Goodbye to Emerald Bay for the summer

 

Here we are in front of the sign at the entrance to our campground.

Notice that all the important rules are right there, succinctly written, but too many people don't read.

Waning Crescent moon 37 minutes before sunrise, August 24, 2022

24 minutes before sunrise, August 24, 2022

Looking north 23 minutes before sunrise.

Official sunrise, 6:23 AM, Wednesday, August 24, 2022.

    But the sun has not appeared over the mountains yet, just the evidence of the sunrise is apparent in the glowing clouds and the tops of the high mountains to the west. I always love this time of "Official" sunrise in the mountains as the sun makes its presence known before I can actually see it.

9 minutes after sunrise on August 24, and the sun is fully up behind the mountains, 

though the clouds obscure it, making for a stunning view!

    I brought my sit on top kayak up to the late several weeks ago, but have only gone out on it twice until Wednesday afternoon, August 24. The wind was making the lake pretty choppy, but I went out and across the bay any way. If I stopped paddling while headed into the wind the kayak stopped immediately, but I made it across and around Fannette Island. At one point I noticed something white over my left shoulder. I thought it was a sailboat, but when I turned to look it was the M.S. Dixie looking like it was coming straight for me. I'm sure it wasn't, but I paddled as fast as I could toward the shore in front of Vikingsbholm, and then I managed to get a picture of it before I started paddling back toward the mouth of the bay where I'd launched the kayak, continuing to fight the wind even though it was pushing be now. My paddles seemed to be working like sails catching the wind and sometimes turning me in a direction I didn't want to go. I made it safely back to shore where Rob was waiting for me after having picked up trash on the beach.

Ready to launch in the choppy water.

The M.S. Dixie with Fannette Island behind it.

    

    Last summer I did a solo one night back pack trip and planned to do the same this year - maybe... The "maybe" is because I keep wondering if I'm getting too old to schlep a heavy pack on my back. In preparation for last year's trip I bought a new, light weight backpack that was smaller than the one I'd had for many years including using it on my Tahoe Rim Trail hike in 2016. I figured with a smaller pack I would be limited in how much I could put in the pack so I could keep the weight down a bit. I'm not into super light as I do like some comforts; like a tent and my new collapsible chair with a high back. This year I planned my trip to start at our campsite, walk down to the Rubicon Trailhead, then down the trail to Emerald Bay, then up the trail/road to Highway 89 and across the highway to the Eagle Falls Trail that would take me up to Eagle Lake where I have camped several times long years ago, and where I first met "My" Mountain. Eagle Lake is only one mile from the trailhead where Rob could have dropped me off and picked my up, but one mile isn't much of a backpack hike, and I thought it would be neat to just walk out the door of the motor home and keep walking - it was.

    I was very happy that after loading all my food and about 3 1/2 liters of water my pack weighed in at 35 pounds. I decided I wanted to leave first thing in the morning because I love the early morning light and fresh air, and I'm at my strongest first thing in the morning. I left our campsite at 6:30 AM on Thursday, August 25, headed down and up to Eagle Lake. I would meet Theresa at the trailhead to Eagle Lake about 8:00 AM and then she, her dogs and I I would hike together up to the beautiful Eagle Lake. It was truly a beautiful day for a hike and camping in the wilderness. Though only 1 mile from the highway, Eagle Lake is indeed in Desolation Wilderness, one of the most beautiful places in the world. The trail is very popular with day hikers, but not all that popular with backpackers since it's only a mile from the highway and camping is not allowed within 500 feet of the lake which was fine with me since I wanted a site with "My" Mountain as the main view - and I got it!

    Theresa and the dogs hung out with me for awhile and then I spent the afternoon writing in my journal, reading, swimming and just being - something good to do once in awhile. My tent was cozy and I was never cold, though I will admit, sleeping on a backpacking pad is not as comfortable as my bed. Will I do it again? Probably, though I know I am approaching my limits with some of the challenges of backpacking. Hopefully I'll know when I've reached those limits, but I'm not there yet.

Early morning light on "My" Mountain, Vikingsholm and Fannette Island from the Rubicon Trail.

August 25, 2022.

Me and Theresa with Eagle Lake behind.

Pippin and Spencer, our trail companions.

Theresa with tired dogs in front!

"My" Mountain and my tent.

