the high waters.
North Lake Tahoe is a 45-minute drive from the Reno Tahoe International Airport, two hours from Sacramento International Airport and just over three hours from San Francisco International Airport. For lodging reservations and event details, contact the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association, the area's largest reservation center, at 1-800-824-6348 or visit http://www.PureTahoeNorth.com. The visitor's information center in Tahoe City is located at 380 North Lake Boulevard.
