Our Mission D.L. Bliss The mission of State Parks is elight your senses — s to provide for the health, inspiration and D education of the people of California by helping inhale a Jeffrey pine’s Emerald Bay to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities vanilla-scented bark, State Parks for high-quality outdoor recreation. feel lake water chill your toes, taste a grilled trout, hear a breeze rustle through the pines, California State Parks supports equal access. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact the park at and watch bats buzz the (530) 525-7232. If you need this publication in an alternate format, contact [email protected]. beach at twilight.

CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 For information call: (800) 777-0369 (916) 653-6995, outside the U.S. 711, TTY relay service

www.parks.ca.gov

D.L. Bliss and Emerald Bay State Parks Hwy. 89 / P.O. Box 266, Tahoma, CA 96142 D.L. Bliss (530) 525-7277 Emerald Bay (530) 541-3030 (summer only) Sierra District Headquarters (530) 525-7232 Cover, back panel, and Eagle Falls photographs courtesy of Ron Maertz

© 2001 California State Parks (Rev. 2017) D.L. Bliss and Emerald Bay Emerald Bay was lived in the Tahoe basin since its beginnings. State Parks include more than designated a National They traveled seasonally: hunting, fishing, six miles of magnificent Lake Natural Landmark by and gathering locally available food. The Tahoe’s west shore, covering the U.S. Department of Washoe moved from the lake they called 1,830 acres in California’s Sierra the Interior in 1969. da-ow-aga to the lower valleys in Nevada and Nevada. From the scenic Summer temperatures California for the winter. Da-ow-aga is revered overlook on Highway 89, you at Tahoe range from as the center of the Washoe world. can see a brilliant panorama of highs of 90 degrees Between 1848 and 1862, the Washoe Emerald Bay, Fannette Island, during the day to the people’s estimated 10,000 square miles , and the distant low 40s at night. Winter of lakeside and surrounding land were Nevada shore. Nearby Eagle temperatures average taken during the gold and silver rushes. Creek cascades over three falls from a high of 40 degrees New settlers logged off the Sierra range to and disappears into the lake. to a low of 0. Depending construct mines and dwellings, altering the D.L. Bliss State Park is named Eagle Falls on the weather, the parks environment—contrary to the Washoe values for a pioneering lumberman, are open from late May of a healthy environment for the people, railroad owner, and banker from the region. through September and are closed during water, wildlife, and plants. The Bliss family donated 744 acres to the the winter. Heavy Sierra snowfall may Their descendants, the Washoe Tribe of California State Park System in 1929. temporarily close Highway 89 in winter. California and Nevada, are now engaged in The nucleus of Emerald Bay State Park, efforts to reclaim portions of their land. including Vikingsholm, was sold to the State PARK HISTORY The Washoe Tribe operates the Meeks for half the appraised value by Placerville Native People Bay resort and campground concession lumberman Harvey West in 1953. Save the The Washoe (aboriginal Wašiw) were the first north of D.L. Bliss State Park. The Washoe Redwoods League helped raise funds people to inhabit the Lake Tahoe basin and people continue to devote their time to their to acquire the land. the nearby range. Washoe have language and culture. Vikingsholm Fannette Island In 1928, Mrs. Lora J. Knight of Santa Barbara Emerald Bay’s purchased this isolated site at the head Fannette of Emerald Bay. Knight instructed Lennart Island is the Palme, a Swedish-born architect and only island in her nephew by marriage, to design a home Lake Tahoe. for her. Following a trip to Scandinavia, A sparsely the two decided to use elements found in timbered, Norwegian farmsteads and wooden stave brush-covered churches, without disturbing a single one of upthrust of the Emerald Bay site’s magnificent trees. granite that Vikingsholm’s construction methods and rises 150 feet materials, including granite boulders in above the the