A Walk to Paradise...

Sunrise at Eagle Falls

Nestled in the lush Tahoe National Forest, near the base of the majestic Lake Tahoe, is an equally impressive area called Eagle Falls. It's an easy find right off California State Route 89, which is a scenic drive in itself. This area is compromised of the upper and lower waterfalls, trailheads that lead to naturally-formed lakes, and thousands of acres for backpackers to explore. It encompasses all that I look for in the ideal nature outing - stunning beauty, flowing waters, serenity, and little or no cost to experience it all.

Eagle Falls is technically free. The only expense for a day trip is the gas to get there and an optional parking fee (if you can't find a spot off the highway). Overnight wilderness permit fees (if you're into backpacking) are $5 per person for the first night and $10 per person for two or more nights up to 14 days. Children 12 and under are free. Parking in the lot is $6 per car, but with limited spaces most people just try to find a spot on either side of the highway. That's precisely what I did and I didn't have to wait very long for someone to pull out of a space. I think most tourists don't partake in all the area has to offer so they don't park for very long. They stop at the scenic view point, snap a few photos and move on with their drive around the lake. This is truly their loss, for there is a world of beauty to be discovered when you venture off the beaten track...

When I first walked up to Eagle Falls, I experienced a bit of sensory overload. My eyes followed the breathtaking panoramic landscape where snow-capped mountains and pinetrees met the sparkling lake water. I took in a deep breath of crisp, fresh pine air and felt my lungs swell with pleasure. The waterfalls roared into my ears and a  fine mist of water sprayed my sun-soaked face. It was refreshing, invigorating, and exciting all at the same time.

I couldn't wait to entice more of my senses as I made my way to the trailhead and read this sign (pictured right). I suddenly felt like a kid again - off on an adventure into the unknown (although at that age it required a lot more imagination!). There's something so appealing about the word "desolation wilderness". Finally, a place that feels miles away from the every day obligations! Over 60,000 BEAUTIFUL acres of alpine forests, granite peaks, and glacially-formed valleys and lakes. That's a lot to explore and experience, which is what makes this area so inviting.

Granite Cliffs

My 65-year-old mother resting before the next climb.
Yes, if she can do it ANYONE can! 

The loop to Eagle Lake is not too far - about 2 miles round-trip from Eagle Falls. Overall it's an easy hike, but there are a few steep climbs that can be unforgiving so make sure to rest often! I went with my mother and sister and our thighs were burning after the first ascent! It's hard to tell how far you've gone and how much further is left to go when you're climbing uphill.

The trail runs parallel to the flowing water of the falls, and traces back to the source of the falls, which is Eagle Lake. It begins with the deafening sound of rushing water at the upper falls, to a quiet trickle as you near the lake. The sound is not the only cool feature of following the water trail. When those muscles start burning and your body starts heating up, you're only a few steps away from refreshment. The water is ICE cold as it is quite literally melted glacier. Whether you want a cool splash on your face or gulp of water at its tastiest (better than anything bottled water has to offer!!), the fresh water is a welcome companion throughout the journey.

View of Lake Tahoe from mid-hike.

There were so many sites to take in during the hike. When the trail leveled off a bit, a gorgeous view of Lake Tahoe emerged. It was almost too perfect to believe - as if someone painted it before my eyes. The blues, greens, browns, and grays of the landscape seem to all harmonize in surreal beauty.

One of the many moss-covered trees on the trailhead.

Everything around me just oozed beauty - even a tree that was covered in moss. I really felt an appreciation for all of it -  I'm not sure why. Maybe because it was so far from what I saw in my day-to-day life of staring at a computer screen or maybe it stemmed from the exciting feeling of experiencing something new and wanting to soak it all in like a sponge. I didn't even mind when I ran my fingers along the rough bark of a tree and it left a deposit of sap on my fingers. I carelessly wiped it across my denim jeans (as is proper outdoor etiquette!) and pushed on in anticipation of what I'd see next.

Just over one more hump, and the trail unveils its most naturally-preserved beauty: Eagle Lake. There is no access to this lake other than the mile hike in, which can only be traversed on foot. This means there are no pollutants in the water - no boats, no oil, no dumping of any sort. It's pure and beautiful as nature intended.

At Last! Eagle Lake

My sister and I enjoying our spoils!

Once we arrived, we picked out a nice spot to break out the goodies! I packed sandwiches, chips, and fruit. There's something so rewarding about eating after burning some calories. I savored the salty-goodness of my Tostitos chips and the juicy tartness of my granny smith apple.

A blue jay singing on its perch.

As if the day couldn't get any better, I found a secluded rock to sit down on to smoke my pipe tobacco. Little cherry-flavored puffs of smoke drifted into the air, disappearing just as quickly as they surfaced. In the tree above me, perched a blue jay singing his song. I stared off at the granite cliffs, taking in every jagged ridge, and soon reached a point of relaxation where time and the responsibilities of the modern world no longer existed. No appointments to attend, no chores to be done, no deadlines, no phones/emails to be answered, no social obligations. Just me and nature fused as one. Absolute serenity.

"Walk away quietly in any direction and taste the freedom of the mountaineer. Camp out among the grass and the gentians of glacier meadows, in craggy garden nooks."
- John Muir

References

Desolation Wilderness. United States Department of Agriculture Forest Services.  Retrieved September
          16, 2012, from http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/ltbmu/recreation/?cid=stelprdb5157481

Eagle Falls Trail.  Truckee-Travel-Guide.com  Retrieved September 15, 2012, from
http://www.truckee-travel-guide.com/eagle-falls-trail.html

Emerald Bay Day Hikes. Tahoe Backcountry. Retrieved September 17, 2012 from
http://www.tahoebackcountry.net/hiking/desolation/emerald_hikes.htm

Turnbill, Leon.  (2012). Lower Eagle Falls.  Leon Turnbill Photography. Retrieved September 16, 2012,
from http://www.waterfallswest.com/waterfall.php?id=221