dstead

We are taking a trip to Reno Nevada in 2 weeks. Are there any suggestions on where to to to take the best pictures at Lake Tahoe?

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Hmmmmm, if the light is good and the skies are clear.......just pull over and pick a spot! Good views are everywhere around the lake. But so is private property and people there are less than friendly to trespassers.

Bmac Loc: Long Island, NY

Check out the State Parks bordering the lake. One I recall is Sugar Pine Point State Park, CA, use google to find the rest. I circled the lake in my car, stopping at every vantage point.

Do not forget to bring a polarizing lens! 8-)

dstead

thank you.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Emerald Bay. Which route are you taking to get there?

dstead

west out of Reno.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

I assume then that you are taking I-80 to Truckee and then south on 89 or 267. I would suggest 267 to the Lake, and left on 28 around Crystal Bay and Incline Village. The northeast part of the lake has some beautiful rock formations and the colors of the lake are stunning; stop at every turnout you can. Unfortunately that puts you on the east side of the lake, opposite Emerald Bay. From the junction of 28 with 50, south and west to 89 is very commercial and "touristy" and heavily traveled. From 50, take 89 north, stopping at the bay, to Truckee. The drive alongside the Truckee River also offers excellent photo opportunities.

BUT, if you feel adventurous, go south from Reno on 395 to the Mount Rose turnoff and take 431 to the lake at Crystal Bay. The scenery over Mount Rose is stunning. YOU WILL NOT REGRET THIS DIVERSION!!!

Whichever way you go, have a great time. Do not forget to take a CPL for each camera. With any luck, you will be there when the low pressure allows the haze to dissipate; if not, you might want to take a haze filter (although I have little success with them). An ND Grad might also be useful, especially on a bright day.

dstead

cpl? thanks for the info. doug

dstead

taking d700,14/24, 24/120, 70/200 and 50 1.4. tripod. nd grad filters, ect. thanks again for the help.

alimc060405 Loc: Livermore, CA

There are many beautiful places to shoot in Tahoe. From the North Shore you can get images of the other end of the lake. Heavenly Valley Ski resort can be seen from Tahoe City to Crystal Bay. Beautiful sunset images can be taken from the east shore. Sand Harbor is an excellent area to take those pictures. You get the beautiful rock formations, lake, mountains, and sunset. There are vistas everywhere. Find one and start snapping. Heavenly Valley has a gondola ride to an observation deck where you can get some great shots. Take a cruise on the lake to get shots of Emerald Bay. There are also hiking trails down to Emerald Bay on the West Shore. In Tahoe City there is a bridge called Fanny Bridge. There are tons of trout there. Also There is a cabin there that you can walk past to a beautiful path that looks out to the lake. I go there often and take tons of pictures. Enjoy.

dstead

Hey,thanks to all, can not wait. i have not been there before. should be a lot of great pix.

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

Having lived at Lake Tahoe for 15 yrs I can say Mogul gave you great advice -Yes don't go without a CPL - also if you drive up to Truckee on interstate 80 keep right on up over Donner Summit - a mile or 2 and turn left into Soda Springs and left on Old Hwy 50 back towards Truckee- down the old hyw 50 it has the most fantastic view of Donner Lake & Truckee you can imagine - be prepared to stop at the semi circle concrete bridge (Rainbow Bridge) to take photos - while there look at those cliffs and imagine why the Donner Party could not get over them in the winter. as you drive past the lower end of Donner Lake you pass the memorial at their campsite. Turn right on 89 and follow it to Tahoe City & Fanny Bridge - have you CPL on your camera for sure my only other thing to ad to it is watch the time of day for photos on the west shore as the sun drops behind the Sierras and shadows Emerald Bay fairly early in the evening. from Fanny bridge south along the west shore there are many places to pull over & photo - the parking at the end of Emerald Bay gives great views of the lake as well as the stream and "Eagle Falls" -just as one passes Emerald Bay there is a ridge with parking and trails leading up it that gives great shots of Cascade lake as well as walking towards Lake Tahoe and photos of the lakes south shore. A few miles closer to south shore is the visitors center on the left at Taylor creek with it's viewing chamber of the steam bed - this time of year the Kokanee ( a land lock salmon variety) will be spanning & the fish colors are fantastic. At that point you can go west up Taylor creek to Fallen Leaf Lake - a fantastic glacier carved lake - closer to South Lake Tahoe you will drive thru Camp Richardson a great Old resort.[

My self photos in So Lake Tahoe are a waste of time unless you do go on the Tram. But instead drive past the Casinos and turn right at Kingsbury Grade and drive up to the top of the ridge - only about 3 miles turn around & take photos on the way back down the grade. Then on around the east shore Zepher cove lodge - Cave Rock ( hard to miss ) when you see the tunnel get ready to turn left into the parking lot. from there on around the east shore the road gets away from the lake quite often for several miles. But again the drive is worth it. Just make sure to turn left at the top of Spooner Summit or you will end up in Carson City LMAO
I too recommend the road from North Shore over Mt Rose back to Hwy 395and back to Reno. At one point it is about 4,000 feet to the valley floor - a 45 minute ride by hang glider.
Harvey

Renoquote=Mogul]

I assume then that you are taking I-80 to Truckee and then south on 89 or 267. I would suggest 267 to the Lake, and left on 28 around Crystal Bay and Incline Village. The northeast part of the lake has some beautiful rock formations and the colors of the lake are stunning; stop at every turnout you can. Unfortunately that puts you on the east side of the lake, opposite Emerald Bay. From the junction of 28 with 50, south and west to 89 is very commercial and "touristy" and heavily traveled. From 50, take 89 north, stopping at the bay, to Truckee. The drive alongside the Truckee River also offers excellent photo opportunities.

BUT, if you feel adventurous, go south from Reno on 395 to the Mount Rose turnoff and take 431 to the lake at Crystal Bay. The scenery over Mount Rose is stunning. YOU WILL NOT REGRET THIS DIVERSION!!!

Whichever way you go, have a great time. Do not forget to take a CPL for each camera. With any luck, you will be there when the low pressure allows the haze to dissipate; if not, you might want to take a haze filter (although I have little success with them). An ND Grad might also be useful, especially on a bright day.[/quote]

dstead

man,, thanks. we will in the area for 4 days. cpl?

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

A few advisories:

1. You are going to be above 6000' in altitude. If you have COPD or heart problems, consult you doctor before traveling. Also you have less protection from UV rays at altitude; if you are out of your car in the daytime and, especially if you are light-complected, carry and use sunscreen.

2. If the weather is stormy, carry chains. I have seen snow in that region in July! It's unlikely, but if it starts snowing, head for Reno or Carson City.

3. Traffic on 28 is two lane, congested and slow; do not get in a hurry. If you get tied up by an accident, either be patient (clearing can take 2-3 hours) or turn around and tahe another route. Traffic at South Lake Tahoe (especially 5 miles either side of Stateline) can be like an LA freeway at quitting time; just be patient and you'll get through it. There is a way around, but you do not want to take it. Right, Harvey?

dstead

good stuff,, thanks. oh, cpl,, i do not what i was thinking, of course, will have several. thanks again,, doug