Lake Tahoe

The Lake Tahoe Basin was formed by a geologic block faulting about 2 million years ago. Eruptions from the extinct volcano Mount Pluto formed a dam on the north side. Melting snow filled the southern and lowest part of the basin to form the ancestral Lake Tahoe. Rain and runoff added additional water.

Modern Lake Tahoe was shaped and landscaped by scouring glaciers during the Ice Ages, which began a million or more years ago. Many streams flow into Lake Tahoe, but the lake is drained only by the Truckee River, which flows northeast through Reno, Nevada and into Pyramid Lake, Nevada which has no outlet.

Much of the area surrounding Lake Tahoe is devoted to the tourism industry and there are many restaurants, ski slopes and casinos catering to visitors.

A drive around the lake, with pine-studded mountains on one side and water on the other, reveals it more fully. Under a blue handkerchief sky, the lake's color changes all day, flaunting infinite shades of blue. In many places, the mountains plunge steeply into the water, with no beach or shore. In others, a trail to the lake's edge leads to rocks in crystal water and aquamarine coves. In a few spots, the lake has created its own sandy beaches, popular with swimmers and families. In the distance a red-yellow-green parasail floats like a colorful dandelion seed over the lake's surface.

On a boat trip, surrounded by the lake's color, its clarity becomes more apparent. In fact, it's so clear that you can see a dinner plate 75 feet below its surface. Cruising around Fanette Island in Emerald Bay, where Lora Knight once served afternoon tea in the now-deserted tea house, the water changes from sapphire to emerald. Above, jet trails crisscross the sky. On the south shore, casinos spring up, marking the California-Nevada state line.

To visit my pictures of this wonderful trip click here or on the picture above.