Lake Tahoe Emerald Bay
Originally uploaded by JoeDuck
Emerald Bay of Lake Tahoe. In my opinion this area is one of the prettiest spots in all of the American West. Highway 89 heads north from South Lake Tahoe to Tahoe City and cuts between Emerald Bay and a lake so you are perched high above two beautiful mountain lakes on the drive. For a superb day hike consider parking at DL Bliss State Park and hiking to Vikingshome, the historic small mansion by the lake now run by the park service. About 5 miles one way and you can take a trolly back (seasonal!) to your car or hike back. 2 to 3 hours each way on a beautiful, mostly flat trail.
Joe Duck 
I’m delighted to be able to say that Tom and I have been there! We did a side trip from Reno one February and drove around the whole Tahoe loop. Of course we got out there at Emerald Bay and took some nice shots. Glad we did it then because my thoughts about driving up unfamiliar mountainous roads in winter have changed since just a few years ago, and I doubt I’d be willing to do it again when there is snow.
Hey, cool Maggie. Snow would make that trip a lot more stressful. I remember when we lived in Sacramento how often the I-80 to Reno or I-50 to South Lake Tahoe would be bombarded with bad weather, snow, and ice.
We came home via Donner Pass north of Tahoe and it’s hard to imagine doing that in a wagon…