foundations and walls, are the same as water, Fannette those used in ancient Scandinavia. Towers, Island was not intricate carvings, and hand-hewn timbers always known were used to create the home. The sod roofs, by that name. with their living grass and flowers, are copied During the past from sites in Norway. Many of the furnishings 100 years, it Underwater preserve, Emerald Bay that Mrs. Knight wanted for Vikingsholm was known as were so historically significant that their Eckley’s Island, Coquette Island, Baranoff export was forbidden by the Norwegian and Island, Dead Man’s Island, Hermit’s Island, Swedish governments. She had authentic and Emerald Isle. furnishings duplicated in detail, down to Captain Dick Barter, “the Hermit of Emerald the measurements, colorations, and aging Bay,” lived on Dead Man’s Island from 1863 of the wood. Vikingsholm was completed to 1873. He built his own wooden chapel and in September 1929. Mrs. Knight spent her tomb above the high-water line of the island. summers at the home until her death in 1945. In 1873, the captain’s boat was found wrecked Visitors can take a guided tour of at Rubicon Point above deep water; his body Vikingsholm, listed on the National Register was never recovered. of Historic Places, from Memorial Day In 1929, Lora Knight had a stone tea house, through September for a nominal fee. The resembling a miniature castle, built on building is about a mile down a steep Fannette Island. Mrs. Knight and her guests pedestrian trail from the parking lot at would take a motorboat to have tea on the The Vikingsholm tour includes the restored the Emerald Bay Overlook. Call the Sierra island. The tea house had a small corner summer lodge and interior rooms and District office in advance at (530) 525-7232 fireplace with a large oak table and four oak concludes with a visit to the sod-roofed garage and carport. for information about Vikingsholm chairs. Vandalism has taken its toll; only the ADA accessibility. stone shell remains. Underwater Preserve Emerald Bay was gouged out by glaciers dogwood, service Emerald Bay, long recognized for its thousands of years ago; the points at the berry, and bitter cherry. spectacular natural beauty, is formed by bay’s entrance are terminal glacial moraines. Wildflowers — such steep Sierra cliffs that plunge into the narrow Geologists believe that the granite of as columbine, leopard lily, bay. The underwater preserve extends around Fannette Island resisted the glacial ice. The bleeding heart, and yellow the entrance to the bay and includes Rubicon, lake is over 22 miles long, 12 miles wide, monkey flower — bloom Emerald, and Eagle Points. and more than 1,600 feet deep. You can see in season. Chipmunks and Archaeological data indicates that this approximately 70 feet into its depths from Steller’s jays feed and hide among ceanothus, chinquapin, prehistoric site includes bedrock mortars, promontories such as Rubicon Point. The Monkey scuttled craft, and at least eight vessels lake level is controlled by a small dam on currant, gooseberry, huckleberry, and flower reported to have been lost in the the Truckee River at Tahoe City. More than manzanita. Lucky visitors may spot a underwater area. 62 streams feed water into the lake, but the bald eagle or an osprey fishing. As California’s first shipwreck preserve, Truckee River is the only outflow. Emerald Bay’s underwater state preserve was The Lake Tahoe basin has a wide variety officially opened to the public in September of trees and plants. Majestic sugar pines 1994. Wooden cargo barges, constructed of grow on the thin granitic soil of D.L. Bliss. massive ponderosa pine timbers, can be The parks also contain ponderosa and located by a historic site marker buoy on Jeffrey pines, incense cedar, Sierra juniper, the surface; underwater, the barges are and black cottonwood. Along the streams marked with a monument. The historic former grow quaking aspen, alder, willow, mountain site of the Emerald Bay Camp Resort, now the park’s boat camp, has 12 small craft sunk at their moorings: a launch, lapstrake motorboat, sailboat, metal kayak, hard chine fishing boat, and several Y-back rowboats.

