Lake Tahoe, alpine clarity.

Field guide ◆ Lake Tahoe

Plan the trip.

Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America by volume — 22 miles long, 12 miles wide, and 1,645 feet deep, sitting at 6,225 feet of elevation in the Sierra Nevada. Two states (California and Nevada) and a half-dozen towns ring the shore. The water is transparent to about 70 feet on a clear day.

For a 4-day trip: Day 1, drive Highway 89 through Emerald Bay (the most-photographed corner of the lake). Day 2, hike to Lake Aloha in Desolation Wilderness from Echo Lake. Day 3, paddle from Sand Harbor on the Nevada side (clear water, granite). Day 4, hike Mount Tallac (10 miles, summit view of the entire lake).

Summer is peak — book lodging 6+ months out for July-August weekends. Late September and early October are golden (literally — the aspens light up). Winter Tahoe is a different trip entirely (Heavenly, Squaw, Northstar all within an hour).