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Brockway Fire Lookout –
Spectacular views of the lake, nature trail, and
picnicking. From Brockway Springs, turn right on Hwy 28,
turn left on reservoir Dr. (just past Crystal Bay, between
the Tahoe Biltmore and the Tahoe Mariner casinos) turn
right on Lake View Ave. and go to the top of the hill.
Take your first left, take the Forest Service Road to the
lookout. (Paved road).
Carson City – Nevada’s capital
city is still probably the smallest state capital in the
nation. It’s a nice place to just look around, and it’s
best attraction is the Nevada State Museum, across from
the Nugget Casino, on the main drag. One mile south of
the main museum on Hwy 395 at Fairview Dr. is the Nevada
State Railroad Museum.
Donner Museum – About three
miles north of Interstate 80 on Hwy 89 North is the Donner
Historical Site, where a short walk on a marked trail
takes you to the very tree, still standing, against which
the Donner family pitched their tent and spent the
winter. The Donner Memorial State Park, just off-80 at
the Donner Lake Exit displays interesting exhibits and
artifacts as well as present movies and slide shows
relating to the Donner Party’s ordeal. The park also
features a 7,500-foot long lakeside interpretive trail.
The museum is open every day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission to the museum is $1 for adults over 16 and under
16 is free. 530-582-7892
Emerald Bay – Stay on Hwy 89
and you can’t miss the most picturesque spot in the
world. The highway here is hundreds of feet above lake
level, and offers a spectacular view of Emerald Bay.
Fanny Bridge – It’s on Hwy 89
in Tahoe City directly south of the Albertson’s
supermarket. The Lake Tahoe outlet gates, which are used
to control the flow of water into the Truckee River, and
thereby raise or lower the water level of the entire lake.
This is great for the kids because they can feed the
rainbow trout.
Gatekeeper’s Museum – Looking
at the Gatekeeper’s Cabin, located next to the Tahoe City
dam, you can appreciate the simple life, which the
gatekeeper led in the early 1900’s. Hired in 1909, his
job was to keep detailed records of daily water levels and
flow. His can=bin remained a landmark until 1978, when
fire leveled the historic house to its foundation. The
North Lake Tahoe Historical Society rebuilt the cabin to
serve as a museum. Visitors can stroll through it
examining such intriguing memorabilia as 19th
century maps, Indian baskets, tools, jewelry, clothing,
pictures and artifacts of logging and railroad days, 1960
Olympics souvenirs and pictorial history of Tahoe and the
North Shore. 530-583-1762.
Lake Tahoe Visitor’s Center –
It’s almost at South Shore, but if you’re as far as
Emerald Bay, it’s worth going a little farther on Hwy 89
to see their exhibit hall, nature trails and snow
measuring instruments.
Squaw Valley – Ride the cable
car to High Camp that overlooks the valley. Bike, riding,
hiking, picnicking, swimming, and ice-skating in the
winter are available. The original Olympic Flame and five
ring Olympic insignia still mark the right side of the
entrance to Squaw Valley, off Hwy 89, about five miles
north of Tahoe City.
Sugar Pine Point State Park –
On Hwy 89, nine miles south of Tahoe City. In addition to
picnicking, hiking and camping, Sugar Pine Point has the
colossal Ehrman Mansion, formerly the vacation residence
of the wealthy San Francisco family. There is a nature
trail, which describes the history of Tahoe, and it’s
habitants.
Tahoe – Virginia – Carson City
Loop – An all day outing, take Mt. Rose Hwy (Rt. 431)
to Virginia City. From there, instead of turning back,
continue on through picturesque Gold Hill and Silver City
to hwy 50, then turn right and go about seven miles to
Carson City. After visiting Carson City (you are really
making a mistake if you do not see the silver mine in the
museum basement), go south on Rt. 395, the main street, to
Hwy 50 West. Turn right, and it’s 13 miles up 50 to Nevada
Rt. 28. Another right turn, and you’re on your way back to
North Tahoe. It’s about ten miles from Hwy 50 and 28
junction to the outskirts of Incline Village.
Truckee – Was once a booming
town with rowdy saloons and a busy red light district.
Frequently, the lullaby for visitors attempting to sleep
was the tinkle of money on the faro tables and player
pianos cranking out music in the saloons. Times have
changed, though, and Truckee has mellowed somewhat, but is
still attracts plenty of visitors. Located just east of
beautiful Donner Lake, Truckee is a busting, year round
recreational paradise. During the winter, skiers and
snow-minded sports enthusiasts flock to town; in summer,
the quaint shops and restaurants make Truckee a perfect
spot for a day of sightseeing and learning about the local
history.
Virginia City – It’s the
nation’s largest Historic District. Old buildings, steam
engine rides, mine tours, a huge cemetery, countless
exhibits (many free) and several sidewalks make this a
worthwhile trip for all. Take Mt. Rose Hwy (Rt. 431) from
Incline to the stoplight at Rt. 395. Cross 395 and go
straight ahead up the Geiger Grade to Virginia City (takes
a little over an hour from mid North Shore). Be sure to
take the mine tour and ride the V&T steam train.
Watson Cabin – A living museum
for anyone interested in what life at Tahoe was like at
the turn of the century. It is on the lake side of North
Lake Blvd. in Tahoe City. Descendants dressed in period
costumes conduct guided tours. Open June 15th –
Labor Day, 12 P.M.- 4 P.M.
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