Rubicon Trail in the Rain (El Dorado County, California)

 

Once again, rain has been forecast for most of the immediate area around Reno, but once again, I refuse to let it prevent me from my wanderlust adventures. Meeting up with my friends Linda and Cassie, we make our way up Highway 50 towards Lake Tahoe. This will be Linda's first visit to the late since moving to the area a little over a year ago. While we all know that Tahoe is sunny most of the time, today is pretty overcast. Still, I think she will enjoy the view. 

We drive through South Lake Tahoe and head up to the Vikingsholm parking lot to start a trail I have been trying to do for a couple of months. The Rubicon Trail, not to be confused with the famous 4x4 trail, is a 4.5ish mile trail that traverses the perimeter of Emerald Bay and heads up Tahoe's shoreline towards D.L. Bliss State Park. As we descend down the switchbacks to lake level, Linda expresses concerns with coming back up, but we offer encouragement and continue on.

Arriving at the shoreline, we are faced with multiple forks in the trail, as it meanders in and amount Vikingsholm and the Emerald Bay Boat Campground. Navigation isn't terrible and we quickly find our way. All the while admiring Fannette Island and it's tea house in the center of the bay. What a remarkable structure.

Continuing on, Linda comments on the blueness of the water, to which Cassie and I voice our agreement. It is what Tahoe is known for after all. We make our way across the point and start the final two miles of the trail, only to meet rain turning to small hail. Luckily, we had all packed accordingly and retrieve our rain gear from our respective packs. After some discussion, we decide to turn back towards the car in case the storm gets any worse. 

Luckily as we arrive back at Vikingsholm, the clouds part and the sun begins to shine through once again. We rest for a short time and admire the mansion before heading back up the series of switchbacks towards the car. All in all, we only knocked out a little over six and a half miles, but the views make it all worth while. I plan to try this trail again later in the summer when this persistent overcast and rain shower weather finally depart.