Indian Grinding Rock SHP

I left Black Chasm.

I continued south on Hwy 88.

Next stop:
Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park.


The Native American roundhouse is a visitor center and museum.



The tribe in this area is known as the Miwok.


The exhibit diligently traces Miwok history during the period of white settlement.



The Miwok built shelters and granaries out of branches and bark.



The discovery of Yosemite by white settlers was disastrous for the Miwok.



Another element to the park are Native American petroglyphs.



A short stroll outside reveals a Miwok Village.



And, the actual grinding rock.

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.

Spooner Lake (2)

I think Spooner Lake deserves more posts.

While on the loop trail, I took beautiful pictures and videos.

It's spectacular country. The Tahoe Rim Trail passes through this area of Lake Tahoe-Nevada State Park.

The Spooner Lake trail passes through groves of white birch trees:


Before revealing a first glimpse of Spooner Lake:

The bank was muddy:



Chasing geese:


I almost lost my sneakers:



I continued down the trail:



Great colors:


Great light:

Spooner Lake (1)

Spooner Lake is part of the Marlette Lake Water System.

This system of lakes, flumes, and pipelines was created during the Nevada mining boom of the 1860s.

This National Civil Engineering Landmark supplied water and lumber to the silver mines in Virgina City and Gold Hill.



Today Spooner Lake is part of Lake Tahoe-Nevada State Park. This area of the park is popular with mountain bikers and hikers.



From the parking lot at Spooner Summit it's a short walk to Spooner Lake.



I followed a loop trail for a few miles around the lake.


There are many beautiful vantage points around Spooner Lake. I could hear the cars zooming by on US 50, but looking at the lake I felt the call of the wild.

Spooner Summit

I left Carson City on US 50 west.

US 50 connects the state capitol with the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe.

The highway climbs the Carson Range to Spooner Summit.


US 50 was one of the steepest grades of my journey. Maybe it was a lack of momentum from the stop light in Carson City...



I stopped at the summit parking lot; an entry point to Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park.