Carson Pass

I crossed the Nevada state-line in South Lake Tahoe.

I was back in California.

My next hurdle was the Sierra Nevada Mountains.


A major winter snowstorm was coming. A few of the mountain passes were already closed.


I continued south on Rt. 89 to Grover Hot Springs State Park.



Grover Hot Springs has geothermal pools open to the public for wading.



A road crew informed me the pass on Rt. 4 was closed.


I doubled-back on Rt. 89. I reached Rt. 88 and headed west over the Sierras.



The grade to the Kit Carson Pass was steep.



Luckily, the Carson Pass was clear. Just a little ice on the road.


I entered the El Dorado National Forest.



The GPS started to let me down. It didn't label a reservoir.



I passed through some ice and slush, reaching Kirkwood Meadows.

Zephyr Cove

From Cave Rock
I continued south.

I made one last
stop in Nevada.

Zephyr Cove has a wide sandy beach.

It also offers commercial day-cruises around Lake Tahoe.


With camping and an RV park, Zephyr Cove stands in contrast to its neighbor.



South Lake Tahoe marks the state line between Nevada & California.



I was hoping to take the aerial tram there.



But a snowstorm was expected to blanket the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Cave Rock

After Sand Harbor,
I left the shore of Lake Tahoe.

Hwy 28 cuts inland; then back to the lake.

I passed through a tunnel; almost missing the turn-off to Cave Rock State Park.



This tunnel was blasted through a huge chunk of basalt.


Don't be fooled by exposed volcanic rock, such as the basalt of Cave Rock.



Lake Tahoe was formed by normal faulting and is not a caldera.


Cave Rock was popular for rock climbing. Especially in winter, when other areas were covered in snow.


I was told climbing Cave Rock is no longer permitted. Something to do with Native American sacred beliefs.


These stop-offs on the Nevada side of Hwy 28 are mostly part of Lake Tahoe-Nevada State Park.


These designations are interesting. Lake Tahoe is split between two states: Nevada & California.


And, among five counties: Placer, El Dorado, Douglas, Washoe, & Carson City.

Why does Carson City claim a slice of Lake Tahoe?

It's city limits have bizarre panhandle; stretching through the mountains and into the lake...

Sand Harbor

I continued south from Memorial Point
to Sand Harbor.

Sand Harbor State Park

is a small peninsula on the east shore of Lake Tahoe.

Hands-down, this is the best beach on the Nevada side of the lake.

[This was actually my second visit to Sand Harbor.

While driving the Owens Valley in March 2009, I was forced to take a major detour.

I naively thought the Tioga Pass into Yosemite would be open.

A ranger at Manzanar National Historic Site advised me otherwise.

I crossed the Sierras via Rt. 80, in a blizzard!]

Sand Harbor State Park has a long boardwalk with several interpretive plaques. This makes it easy to learn about the natural history of Lake Tahoe.



Lake Tahoe reflects the color of the sky. It's blueness depends on how clear or cloudy that day happens to be.

Sand Harbor has a cove.

And a broad beach, as well.

Large boulders tumble from the beach to the water.

Endless nooks and crannies beg exploration.

Memorial Point

I continued driving south on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe.

Hwy 28 hugs the shore. The mountains rise sharply.

Through the trees I could catch glimpses of Lake Tahoe shimmering in the afternoon sun.


I stopped at Memorial Point; one of only a few areas with shore access along Hwy 28.



Kiosks helped situate my position. And provided historical information on Lake Tahoe.



I walked a short trail down to the shore.



Lake Tahoe is known for it's lack of turbidity.


The water is exceptionally clear.



Native Americans have been coming to Tahoe's shores for generations.


I found countless grinding holes used for preparing acorn meal.

Incline Village, NV

After the sunset hike around Spooner Lake I returned to the Mystery Machine.

I left Spooner Summit and Lake Tahoe-Nevada State Park.

My destination was Incline Village, Nevada. Google Maps promised there would be a Subway...


I was disappointed to find the Subway vacant. So I had a burger and a beer at nearby Crosby's.


A local shared their ski cabin for an evening:


Complete with WiFi and fireplace. It's a treat to be able to leave my computer uploading Youtube videos all night.





View of Lake Tahoe:









Sunset over Lake Tahoe:

Spooner Lake (6)

The sun was setting on Spooner Lake and Lake Tahoe-Nevada State Park.

I wanted to be in back at Lake Tahoe before the storm hit.

I walked along the lake and stopped at a several more kiosks:







Through another grove of birch trees:



And back to the Mystery Machine:

Spooner Lake (5)

I walked around to the backside of Spooner Lake.

A kiosk explained how water flowed from the lake to the Nevada silver mines.


The old flume is still clearly visible:



Further down are grinding rocks of the Washishiw People:


Generations of semi-nomadic Native Americans wore holes in these rocks grinding their acorn meal.




A kiosk explains the ways of the Washo People.

Spooner Lake (4)

The Spooner Lake loop trail veered toward shore.

I saw a large flock of geese.

I thought I'd say hello...



My attempt to commune with the geese was not well received:



They waddled into frozen Spooner Lake. I almost followed:



I walked along the water's edge. I came upon a muddy field and debated whether to cross:

Spooner Lake (3)

Spooner Lake is part of Lake Tahoe-Nevada State Park. Kiosks on the Spooner Lake loop trail explain the nature and history of the Tahoe Basin.



The Spooner Lake loop trail entered another eerie wood:


The setting sun glowed through the trees:




The wind rustled through second growth forest. A historical kiosk explained that the Tahoe Basin was denuded by the timber industry in the 1860s & 1870s.