Lake Tahoe

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Lake Tahoe
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Along the border between California and Nevada is Lake Tahoe. The Lake is known for the clarity of its water and the beautiful panorama of the natural setting in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Lake Tahoe or just Tahoe is the name given to the area surrounding the lake. Ski resorts, summer outdoor recreation areas and other tourist attractions make this a wonderful destination for family vacations.

The predominate cities on the lake are South Lake Tahoe, California, which adjoins Stateline, Nevada is on one shore and Tahoe City California is on the northwest shore. The highways run within sight of the lake shore and important parts of the shoreline now lie within state parks or are protected by the United States Forest Service.

The Tahoe Basin was formed by shifting of blocks of land. Dropped down block created the basin for the lake which is the second deepest in the United States.

Eruptions from the extinct volcano Mount Pluto formed a dam on the north side and then melting snow filled the basin to form the lake. Modern Lake Tahoe was shaped by the glaciers in Ice Ages.

An annual precipitation ranges from 55 inches to 26 at the top or bottom shore of the lake. The snow that falls between November and April accounts for a majority of the falling precipitation. Some flooding can result from heavy rainfall.

The lake is surrounded by conifer forest. Jeffrey pine, lodgepole pine, white fir and red fir are dominant. Wet meadows, waterways, dry meadows and rock outcrops create a varied natural scene with something to appeal to nearly every taste.

This area was the center of the Washoe Indian territory. Lt John Fremont and Kit Carson came first to the area. Fremont’s’ first job in California was carrying the mail on snowshoes. When California became a state the Lake was partitioned between California and Nevada with the state line running through the middle.

In 1848 gold was discovered and thousands of gold seekers moving west passed through the area. In 1858 the Comstock Lode silver strike increased the wealth seeking traffic and logging supplied large timbers to shore up the tunnels in the Comstock mine. Nearly all of the native forest was destroyed.

In 1912, 19 13, and 1918 congressmen tried to designate the basin as a national park but failed. Development around the lake consisted of a few vacation homes in the early 20th century. The area was discovered during the post World War II building boom and the beginning of gambling in Nevada. There was a frenzy of highway construction to supply the 1960 Squaw Valley Olympics. This expansion continued until strict land use rules were put in place in the 1980’s.

Land use planning and export of treated sewage effluent has not saved the lake from damage. It is estimated that clarity is decreasing at an average of .25 meters per year. Fine sediment resulting from land disturbance accounts for about half of the loss of clarity.

Lake Tahoe never freezes. Analysis of the temperature record in Lake Tahoe shows a gradual warming reducing the frequency of deep mixing in the lake and may create problems in the years to come. There have also been major changes in the Lake’s food web and zooplankton populations.

In 2007 the Angora Fire burned approximately 3100 acres throughout the South Lake Tahoe area. The impact of ask on the lake’s ecosystem is predicted to be minimal but the impact of future erosion is not known.

Much of the area is devoted to tourism. Restaurants, ski slopes and casinos beckon to travelers.

Thousands of people from all over Nevada and California come to the slopes for some of the best skiing in the world. Heavenly Mountain Resort, Squaw Valley, Alpine Meadows, Diamond Peak, Northstar at Tahoe, Kirkwood Mountain Resort, Sierra-at-Tahoe, Sugar Bowl Ski Resort, Donner Ski Ranch, Homewood Skit Resort, and Mount Rose Ski Resort are some of the major draws for skiers. Public and private sled parks, equipped with rope tows to help sledders get up the hill attract the non ski crowd. There is also Snow Tubing, Cross Country Skiing, Snowboarding, Snowmobile riding and Snowshoeing.

From Late Spring to early Fall, however, the lake is popular for water sports and beach activities. Boating is the primary activity in the summer and is known all over the world. Docks and buoys and lakeside restaurants dot the shoreline. Sailboat racing, fireworks shows, guided cruises draw large numbers so large that Lake Tahoe has its own Coast Guard.

Gambling is legal on the Nevada side and Stateline is home to 6 major casinos.

Tahoe residents are very much tuned in to the history of the area. If you want to really see Lake Tahoe, try to see it through the eyes of a native. Although the area is dependant on tourism the approach to tourists is casual and friendly. Also you will be able to find experts at any activity you want to enjoy. Many locals and business owners have been there and have been skiing or fishing or whatever sports you have in mind since they were children.

Local residents take great pride in the area and see themselves as guardians of the natural wonders. They have confident knowledge of the heritage and history and are happy to share it with visitors.

In addition to outdoor activities there are museums and cultural centers to preserve and display evidence of the past.

The Washoe Indian Cultural Foundation Exhibit is located in the Baldwin Museum at the Tallac Historic site. The display includes housing, artifacts, pictures and a slide show. The Gatekeeper’s Log Cabin hosts a collection of early memorabilia including hand woven Indian baskets. The Lake Tahoe Historical Society Museum houses historical photos, pioneer artifacts and Indian relics.

Genoa is the oldest settlement in Nevada. The brick courthouse built in 1865; Nevada’s first fort and the state’s oldest bar are just a 15 minute drive from Carson City. Vikingsholm Castle is a 9th century inspired Viking fort located on Emerald Bay.

Virginia City is a Ghost Town knows for gold a silver mining from 1857 to 1877. The Delta, Silver Queen, and Bucket of Blood saloons, the Chollar Mine, Mark Twain Museum, and the Piper Opera House attract historians and Wild West enthusiasts.

Watson Cabin is a living museum depicting life at Tahoe at the turn of the century. Tours guides are dressed in period costumes.

The best opportunity for photographers is at the Scenic Highway 431 Overlook. This pull-out on the Mt Rose Highway provides panoramic views of Lake Tahoe and prominent peaks.

A costumed dinosaur makes an appearance at Tahoe Tessie’s Lake Tahoe Monster Museum. This features interesting exhibits, toys and a gift shop.

Historic Downtown Truckee has storefront facades and covered wooden walkways with many original Truckee buildings providing historic atmosphere for shops, bars and restaurants.

Donner memorial State Park and Emigrant Trail l Museum features a slide show of the 1846 ordeal of the Donner party.

There is a national automobile museum with antique, vintage and classic automobiles, and the Wilbur May Museum and Arboretum with big game trophy heads, art objects and curios. There is also a simulated Amazon Rain forest Exhibit. The Arboretum features Northern Nevada vegetation.
Wild Island is the region’s newest theme park. Waterslides, giant wave pool for every one and there is Adventure Gold. This has 36 holes of themed miniature golf and a Formula K Raceway.

The Stewart Indian Museum is on the grounds of a non reservation boarding school for Indians. Rare photos and memorabilia join artwork, jewelry and a trading post for an authentic look at life for Native Americans

The Rare Gold Collection displays natural gold formations, including leaf, wire, ribbon, and thread gold.

Camping, hiking, horseback riding appeal to singles couples and whole families. Add to all of that some of the most fantastic “rustic” and luxury lodging in the West. The Lake Tahoe area is a true vacation dream.

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