Lake Tahoe

After exploring Death Valley, our original rough itinerary had us crossing west onto the Tioga Pass Road bringing us into Yosemite National Park. However, as we approached the turnoff we discovered the pass was closed (in anticipation of a storm which never eventuated, we found out later; the road was open the next day!) so instead we continued north toward Lake Tahoe.

We stayed the night in Lone Pine, not far out of Death Valley. The picturesque setting is thanks to the Sierra Nevada mountain range which runs 640km north-to-south between California and Nevada.
We stopped for lunch in Mammoth Lakes, a pretty alpine town.
Us and the first snow at Mammoth Lakes.
Gorgeous Lake Tahoe. We drove the 72-mile circumference of the lake - the following photos are taken from the beautiful undeveloped eastern shores.
Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America.
It is also America's second deepest lake.
Much to John's amusement MC went for an unintended dip around this spot after stepping on a very slippery log!
However John's laughter abated as we rounded a corner of boulders and discovered a middle-aged male nudist spreadeagled on a rock!

Emerald Bay on the south side.
Reflections on the western shore.
John playing on the big boulders.
The top of Lower Eagle Falls plummeting into Emerald Bay.
Eagle Falls.

After a great time driving round Tahoe, we set off the next day for another go at getting into Yosemite National Park!