Adventures in Nature

Some of our favorite hikes and destinations:

Eagle Lake/Eagle Falls

One of the shortest and most spectacular hikes in the Sierras.  Not only is the scenery breathtaking, but the trailhead also starts directly across from the Emerald Bay lookout. You get two trips-in-one! Park your car in the lot or off Highway 50 and explore the Emerald Bay side of the road. This is a great chance to take some world-class photographs and do some rock-hopping. When you're finished, cross the highway and make your way to the Eagle Falls/Eagle Lake Trailhead, where you will need to register for a day-use permit, then start a roughly 1/3 mile hike to the Eagle Falls or a 2-mile hike to Eagle Lake.  Bring water as the hike is rated “moderate to difficult” and it’s very dry in the summer months.  You can keep hiking once you reach Eagle Lake as the Eagle Lake trail leads into the heart of Desolation Wilderness.

Fallen Leaf Lake / Fallen Leaf Falls

Fallen Leaf Lake was created by glaciers flowing down the Glen Alpine Valley. Evidence of its glacial past exists in the northern end of the lake where visitors can view a terminal moraine. The lake is located one mile south of Lake Tahoe. Fallen Leaf Lake has a marina and is known for water activities including skiing, sail boating, kayaking, wake boarding, and fishing.

Be sure to visit spectacular Fallen Leaf Falls, located just minutes uphill from the Fallen Leaf marina. Kids love to climb on the rocks and it is a breathtaking photographic opportunity. 

Woods Lake

The fishing is good but the scenery is better with a spectacular waterfall on one end of the lake and amazing hikes all around. Snow can remain in large drifts on the mountains and near the lake as late as July.  Motorized boats are not allowed, so be sure to bring your inflatable rafts and plenty of mosquito repellant.

Blue Lakes(Upper and Lower)

These are high-country lakes at an altitude of 7000 feet, in the upper headwaters of the North Fork Mokelumne River. Wonderful hiking trails abound around the lake where bald eagles soar and fishing is just great. Either bring a boat or fish from the dam. This place is incredibly peaceful, and the scenery on the drive up is spectacular.

Taylor Creek Visitor Center and Stream Profile Chamber

This is an area offering numerous self-guided trails with amazing views.  An underground “Stream Profile Chamber” features a cut-away view of the stream so visitors can see fish behind the glass.  Walk the 1/2 mile loop on the fully accessible Rainbow Trail to see the chamber. The trail meanders along Taylor Creek and, in the Fall, you can witness the spawning of the Kokanee Salmon as they swim upstream from Lake Tahoe.  If you’re lucky, you might even get to see some of the local Black Bear as they feast on the spawning salmon.