There is beauty in this world, and then there is breathtaking beauty. Many people have experienced many places that qualify in the latter description, even myself. Few, however, in my opinion, can compare with the stunning landscapes I saw in Lake Tahoe.
Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe, California
Fannette Island, Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe, California
View North from Logan Shoals Vista Point, Nevada
View Towards Lake Tahoe’s Western Shore, Logan Shoals Vista Point, Nevada
Lake Tahoe, one of the deepest lakes in North America, is located high in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, straddling the California/Nevada state line. Practically the entire area is a paradise for landscape photographers like me! I had the opportunity to go there the week after the Labor Day holiday. The pristine blue of the water is a sight to behold. Clear blue skies offer a magnificent backdrop for towering gray granite peaks and soaring green ponderosa pines. Beaches ringed by majestic mountains are dotted with the bright colors of beach umbrellas and kayaks for rent. It’s hard to put down your camera with all this visual stimuli around.
Along the Vikingsholm Trail, California
View of Fannette Island, Emerald Bay, from the Vikingsholm Beach
Baldwin Beach, Lake Tahoe, California
Baldwin Beach Kayaks, Lake Tahoe, California
Nevada Beach, Lake Tahoe, Nevada
After nearly a full week of clear skies, the rain came; with that rain came the most dramatic skies of my short visit to Lake Tahoe. I was fortunate enough to capture a few of those cloud formations.
Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe, California
Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe, California
Emerald Bay with Rock, Lake Tahoe, California
Approaching Storm, Elk Point, Lake Tahoe, Nevada
Elk Point, Lake Tahoe, Nevada
Elk Point, Lake Tahoe, Nevada
My only regret was that I was there too late in the year to capture the waterfalls in the area. The only one whose feed hadn’t dried up – Horsetail Falls, a tall waterfall about 20 miles south of Lake Tahoe near Highway 50 – was 1 1/2 miles up the Pyramid Creek Trail. This city boy lost that trail less than a half mile in. When you lose a trail and know you have to cross into an area known as Desolation Wilderness, you turn around! I’ll try it again the next time I’m in Lake Tahoe, perhaps in the spring when all the waterfalls are flowing.
My camera and I cannot wait! Stay tuned for my next Lake Tahoe installment.
You can see my full portfolio of Lake Tahoe images at http://www.jimwatkinsphoto.com/Lake-Tahoe-California-Nevada/
Jim Watkins Photography 