Eagle Lake in the breezy afternoon after most of the day hikers have left.

A duck in the lake in the afternoon after most people have left. 

Finding shade near my campsite in the afternoon.

Shadows coming early as the sun goes behind the mountains.

Another view of the early evening sun disappearing with the lake below.

My campsite was out of direct sunlight from late afternoon until after I left it in the morning.

A panorama view of my tent with "My" Mountain to the left about 15 minutes before sunrise time.

Friday, August 26, 2022.

The rising sun shining on the top of "My" Mountain.

Eagle Lake as I said goodbye to it about 8:00 AM, August 26.

Emerald Bay and Lake Tahoe as seen from the trail down from Eagle Lake.

Me with Emerald Bay behind.

I still needed to walk down to the Bay and then back up to our campsite on the ridge behind the island.

A Grouse, I think, on the Rubicon Trail as I head towards Eagle Point Campground.

The puzzle Rob was working on when I got back to our campsite in the late morning.

Rob saved me a few pieces so I could finish the puzzle after I unpacked my gear.

I really enjoy jigsaw puzzles, and especially maps of places I know well.

Sunrise panorama from my Overlook spot, Saturday, August 27.

From left to right, south to east:

Mt. Tallac, Dick's Peak in background, South Maggie's Peak, North Maggie's Peak and slide on Highway 89 (behind tree trunk), The "V" above where Eagle Lake is, "My" Mountain, Jake's Peak, Emerald Point with Rubicon Point behind, the base of the dead trees at the Overlook, the sun coming over the mountains to the east, on the far right coastline is where the casinos are at stateline.

    Saturday, August 27, was probably the last day off Theresa and I will have together so we decided to go for a hike. We chose to explore the undeveloped Washoe Meadows State Park which is between South Lake Tahoe and Meyers. Rob joined us for the fairly level 5+ mile hike. Rob and I had previously ridden our bicycles next to the park, but had never ventured into the trails. The location was beautiful in a meadow that we want to return to early next season when the wildflowers are in bloom. From the meadow we could see many mountains including Mt. Tallac and Freel Peak. Dogs were allowed on the trail so there were five of us hiking: Theresa, Rob, me, Pippin and Spencer. Once again we were so thankful for the beautiful clear skies with no excessive heat. I can't believe I didn't take any pictures while we were out there.  While we were hiking in the relatively flat meadow our daughter Ruth and a friend were climbing up Mt. Tallac. She and her friend joined Rob and I for a board game before heading home to Colfax and Roseville.

A picture of Ruth on Mt. Tallac taken by her friend.

This is the young woman who was on crutches this time last year with an injury that threatened to side line her indefinitely from anything like hiking up mountains, but here she is at over 9,700 feet after hiking up 3,274 feet in a lot less time than it took me last week!

"My" Mountain as seen from close to our campsite, Monday morning, August 29.

I didn't get up early enough to walk to the Overlook, so I settled for sitting near by with this view.

I saw different critters than I see on the Overlook.

A squirrel on a branch with a shed behind.

This squirrel spent quite a bit of time chattering, perhaps scolding me for being in its territory.

The first rabbit I've ever seen here - near where I was sitting Monday morning.

Sunset clouds over "My" Mountain as seen from our campsite.

Monday, August 29, 2022

The sun coming up on August 30, as seen from the Overlook.

The moon after sunset over Emerald Bay, August 30, 2022.

View looking north from the Overlook at Eagle Point after sunset on August 30.

The orange "clouds" in the sky are most likely smoke from wildfires in Oregon.

Early morning at sunrise time on the beach at Eagle Point Campground, August 31.

    I'd wondered if smoke would linger in the basin on the morning of August 31, when I planned to go for an early morning kayak paddle, but gratefully the sky was clear and air quality was good. This was the first early morning kayaking I had done since bringing the kayak to Tahoe about a month ago. It was glorious to paddle on the smooth lake before the boats and wind would stir it up. This would be the last day I would have the kayak before taking it and the car to Colfax in preparation for leaving Eagle Point at Lake Tahoe and heading east on our planned long road trip beginning the day after Labor Day, September 6, 2022. On this morning I went prepared with my tea securely in an insulated cup, my collapsable chair, journal, a book, knitting and some breakfast: all enclosed in a "dry bag." It was wonderful to set up "camp" for an hour and a half on a deserted beach in Emerald Bay facing "My" Mountain. This is a practice I will plan to do more often next summer when we plan to return to Emerald Bay as camp hosts. Later that day a hiker shared a picture of a mountain lion track he had taken that day on the same beach I had been on. Hmm.. not sure how I feel about seeing a mountain lion nearby. We know they can be in the area, but they are seen very rarely.

