Skunk Harbor (Carson City, Nevada)

 

About 6 miles south of Sand Harbor and about 2.5 miles north of the junction of NV 28 and US 50, there is an locked iron gate with a small pull-off overlooking Lake Tahoe. The gate functions as the trail head for a short little hike down to Skunk Harbor. My friend Nate had discovered this gem and I decided to check it out for myself on this glorious blue-skied day.

The pull-off isn't marked, but can accommodate about 5 cars. Luckily, I got here early enough for that not to be a problem. The trail follows an old dirt road down the mountainside and parallel to the lake. After a short distance, it makes a near ninety degree turn and then heads straight for the blue waters below. The trail itself is easy enough with the standard Lake Tahoe combination of greenery and granite. 

After about a mile and a half, a structure comes into view. It's a stone house with grates over the windows and the doors all boarded up. A plaque on the lake-side of the home explains that it was a retreat built by a wealthy family back in the 1920's, which was only accessible boat at that time. It was apparently the site of many picnics and exclusive parties. Since then, ownership has passed to the forest service, who intend to preserve it as an example of that roaring age. While we should all probably consider the welfare and preservation of this wondrous lake-side environment and leave it pristine, I can certainly understand the appeal of wanting to build here. Awaking every morning to this view would be like heaven on earth.

Exploring the small harbor by scrambling over and around some of the larger granite boulders rising from the clear blue water of the lake, yields some very nice pictures. A series of parallel wooden poles rise from the harbor in two rows. I suspect these were once a pier of some sort for the residence's visitors. Alas, time and the lake have reclaimed the surface, as it will one day reclaim the house itself. All things return to nature in time.

Until this day and after dozens, if not hundreds, of trips to the Lake Tahoe, I am still amazed at the clarity and blueness of it's cold waters. It is truly a site to behold. Snapping a few more pictures, I return uphill to the jeep. It's a little steep going back up, but nothing too terrible. This was a short little 3.2 mile out and back hike, but the scenery and history made it well worth the time.