Your Online Resource for Hiking, Backpacking, Cross-Country Skiing, and Snowshoeing at Lake Tahoe
Don’t get me wrong. I have absolutely no problem with Lake Tahoe’s scenery during the fall. The views are as idyllic as any mountainous locale in the world. Really, I’m not complaining. It’s just that I have this one minor, teeny-weeny, itsy-bitsy gripe. And this is coming from an artist, mind you, so take it…
The Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) is one of my absolute most favorite birds. It’s not necessarily rare or endangered. However, it’s an elusive bird nonetheless. And it’s impossible not to feel wonder and awe when you see one in the wild thanks to its large black body contrasted by a striped face and red-capped head….
For many people, woodpeckers conjure up imagery ranging from the annoying. Those pesky birds that perforate the sides of homes new and old. To the absurd. Woody Woodpecker up to his usual hijinks. To the industrious. Woodpeckers are considered by many as the lumberjacks of the bird world, after all. There’s no question that they…
Living at Lake Tahoe and being surrounded by the Sierra Nevada Mountains is like living in a dream. There’s plenty of powdery snow in the winter and sunshine in the summer. The finest outdoor recreation is literally outside your front door. And, despite the massive influx of visitors that come to Lake Tahoe during the…
Looking for wildflowers at Lake Tahoe is much like going on a treasure hunt. But the beauty of searching for Lake Tahoe wildflowers is that you’re almost always guaranteed to find some in bloom. This is assuming that you’re looking during the warmer months, of course. Just be forewarned, though, if you do decide to…
I always stop to appreciate Sierra Nevada wildflowers while hiking. However, my love of specifically hunting for them comes and goes like the seasons. Some years I’m simply more active in my search for the small treasures. Other years, I’m more interested in logging miles. But one of those active years of searching for wildflowers was…
Although Jeffrey Pine (Pinus jeffreyi) trees are the most common trees found in the Lake Tahoe Basin, that fact doesn’t diminish their regal beauty and dignified stature. One reason for their abundance is their resilient nature in the face of adversity. These coniferous evergreens can live for 400-500 years and are tolerant of many stressors…
Although the United States is composed of multiple climates, and spring weather manifests at various times around the country, generally speaking the month of May is when most Americans expect to see flowers in bloom. This is evidenced by our repeated use of the old English proverb April showers bring May flowers. However, in the…