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Eagle Lake LbNA #5422

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Aug 27, 2003
Location:
City:South Lake Tahoe
County:El Dorado
State:California
Boxes:1
Planted by:Cavalier Manor
Found by: C The Sun
Last found:Jul 5, 2009
Status:FFFF
Last edited:Aug 27, 2003
This box is planted along Eagle Lake, which is accessible by hiking about a mile up from Emerald Bay on the southwest end of Lake Tahoe. The hike itself is moderately strenuous – you climb over 1,500 feet up a trail that consists of a fair number of man-made steps. In the high altitude this may be difficult, especially for small children. It took us about an hour to climb up and only a half hour to get down. We were also carrying a 13-month-old baby, so less-encumbered hikers can probably go faster.

Wear good shoes and take some water. If you can spare the time, definitely bring a picnic lunch and your bathing suit. Maybe even some bread to feed the ducks who live there. We’ve visited twice in August and both times saw baby ducks. You could easily spend an hour or two enjoying Eagle Lake.

Directions: Park in the Eagle Falls parking lot off Hwy 89. The lot is on the right if you are driving south on 89 – about 500 feet from the Vikingsholm parking lot at Emerald Bay. There is a parking fee of $3.00. The lot can get crowded in the summer, so you might plan to arrive early or later in the afternoon to avoid having to park on the highway. You also need to get a day permit to enter Desolation Wilderness. One guidebook we have suggested that you lock up your valuables in your trunk as there is history of theft there.

Take the trail and follow the signs to Eagle Lake (not the loop trail). Cross Eagle Falls on the wooden bridge – prettier in the spring with more snowmelt. Keep pushing up the steps to Desolation Wilderness – you’ll see a sign. You’ve gone up 1500 feet! You’ll stay on a dirt and rock path that’s not so steep. When you get to the rock plateau, be sure to stop for a photo of gorgeous Emerald Bay. (The view is a bit better when you get to the top of those rocks.)

When you get to Eagle Lake, celebrate with a photo and maybe a rest in the shade to enjoy the tranquil view. Gorgeous! Then continue on the path around the lake to your right. If you view the lake as a clock with 6:00 as your starting point, then your destination is at about 2:00. You may have to scramble a bit to cross the stream where the lake lets out, but from there the path follows the water’s edge. You’ll pass some great spots for forest picnics and swimming.

Eventually you will come to a small clearing to the right of the path – a perfect picnic spot, perhaps? About 25 yards past the clearing you will pass a sizeable tree on your right. You can also see a lone dead tree stump on the hill above you. Next you’ll pass between two large trees that are about equal in size. Look uphill for a distinctive large solitary egg-shaped boulder that looks like it’s had a section chopped off. You’ll definitely know it when you see it; it looks like a giant watermelon with a slice cut out of it -- or maybe a giant Pac-Man? A split baked potato? We debated how to describe this unusual rock – what do you think it looks like? Email us and share your thoughts.

To find the letterbox, climb up the hill and look on the back (uphill) side of the rock. The box is in a crevice in the boulder under a black and white speckled rock.

Enjoy the box and Eagle Lake!

Email us with problems or questions: CavalierManor@gmail.com