Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is a vast, deep alpine lake straddling California and Nevada high in the Sierra Nevada, ringed by mountains and famous for water so clear it glows turquoise over the shallows. In summer it is a playground of beaches, boating and hiking; in winter its slopes hold some of the best skiing in the country.

Background

The English name comes from the Washo name for the lake, Dáʔaw. The lake lies at 6,225 ft, no alpine lake in North America is larger, and its depth of 1,645 ft is exceeded in the United States only by Crater Lake in Oregon. The basin formed about two million years ago, and the ice ages shaped the present extent of the lake. It measures about 22 miles by 12 miles, with a surface area of 191 square miles and 72 miles of shoreline, approximately two-thirds of it in California. It is fed by 63 tributaries, and water stays in it for some 650 years. At the widest point the far shore sits below the horizon by nearly 100 feet.

Source: Wikipedia, "Lake Tahoe"

Highlights

• Emerald Bay - the turquoise bay with its tiny island, the classic Tahoe view.
• The beaches - Sand Harbor and others for swimming in the clear water.
• The rim trails - the hikes and the Tahoe Rim Trail around the lake.
• Winter skiing - the resorts around the lake, including Palisades and Heavenly.

When to go

Summer for the beaches, clear water and hiking; winter for skiing and snow. Spring and autumn are quieter shoulder seasons. Each side of the lake and season has its own character.

Practical notes

It is very popular, so summer weekends and the ski season bring heavy traffic, crowds and pricey lodging around the lake. The water stays cold even in summer, refreshing rather than warm. The south shore is more built up; the east and west are quieter.

Nearby

Reno is close on the Nevada side; Yosemite and the eastern Sierra lie to the south.

Key facts