Emaerald Bay Walk

Sponsored by the Tahoe Trail Trekkers, the Emerald Bay walk started with a beautiful view
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of the mouth of Emerald Bay as it opens into Lake Tahoe. Walking down the Rubicon Trail, you got views of Fayette Island in Emerald Bay, with mountains in the background. The trail headed slowly downhill with more views of pines and mountains. for You had to be careful beacuse in places boulders had rolled down the hills and the trail had to go around or between them. Spotted all along the trail were bright red Snow Plants. These unusual plants have no chlorophyll and only grow in certain locations. The trail ran along a bridge over the fast running water of Lower Eagle Falls. After crossing the bridge over the falls, the walk continued to the Visitor's Center, beach and Vikingsholm. Vikingsholm is one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture in the western hemisphere. Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight purchased the property encompassing the head of Emerald Bay and Fannette Island in 1928 for $250,000. Trees were cut for their size and lack of knots, and the granite for the foundation and walls was quarried from behind the house. The ideas for the construction came from buildings dating as far back as the 11th century. Some sections of the home contain no nails, pegs, or spikes. One of the interesting architectural designs is the sod roof which covers both the north and south wings of the complex. Tours were available for a small fee. The walk continued past Vikinsholm on the other side of the bay. Paths were cut through fallen trees, or at times, you had to climb over them. The sight-seeing stern wheeler could be see through the trees as it went around the bay. A happy sight was the AVA Turn-around point sign.

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