A few weeks ago I attended a family function in the Carson City Nevada area. As luck would have it, there was one day where I had a “free” afternoon with no obligations or commitments. My brother told me “You should seize this opportunity and drive to Lake Tahoe”. I listened to my brother, for over the years he has given me lots of good advice and suggestions. A short drive later (about 40 minutes) I arrived at Logan Shoals Vista Point, located on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe.
Lake Tahoe is a large freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada of the United States. Lying at 6,225 ft (1,897 m), it straddles the border between California and Nevada, west of Carson City. Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America, and at 122,160,280 acre·ft (150,682,490 dam3) trails only the five Great Lakes as the largest by volume in the United States. Its depth is 1,645 ft (501 m), making it the second deepest lake in the United States after Crater Lake in Oregon (1,945 ft (593 m)). Lake Tahoe was formed about 2 million years ago as part of the Lake Tahoe Basin, with the modern extent being shaped during the ice ages. It is known for the clarity of its water and the panorama of surrounding mountains on all sides. The area surrounding the lake is also referred to as Lake Tahoe, or simply Tahoe. More than 75% of the lake’s watershed is national forest land, comprising the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit of the United States Forest Service. The following photos are of the panoramic view from Logan Shoals Vista Point:
There is no parking lot at the Logan Shoals Vista Point, only a wide shoulder for cars to pull off on, so be careful when opening your vehicle doors as traffic moves by at a high rate of speed on a winding highway. The walk from the highway to the lookout is a relatively easy one taking you through this beautiful forest:
For the best views of the lake you will need to climb some rocks…nothing too difficult, but you will need to watch your step.
I now understand why Lake Tahoe is a major tourist attraction in both Nevada and California. It is home to a variety of winter sports (snow and ski resorts are a significant part of the area’s economy and reputation), summer outdoor recreation, and breathtaking scenery which can be enjoyed throughout the year. It also provides a nice change of scenery from the desert landscape around Carson City and offers a reprieve from the very hot desert temperatures. The Nevada side of the lake also offers large casinos with highways providing year-round access to the entire area.
I’d like to conclude this POD by thanking my brother, for once again he offered up another great suggestion and good piece of advice. Thanks Bro!