NATURAL RESOURCES The grandeur of the parks and their setting came from successive upheavals of the mountain-building processes that raised the Sierra Nevada. Lake Tahoe (from a Washoe word interpreted to mean “edge of the lake”) lies east of the main Sierra crest at more than 6,200 feet elevation. After the mountains rose Recreational opportunities include to the east and west, the lake’s basin was camping, hiking, swimming, boating, completed by glaciers, massive landslides, scuba diving, fishing, and nature and lava seeping from volcanic vents, viewing in a spectacular environment. especially to the north. Twenty primitive campsites are ACCESSIBLE FEATURES reachable by boat. While the parks Parking and restrooms at D.L. Bliss are themselves have no launching facilities, barrier-free; tour videotapes and visual boats can be launched from private guides are available at Vikingsholm. Both facilities about six miles to the north or parks have some wheelchair-accessible south. Scuba diving is allowed in the campsites. Accessibility is improving; for underwater preserve. updates, visit http://access.parks.ca.gov. Visitors can swim at D.L. Bliss State Park’s Lester and Calawee Cove beaches, BEAR ENCOUNTERS at Emerald Bay’s boat camp, and at Never approach a bear! Vikingsholm. Fish for rainbow, brown, and The American black bears that inhabit the Mackinaw trout or Kokanee salmon (a Tahoe region may be colored black, brown, landlocked form of the Pacific sockeye) — cinnamon, or even blonde. Strict regulations all successfully introduced into the lake. protect the bears and can reduce negative All anglers aged 16 and over must carry a encounters between humans and bears. valid California fishing license. For more • Bear-resistant food storage facilities are information or to purchase a license, visit available at park campgrounds. Cars and www.wildlife.ca.gov. coolers are not bear-proof. During the summer, interpretive • All food and refuse, when not actively programs and activities are scheduled. being used or transported, must be stored The Rubicon Trail Lakeview campsite in the bear-resistant for hikers follows the facilities provided. RECREATION scenic lakeshore from • Do not store scented Camping, Water Sports, Hiking Calawee Cove at D.L. Bliss past Vikingsholm items — food, toiletries, or The parks have more than 250 family to Upper Eagle refuse — in vehicles campsites, each with a table, food locker, within campgrounds. Point Campground and stove, plus nearby restrooms and hot at Emerald Bay. The • Food and refuse that showers. Although there are no hookups, trail crosses the lower cannot be stored in bear- some sites at D.L. Bliss will accommodate cascades of Eagle resistant facilities provided trailers up to 15 feet or motor homes up Creek and Eagle Falls. must be discarded in a to 18 feet. Emerald Bay can accommodate Access to the shore of bear-proof dumpster. trailers up to 18 feet or motor homes up to Emerald Bay is limited • If you see a bear in the 21 feet. The D.L. Bliss group campground will to boat and foot traffic. campground, do not run. accommodate up to 50 people, with a limit Be aggressive; assert your of 10 cars. Reserve all campsites by calling dominance by standing tall (800) 444-7275 or visit www.parks.ca.gov. and making loud noises to Black bear cub scare the bear away. • In the woods, respect the bear’s territory. Make eye contact, but don’t stare. Pick PLEASE REMEMBER up small children. Make yourself appear • Hikers must stay on marked trails. as large as possible. Stay calm and quiet; • Smoking is prohibited on trails because back away slowly. Bears will often climb a of fire danger. tree if frightened and usually won’t come down as long as humans are present. • Campfires must be confined to fire rings and stoves provided. Do not gather dead NEARBY STATE PARKS wood, which is recycling back to the earth. • Tahoe State Recreation Area Camp hosts have firewood for sale. ¼ mile east of Tahoe City on Hwy. 28 • All natural and cultural features are (530) 583-3074 (summer only) protected by law and should not be • Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point State Park disturbed, altered, or removed. 10 miles south of Tahoe City on Hwy. 89 (530) 525-7982 • Only trained service animals are • Kings Beach State Recreation Area permitted on trails, on beaches, or in Hwy. 267, Kings Beach on Hwy. 89 the Vikingsholm area. (530) 523-3203 • Except for service animals, dogs are allowed only in campgrounds, not on trails or beaches. Pets must be kept on a six-foot-maximum leash during the day and in an enclosed vehicle or tent at night. Clean up after all pets. • Jumping and diving into the water from shore, rocks, or piers are not permitted.

