We found ourselves back at Glen Alpine Falls, this time with Jan and Chris. Even though they have lived here for over 30 years, this was the first time they had seen the falls in such full force. What fun.
We parked at Lily Lake to walk further on, to the historic Glen Alpine Springs Resort.
It wasn't until after we finished the hike that we received a text from Jenny, "I forgot about possible water on the trail above Lily." Oh man, it was more than possible. At times it was a river.
And there was a great deal of evidence of very busy beavers!
The hike ended here, in the remains of the once famous Glen Alpine Springs Resort, considered Tahoe's first resort. John Muir wrote of this historic landmark:
The Glen Alpine Springs tourist resort seems to me one of the most delightful places in all the famous Tahoe region. From no other valley, as far as I know, may excursions be made in a single day to so many peaks, wild gardens, glacier lakes, glacier meadows, and Alpine groves, cascades, etc.
The Glen Alpine Springs is the site of a natural spring, turned resort in 1884. The current buildings were designed by the famous architect, Bernard Maybeck, designer of the San Francisco Palace of Fine Art.
After a 1921 fire destroyed the dining room and kitchen, Maybeck was hired to replace them with fireproof buildings. The four buildings designed by Maybeck still stand. They include the Assembly Hall; dining hall; kitchen; and the "one-of-a-kind" Bubblestone Cabin (above). Maybeck increasingly tried untested "fireproof" materials such as bubblestone (a type of aerated cement). Jan and Chris pointed out this very weird building to us. Cool stuff.
Jan spotted this snake (above the crack in the rock). Wild stuff. Thankfully, there are no venomous snakes here (just another reason we love Tahoe).
Okay, I can't believe I'm going to write this, but I believe this is my favorite butterfly photo. According to Bob and Jenny, it is a Large Marble Butterfly drinking from a Mountain Jewel Flower. How spectacular is this?
Oh and if the day wasn't great enough, I finally had my first bear sighting!
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2 comments:
Looks like a really great day for you. Sorry I forgot about the water but it is crystal clear, eh?! Have never seen Bubble house - kinda ugly. We're on the hunt for a garter snake for TINS....good job Jan! Congrats on your bear sighting Denise!
Isn't that where we "hiked" and you carried our picnic lunch in, only to be attacked by mosquitoes? I bow to you on your spectacular butterfly photo and hooray for the bear sighting. I'm glad you are making the most of your last couple days in Tahoe before your epic summer adventure.
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