Early morning sun shining on the mountains, including "My" Mountain.

The view from where I beached the kayak not too much later than the last picture.

What a difference in the lighting as the sun is fully up over the lake.

I would not see the sun itself for a while longer since I was in the shadow of the Eagle Point ridge.

Here is my morning "camp" at 8:30 AM, August 31, 2022.

You can see it is still in the shadows over 2 hours after official sunrise.

    Wednesday, August 31, was the first of our last three days off for this season. In addition to my leisurely kayak paddle we went to the library in South Lake Tahoe and did some grocery shopping in preparation for our last few days at Emerald Bay. On Thursday, September 1 we drove down to the over 100 degree heat in the foothills to take our car in for some warranty work and to have Ruth come back to Tahoe with us on Friday evening so she could then take the car back to Colfax where it will be until we return to California in November. It's hot at Tahoe right now, but not nearly so hot as Auburn and Colfax! 

Before sunrise on Thursday, September 1, from the Overlook.

    Our last three days of "work" as camp hosts were September 3-5, Labor Day Weekend, but we were on duty from the time we arrived back in camp. Friday evening, the 2nd. Campers nearby were quite noisy at 10:00 PM, beginning of quiet time, so Rob went to tell them to be quiet. They were very understanding and compliant with the camp rules, and while he was out there someone else came by looking for firewood. Our Saturday morning camp check took longer than usual because of what looked like confetti that we cleaned up in one campsite, reminding lots of late arrival campers to check in at the entrance station, and "babysitting" ice chests and other food and garbage left in a camp site when the residents of the site went somewhere. After talking to a ranger who was tied up elsewhere, we made two trips with the John Deere Gator to take the ice chests up to the entrance station. Later in the morning Rob heard car horns honking and went to investigate. It was a bear near a campsite, but the horns and the park aid's air horn weren't phasing it. It looked up when Rob arrived in the Gator and then he got out and walked toward it saying, "Go Bear," and it went. Later it was reported near the parking lot where I got a picture of it. This bear was not getting into people food but appeared to be foraging for grubs and berries - good bear! Looks like Labor Day weekend may be quite busy! Surprisingly the rest of Saturday was pretty calm and the campers that were noisy in the early evening when we were delivering wood were quiet at 10:00 PM when Rob made a run around the campground with the Gator to see if quiet hours were being honored. Rangers we talked to on Monday, Labor Day, said it was the wildest Labor Day they'd ever experienced at Tahoe. That's good because as my sister Theresa said, "If every weekend was like this I would not like Camp Hosting." Still most campers were good and compliant, but one did say to us on Sunday evening that there were sure a lot of rules, and my come back was, "There aren't any 'hidden' rules since they're posted on the sign at the entrance and on the paper handed out to every camper as they check in." He wasn't too happy with my response - I think he and his companions had broken most of the rules, and I learned later that they had gotten a food violation ticket from a ranger - that's pretty pricey.

A calm beginning to the day, Saturday, September 3.

Good Bear.

    Sunday evening, September 4, after cooking dinner in the RV we took our plates outside to the picnic table behind LesThora near where the Gator was parked and there was the good bear, not being so good pulling some garbage out of a bucket in the back of the Gator. That was really our fault for putting the garbage in there too soon in preparation for taking it to a dumpster while we did wood sales in the campground. He was still a good bear and left pretty quickly when we told him to.

The good bear leaving the garbage behind.

Last 2022 sunrise at Lake Tahoe for me - Tuesday, September 6, 2022

Goodbye mountains - see you next year!

Goodbye Eagle Point Campground.

News from Angel Island:

Elsie in a chair.

Straus in another chair.

Straus with Wheat Grass and Catnip plants.

Straus and Elsie have been eating Erin's house plants so she decided to grow plants specially for them to eat. I think they eat the wheat grass some, but they show no interest in the catnip!

Staus reflecting the sunlight.