Fallen Leaf Lake.

Today we decided to take a hike on US Forest Service Land at the Lake Tahoe Basin Unit. We chose to walk the Moraine Trail, the trailhead is located in the Fallen Leaf Campground about three miles north of South Lake Tahoe along Hwy 89.

We parked in the parking lot at the trailhead and set off with our trusty trail dog KoKo. After a short distance the trail ran parallel with Taylor Creek, the green water of the creek was running fast and deep. We walked along the creek until we reached Fallen Leaf Dam at the foot of Fallen Leaf Lake.

 

Sandy tries to keep up with the trail dog.

 

Taylor Creek.

 

KoKo not only jumped trees that fell across the trail, she used them as her own trail to get closer to the creek.

 

The clarity of the lake water was evident as we crossed Fallen Leaf Dam.

 

Taylor Creek roars away from the dam.

 

 

We crossed the dam and walked a marked trail until we reached Cathedral Road, the trail seemed to end there so we returned to Fallen Leaf Lake and continued on the Moraine Trail. From the dam the trail ran parallel with the lakeshore and we had some great views of the lake and snow covered mountains beyond.

 

Fallen Leaf Lake.

 

Looking across the lake.

 

Sandy and KoKo walking along the lakeshore.

 

Our last view across Fallen Leaf Lake.

 

The trail turned toward the campground where we came out of the trees near our starting point, the Moraine Trail is about two miles in length and we spent about an hour and a half walking which included the time we spent capturing images and walking the area beyond the dam. KoKo is generally not a walker and we have a hard time getting the Diva to walk in campgrounds but she seems to enjoy this type of trail and all the scents she finds along the way.

After walking this trail we drove Fallen Leaf Road up another three miles to see Glen Alpine Falls. It was an interesting drive and a beautiful spot but we will save that for another entry.