We have been kayaking at Round Hill beach on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe for a couple of years. Recently, Jerri decided we should branch out as Round Hill is getting too crowded and we know just about every rock on our kayaking routes.
There are many lakes around Lake Tahoe and in the Sierras and we did a bit of research on how far we’d have to carry the kayaks, where to park, and time to get to our new playground. She wanted to try Caples Lake and we headed out to the Caples Resort. As we neared the resort, we noticed a public boat launch sign and turned in there. What a treasure! Only $5 for day use; easy parking and a small distance to carry our gear; several little beaches where we can socially isolate. It was quiet and very few people. This was the best! Please remember to double click on the photos to enlarge them.
Yes, the beach is rocky, but we have chairs to sit on and we love the solitude. We can hear water lapping on the shore and the birds in the area.
There are many trees and even a few redwoods.
We are even treated to a few flowers still in bloom. Here is a small lupine.
There was a wind blowing when we arrived but it was not as cold as the winds generally are at Lake Tahoe. We were still cautious with the kayaks and didn’t go out in the middle of the lake, but we were able to paddle about a mile without turning around and that was on just one side of the lake. We were excited to spot what we originally thought was a bald eagle, but it turned out to be an osprey in a dead tree. It’s not as big as a bald eagle, but it’s still a large bird. We even got to see it fly and try for a fish, their primary food. Photo: Audubon field guide
Caples is much smaller than Tahoe and not as deep and I think that is why even though its elevation is higher, it was warmer. We were comfortable to wade and even play with the Boogie boards.
We knew the weather forecast called for winds and possible thunderstorms and were on the watch for thunderheads building around the mountain peaks. This is the only rabbit we saw that day. 🙂
We watched this “donut” build and when the wind built up speed and the donut blocked out the sun in a relatively short time, we quickly packed up and left. One does not mess around with lightning in the mountains and on lakes.
A sweet picture of my grand-niece watching the lake.
Dean was waiting for me when I got home and wanted to relax together a bit before I took a shower.
Jerri and I were so excited about Caples Lake that we went two days in a row. So much fun and it’s worth the extra few miles to drive to get to this treasure of the Sierra Nevada.
P.S. Don’t tell folks about how cool this lake is. We love its solitude and beauty unmarred by crowds.
buzzardnotes 
Wow! Love your photos from Caples Lake. I haven’t been there in years. It looks heavenly to be on that water! That donut cloud is lovely, as is the sweet photo of Dean Johnson all slugged out.
Cora,
I sure enjoyed your blog and I shared it with Doyle.
We miss kayaking up and around all of the other 100 lakes above Tahoe. When we lived up there, that’s what we’d do. We’d go to the other lakes to play since all of the tourists were at Tahoe.
Looking forward to the next blog.
~Kim
Kim Harris Western History ALIVE! 775.220.0605 http://www.WesternHistoryAlive.com “History is made every moment, every hour and every day…by every one of us! Make our history count – keep it ALIVE!” ~Kim
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As always, great pictures and interesting info from the Buzzard! Thanks for sharing! Megan is getting so pretty! The Hoffmaster chicks are looking good as well. What fun! I’m glad you found a new “special treasure” spot where you can play. Playtime is good for ALL creatures! Love, ~c