Lake Tahoe Circle Tour Part 1; CA 89, former CA 188 to Fallen Leaf Lake, Emerald Bay State Park, and the mouth of the Truckee River
Upon my arrival to Lake Tahoe during the Fall Season it was my intention to drive the entire perimeter. Given that my starting point in South Tahoe the obvious route was through California State Route 89 to get in an early hike at Emerald Bay State Park. Along the way I made a detour on the former alignment of CA 188 to Fallen Leaf Lake. The morning started out on US Route 50 west with a quick turn on CA 89 north in South Lake Tahoe. CA 89 follows Emerald Bay Road for approximately 27 on the south and west shore of Lake Tahoe to CA 28 in Tahoe City. CA 89 is by far the most rugged of all the highways traversing the shores of Lake Tahoe with high grades and steep drop offs. Leaving South Lake Tahoe the route of CA 89 northbound quickly enters El Dorado National Forest. CA 89 northbound is quickly advised that bears may be present and enters Camp Richardson. CA 89 is subject periodic winter closures given the west shore of Lake Tahoe is su...