Tahoe for the 4th

**MacMillans son** · 6th July 11, 08:03 PM

Connie and I decided to get above the valley heat (103 F degrees) this past weekend and spend some time in the Lake Tahoe area. Oddly enough, two of the large local ski areas were open for business!!

We started Sunday at Squaw Valley resort, home of the 1960 Winter Olympics.

We enjoyed lunch in the village there, and attended a small arts and crafts fair, that I failed to get pictures of

Next we went into Tahoe City and walked around the small dam at the end of Lake Tahoe. This is a favorite spot for viewing some of the large fish that inhabit the waters of the lake.

I believe these are Kokanee Salmon that are known to bend a few rods here each year!

Here is one of Connie "The fish wrangler"

More to Come!!

**MacMillans son** · 6th July 11, 08:08 PM

Monday began with us heading to the Alpine Ridge area for a 5 mile round trip hike into the 5 Lakes area. This area is a popular hike due to it's moderate slope (1000 ft elevation in 2-1/2 miles) and easy access to the trail head.

This sign is posted enroute to protect water quality.

The area is quite beautiful, and due to the late Winter, trails were a mix of snow and dirt.

Lots of beautiful Alpine mountain scenery

More to come!

**MacMillans son** · 6th July 11, 08:19 PM

Lots of small streams and little falls like this running from beneath the snow

We reached two of the lakes (ponds really) to find them both mostly frozen and snowed over. The turquoise colored area is where the water should be

The second lake was our eventual destination and had just the very edges thawed, but was quite lovely

More to come!

**Chirs** · 6th July 11, 08:22 PM

103F in the valley and snow in the hills! Wow! (but seriously, 103F?! What is that? How do people live in these temperatures?)

The pictures are beautiful. Looking forward to the rest.

**MacMillans son** · 6th July 11, 08:27 PM

We had a light lunch that included some Dubliner Cheese for my Irish hiking partner!

She was so excited she struck a pose

She is quite the fitness inspiration for me, use it or loose it!

And then we headed out!

I nearly forgot!! We finished up Monday night at an overlook above Donner Lake (named after the famous traveling party who met an unfortunate end that included cannibalism near here)

The old Highway 40 bridge

Sun going....down....

And finally some of these (good show, poor photo!)

Ok, now that's really it this time !

Cheers!

**R.S.L. Kiltwearer** · 6th July 11, 08:55 PM

Looks like it was a great time, what is the elevation of the ponds still froze over ?
and as for the skiing still going. here in Utah we're in the same boat, with i think two resorts still open. i have been here 30 years and can not remember them being open this late ever

**MacMillans son** · 6th July 11, 09:05 PM

It's crazy isn't it RSL ? I cant remember it here at all.

I believe the elevation is around 7500 ft. I'll have to check my hiking guide to be sure though.

It was a great weekend!

**R.S.L. Kiltwearer** · 6th July 11, 09:25 PM

Originally Posted by MacMillan's son

I believe the elevation is around 7500 ft. I'll have to check my hiking guide to be sure though.

wow that's a bit disheartening

there are a few lakes here in the Uinta Mountains
that i trout fish on, (nice two to tree mile hikes to get to them) that are at anywhere, from 9000 to the high 10,000 almost 11,000 foot range, and i can normally start fishing them the second weekend of June. haven't had a chance to even try and head up there this year though. Last year i was not able to fish the lakes till late July, do to still having snow and ice on them.