Journeys Around Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe, a national treasure, is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the United States. This book, based on over 25 years' research by the author and collaborators, reveals the geologic story behind Tahoe's magnificent scenery and landscapes, guides the visitor on journeys (day trips) around the lake, and explains what you will see and explore on all routes in the Tahoe basin, blending in important details of geology and history. The Tahoe tsunami theme is a big story, a lot of it presented here for the first time. There are many new insights on world-famous locations including Emerald Bay, Cave Rock, Stateline Point, and South Lake Tahoe. Virginia City and the Comstock Lode are also explored because the Tahoe basin and Virginia City together greatly influenced U.S. history. This book reveals that every viewpoint at Lake Tahoe has an important story to tell. Photography is by the author, except where noted.

Lake Tahoe, a national treasure, is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the United States. This book, based on over 25 years' research by the author and collaborators, reveals the geologic story behind Tahoe's magnificent scenery and landscapes; guides the visitor on journeys (day trips) around the lake on all routes in the Tahoe basin; and blends in important details of scenery, geology, and history. The first five chapters describe what travelers can see or learn driving near and around the lake and links magnificent sites where they can hike, bike, ski, swim, or drive to major geological themes. There are many new insights on world-famous locations including Emerald Bay, Cave Rock, Stateline Point, and South Lake Tahoe. Revelations from underwater geology, about which most people know very little, present the Tahoe Tsunami as a central theme as well. Brief, bullet-point summaries illustrate that Lake Tahoe is part of a much greater historical milieu that includes the "ancient ones" (the Washoe people), in addition to "Anglo" history. Few visitors are aware of the historical connections or how "Anglos" have done much to destroy Lake Tahoe, while dedicated public and private groups are even now trying to restore and protect Tahoe's magnificence from our own abuses. The Tahoe basin and Virginia City had major impacts on each other, and together they greatly influenced U.S. history. Timber and fuel wood from Tahoe's once-pristine forests (which were nearly destroyed) contributed to the deep Comstock mines, which produced great amounts of silver and gold. The mineral wealth led to Nevada Statehood, contributed to the Union victory in the Civil War, led to development of San Francisco and its great fortunes, influenced the routing of the transcontinental railroad, led to establishment of Mackay School of Mines, and so on. Virginia City is revealed by driving through and walking around the town, and by describing some of the most important deep mines. Countless excellent Lake Tahoe books have been published, but most are to be read at home and have pretty pictures with little discussion. Certain "guides" list places to stay, shop, eat, and gamble or places to camp, swim, hike or ski. This book, which can also be enjoyed at home, uses numerous color photos and maps to guide the traveler or explorer on day trips around all the routes in the Tahoe basin, and reveals that every viewpoint has an important story to tell. Photography is by the author, except where noted.

Rich Schweickert is a passionate naturalist and photographer who resides in Reno, Nevada. After his Ph. D. at Stanford University in 1972, he was a Professor of Geology at Columbia University and Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory, New York before moving to Nevada and serving over 25 years as Professor of Geology at University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). Rich has done extensive research at Lake Tahoe in collaboration with many other earth scientists and students. His Tahoe research involved ~465 field days and hiking all peaks around the basin, walking all beaches, and many boat days logging over 100 ROV dives. He has carried out comparative studies in the eastern Sierra Nevada, Austrian, French, Italian, and Swiss Alps, Scotland, Alaska, British Columbia, Alberta, Montana, Chile, Argentina, and Antarctica. With over 200 publications, he has made numerous presentations on Tahoe geology to public groups and State and Federal agencies.