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Freefalling: a guide to Lake Tahoe's water falls |
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Written by Tahoe World staff
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Friday, 29 June 2007 |
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When the snow melts in Tahoe, the area transforms into a waterfall wonderland with eight scenic falls. The waterfalls around the Lake range from 20 feet to 500 feet and all make for a relaxing and refreshing day trip.
Lower Eagle Falls (170 ft.) can be seen from the road at the Emerald Bay Vikingsholm parking area just 8.5 miles north along Highway 89 from the junction with Highway 50. Park at Emerald Bay/Vikingsholm State Park. The impressive waterfall drops in two large cascades. For the best view, visitors can take a moderate one-mile hike down to the bottom of the lower falls from the trailhead.
Upper Eagle Falls (40 ft.) is a short hike up from the roadside at the Eagle Falls picnic area. 8.5 miles north along Highway 89 from the junction with Highway 50, park at Emerald Bay/Vikingsholm State Park. Cross the road and you'll be right on top of Lower Eagle Falls.
Take the trail heading to the top of powerful Cascade Falls (200 ft.) where you can look down and watch the waterfall pour into Cascade Lake with views of both Cascade Lake and Lake Tahoe. The trailhead is at the far end of the Bay view campground on the way to Emerald Bay along Highway 89.
Horsetail Falls (500 ft.) is one of the most striking waterfalls in the Tahoe area. The trailhead begins at the parking lot at Twin Bridges on Highway 50, two miles east of Strawberry. Follow the signs to the wilderness boundary (not the Pyramid Creek loop trail). At the boundary, you will need to fill out a permit to continue up to the waterfall. Although only a 1-mile hike, it takes about an hour and is a challenging hike not recommended for families with small children.
Lower Glen Alpine Creek Waterfall (75 ft.), also known as Big Falls or Fallen Leaf Falls, is easily accessible to visitors from roadside. Take Highway 89 toward Emerald Bay about three miles to Fallen Leaf Lake Road on the left. Drive 4.8 miles on Fallen Leaf Lake Road to Road 1216 and turn left, marked for Glen Alpine Falls and Desolation Wilderness. The lower falls is along the roadside on the right.
Another waterfall on the must-see list is Bridal Veil Falls (150 ft), which sits along Esmeralda Creek on Highway 50, 42 miles west of Lake Tahoe. The waterfall is located along the road in a large signed pullout area making it an easy stop.
Upper Truckee Falls (20 ft.) is located along the Upper Truckee River. Start off hiking on the historic Hawley Grade National Recreation Trail in Meyers. After a very short distance, the main trail turns uphill to the right but take the spur trail on the left, which leads to the Upper Truckee River and the waterfall. In early spring, hikers can catch another seasonal waterfall along this trail by continuing on the Hawley Grade Trail about 0.5 miles from the bottom. From the Highway 50/Highway 89 junction in Meyers, drive south on Highway 50 for 0.4 miles to South Upper Truckee Road. Turn left and drive 3.7 miles to the turnoff for the Hawley Grade National Recreation Trail. Turn right and drive 0.3 miles to the end of the road, and find a place to park along the road.
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