After a busy evening in South Lake Tahoe where we walked along the lake and then enjoyed a Mexican meal on the main strip of the city, we went inside the Hard Rock casino for Issy to experience casino life!! Casinos for me are very sad seedy places, where people dream of making it big but actually end up leaving poorer than when they arrived. Still, it’s something you have to see. Ola, Angela, Issy, Will, Sophie and myself had a drink down at a small bar on the lake. Will and Sophie wanted to have a swim until we found out that it was $25 to use the beach. Fortunately as it was after 5pm the price was reduced to $10 and Will and Sophie were able to join Alyse and Hilary for a chilly dip in the lake!
Just some facts about Lake Tahoe, and apologies if I mentioned this in a previous blog…
Lake Tahoe is located on the border of California and Nevada. About two-thirds of the lake is in California, with about one-third extending into Nevada at the north and south ends of the lake, and the entire eastern shore. Since part of South Lake Tahoe extends into Nevada, gaming is legal in South Lake Tahoe.
Lake Tahoe is the third deepest lake in North America and the 10th deepest in the world. Tahoe’s deepest point is 1,645 feet near Crystal Bay. The average depth of Lake Tahoe is 989 feet. So now on to our adventures.
Next morning after a night in a less than average motel, we picked up “a takeaway breakfast” and headed to the Echo Lakes, where we started our last hike together on this trip.
Echo Lakes is not too far from South Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada and within the El Dorado National Forest. It is an area known for its seclusion, serene mountain setting, and stunning natural scenery with granite rocks and tall mountains surrounding each lake. The Upper and Lower Echo Lakes are great places for boating and fishing. Upper and Lower Echo Lakes were formed by glaciers hundreds of years ago. A narrow channel of water connects the lakes to each other and is only passable by boat early in the summer season when the water is high. The lakes freeze over during the winter months.
The lake is divided into two sections; an Upper lake, and a Lower lake. The elevation of Echo lake is maintained in summer months with a dam at 7,414 feet (2,260 m) above sea level.
We hiked to the far end of Upper Echo Lake. This is a nice day hike around Lower Echo Lake to Upper Echo Lake which is meant to be enjoyed for the views. The scenic views of the lake, small cabins, mini water falls and rock formations were once again stunning. Such a privilege to visit this pristine area.
After our 3 hour return hike with a refreshment stop and a few minutes to take our final group photos at the viewing point at Upper Echo Lake, we headed back to the van and set off on our return to San Francisco.
Such a lovely group to share 5 days with, and on returning to San Francisco, I went to dinner at a lovely Italian restaurant around the corner from our hotel in Nob Hill with Ola and Angela. Of course it’s always sad to say goodbye to new friends but who knows where and when we will meet again. And congratulations to Issy on getting her new job in Berlin, after studying all night and then having an interview in the lobby of our motel at 2am in the morning. Farewell Will and Sophie and enjoy Tennessee before returning back to Wales, and good luck Alyse and Hilary in Los Angeles with your endeavours, and safe travels home to Ola and Angela.
And Issy, enjoy every moment of your camper van adventures with your brother. It was an absolute pleasure.
