Have you been to Lake Tahoe?
It sits on the border of Nevada and California in the Sierra Nevada mountain range. It is a high altitude lake. The elevation of the lake is 6,229 ft above sea level. Even in the summer time swimming in the lake is cool.
Although, in the summer, you can swim in the shallow waters closer to the shore and the water isn’t too cold. But if you go out in to the middle of the lake or if you swim more than 10 feet down, the water gets very cold.
Also, in the winter, the lake doesn’t freeze over. Even in the coldest months. Now, the edges of the lake will freeze when it gets very cold for a sustained period of time, but the whole lake will not freeze over. There is just too much volume of water for the entire surface of the lake to freeze over.
Lake Tahoe is crazy deep. I think it’s the second deepest lake in the USA. It goes down to 1,600 feet deep. That is nuts. The deepest lake in the USA is up in Oregon. That’s Crate Lake and I think it goes down to something like 1,800 feet deep. It’s just hard to image lakes being that deep, but… nature.
If you tour Lake Tahoe, I recommend sticking to the outdoor activites. Lake Tahoe is famous for gambling. There are many casinos on the Nevada side of the lake. But, you can gamble anywhere. Why waste your time with that? You’re in Tahoe, take advantage of it!
If you are there in the winter, then I recommend you go snow skiing. The skiing in Tahoe is epic. There are so many different world class ski resorts to choose from. Just pick one. You can’t go wrong. The only thing you might have to worry about is the crowds. The skiing is very popular.
No matter what time of year you find yourself sightseeing in Lake Tahoe, you need to go to Emerald Bay. Emerald Bay is located on the west, southwest shore on the California side of Lake Tahoe. Emerald Bay is surrounded by huge mountains that tower over the water of 2,000 feet and contains the only island on Lake Tahoe.
Emerald Bay is also one of the most photographed places in the world, so bring your camera. The Bay is one of those places you have to experience. Don’t be one of those people that go to Tahoe and don’t go to Emerald Bay. It’s just that gorgeous. Emerald Bay is one of those places that lives up to the hype, like Hawaii.
Yes Emerald Bay get’s overrun with tourists and crowds, but you need to experience it’s beauty, at least once. You’ll be glad you did!