This park receives support in part through a nonprofit organization. For information contact Sierra State Parks Foundation 1295 North Lake Blvd. P.O. Box 28, Tahoe City, CA 96145 www.sierrastateparks.org

D.L. Bliss visitors at Balancing Rock to Tahoe City Lester Beach (15 Miles) Creek Calawee Rubicon Cove Beach Point

D.L. Bliss Lighthouse/ 80 to Reno 0 1 2 3 4 Mi Rubicon 141-165 Rubicon Trail State Park 0 2 4 6 Km LAKE TAHOE Truckee AREA 28 267 Kings 6600' Beach Group SRA Camp Old Lighthouse Accessible 89 Kings Beach Ridge Viewpoint Carnelian Bay Park Residences Campground Agate il Bay 91-112 a r T

e s Burton Creek SP u Trail o (undeveloped) h 113-130 t h

g i on Balancing Rock L c bi u Tahoe SRA/ Lighthouse Trail R Tahoe City Gatekeeper’s Balancing Rock Museum Nature Trail (self-guided) Sunnyside Lake

6400'

28 NEVADA 28 1-90 Pines Tahoe 50 Campground McKinney CALIFORNIA UNDERWATER Glenbrook Homewood Bay Cove Check-in Station Tahoma Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point SP Meeks Lake Meeks Bay Bay Rubicon Bay Zephyr Tahoe Cove Emerald D.L. Bliss SP Bay 50

Emerald Bay SP PRESERVE 7400' Park Entrance Park Headquarters Cascade 89 South Dogs are allowed only and Visitor Center Lake (c Lake Tahoe lo in campgrounds, not on 7600' s e Service Yard d (closed to public)

trails or beaches. t 8200' o

8000' 7800' p ub Fallen li c) Leaf Lake

Upper Echo Lake Meyers

6800' 7200' 6600' Lower Echo Lake 50 89

D.L. BLISS 1982 AVALANCHE STATE AREA PARK Legend Major Road

7000' Paved Road Unpaved Road

Emerald Point Hiking Trail Eagle Point Underwater Preserve Accessible Feature 15 MPH throughout the entire Campfire Center bay 8400' 8600' d Campground a o R 1982 14-50 Campsites AVALANCHE PATH Caution: Emerald Bay Shallow Water Lower Eagle Point Diving Campground State Park Boat Camp Road Fishing Pier Fire 34-97

ce Group Campground vi er S Mooring Buoys Group Picnic Area Lighthouse Underwater Barge and Buoy Trail EMERALD BAY Locked Gate m Trail ol 1980 sh

g LANDSLIDE n i Emerald STATE PARK e Nature Trail ik PATH V d Parson Rock a c Bay s a Park Building Trail Emerald Bay Overlook Rubicon C Fannette Trail Park Headquarters n o Island 1-33 c Upper Eagle Point Vikingsholm i A b n Tea House Campground Area u c P Parking R h (sightseeing only, o open for day r no camping) Eagle Falls Pier Z use only o Restrooms Picnic Area n (U.S. Forest e Lower E Service) a g Showers le F 15 MPH Park Entrance Eagle all s T throughout Creek Falls ra Swimming il Vikingsholm the entire bay 6600' Eagle Trailhead Visitor Trail n ico Center ub Viewpoint R 1955 LANDSLIDE Waterfall AREA 6400'

7000' © 2008 California State Parks (Rev. 2017)

7200' Bayview Campground 0 0.25 0.5 Miles

(U.S. Forest 6600' Inspiration Point Service) 0 0.4 0.8 Kilometers to 7400' South Lake Tahoe (8 Miles)

7600'