Right on the border of California and Nevada, this freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada is home to beautiful sights and fun experiences.
By Phil Welty, F492381
May 2023
Lake Tahoe can be many things to many people, all in a few days. In May 2022, we packed up our 2018 Tiffin Phaeton motorhome and headed up the U.S. 50 corridor to South Lake Tahoe, driving past the disaster that was the Caldor Fire. The route looked completely changed from the 30-plus years we have driven along it. Practically all of the trees were either burnt or being cut out by logging crews removing the devastation. I lost count of the number of destroyed and melted homes and cabins we passed.
While staying in South Lake Tahoe in May 2022, the Weltys experienced smaller-than-usual crowds, and then a change in weather, which resulted in a winter wonderland enjoyed by both two-footed and four-footed family members.
When we finally made our way to Tahoe Valley Campground, a Thousand Trails facility, we proceeded to set up our home for the next two weeks. The valley was cool, and the air was crisp with the beginnings of a new summer season. The park was nearly devoid of other people, with only a few long-term residents and people passing through. We rarely experience an RV park that isn’t full, and we treasured the quiet.
Our entire Tahoe experience was similarly lacking the usual number of people during the transition from winter to summer seasons. It was strange to not see endless crowds at every location in the valley. We were able to hike the famous trail to Eagle Falls and did not encounter a single person when we reached the overlook.
Our kayaking adventures were similar. We spent several hours paddling Fallen Leaf Lake without seeing a single person. It was not your typical Tahoe experience.
Several days into our adventure, the sky began to change. Dark clouds rolled in, and a light mist started to fall, along with the temperature. The temperature continued to drop until the light mist gave way to fluffy snow that evening. It continued to snow for three days, and the park turned into a winter wonderland. It was nice that nature gave us a few warm days, but the onset of snow was the highlight of our trip.
We travel with two adult Irish setters and a senior yellow Labrador retriever. They loved the frozen landscape and eating the freshly fallen snow. One of the setters had the strangest habit of only eating snow that had settled on pine cones.
Our Tiffin weathered the storm magnificently. It was an oasis in the snow. Over a span of three days, 6 inches of snow fell, leaving an unforgettable moment in our travels. We considered returning to South Lake Tahoe this May, but the record-setting snowfall during winter convinced us to head to Monterey Bay instead and see what the whales were up to.