Eagle Falls & Eagle Lake Trail - Lake Tahoe

This week we’re heading to Tahoe for an incredibly beautiful adventure, but we’re not heading to Lake Tahoe…we’re heading to Eagle Lake and Eagle Falls along the way. Come join me!

Lower Eagle Falls

While we’re heading to Eagle Lake, the parking area and trailhead are located just steps from Lower Eagle Falls, which is just across Highway 89. I would definitely recommend giving yourself a little extra time to enjoy these stunning views of Emerald Bay from above before heading out on your hike (or just plan a quick stop here if you’re short on time and hiking the Eagle Falls/Eagle Lake trail isn’t an option).

Views of Emerald Bay and Fannette Island from Lower Eagle Falls

Eagle Falls Trailhead

Paid parking is available off Highway 89 at the Eagle Falls Picnic Area & Trailhead. There’s also spillover parking at the Emerald Bay Lookout & Vikingsholm Trailhead only a few hundred yards away. If you’re heading past Upper Eagle Falls to Eagle Lake (or beyond), make sure to pick up your free and required Desolation Wilderness permit at the trailhead.

Eagle Falls Trail

The hike to Upper Eagle Falls is relatively mild at just over 1/2 a mile. The trail starts off heading southwest for a 1/4 mile when you reach a steep & narrow stone carved staircase built right into the natural rock wall. This is a short climb and soon you can hear the water roaring. In another 1/4 mile you will arrive at the actual falls and the Upper Eagle Falls Footbridge.

Enjoy the majestic mountain views here and the clear pools above the falls. In the Summer months people wade and explore here, but please use extreme caution around any body of water and the waterfalls…there have been dire consequences when people misjudge the dangers of the calm looking water above. I for one have never entered the water here even in the dryer Fall months. There are benches to sit and enjoy nature here, and this makes for an easy adventure with rewarding wonderful views. While many people turn around here, even more epic Tahoe beauty awaits if you continue on the trail.

The view from the Upper Eagle Falls Footbridge

Eagle Lake Trail

Once you’ve had your fill of waterfall fun, keep heading up the trail. Less than 1/2 a mile past Upper Eagle Falls, you’ll reach a slight fork in the path…keep right for the Eagle Lake Access Trail. It’s less than a one mile hike from Upper Eagle Falls to Eagle Lake, but you’ll find incredibly impressive views all along your journey…from scrambling along granite rocks and looking up at the towering mountains to strolling under the shade of the giant evergreen trees, you won’t want to rush this hike.

Eagle Lake

As the lake views open up along your final push to Eagle Lake, you’ll see why this is such a loved and popular local trail. Reaching this back country lake gives you a true feeling of being out in the wilderness without a demanding or multi-day journey. The alpine waters are too cold for me to dip my toes in, but a strong swimmer could certainly make it out to the lake’s small island on a warm Summer day.

Know Before You Go

• This trail is most popular in Summer/Fall months. Winter conditions such as ice & snow would definitely require poles, snow cleats, etc.

• If you’re heading past the Upper Eagle Falls bridge, you must pick up a Desolation Wilderness permit at the trailhead before heading out on your hike.

• This area can get very busy in the Summer, and parking lots can completely fill up by mid morning…so consider planning your trip in Spring/Fall, or early in the morning on a weekday to beat the crowds and find an open parking spot. (This post is from a mid-week sunrise hike in August, and the trail was fairly empty until mid morning)

• While the hike to Eagle Lake is short at just over 2 miles round trip less than 500 ft in elevation gain, the high altitude and uneven terrain can make this a more challenging hike for anyone only used to gentle day hikes at lower elevations.

Lake Tahoe Points of Interest

• Cave Rock
• Emerald Bay & Inspiration Viewpoint
• Vikingsholm
• Emerald Bay State Park
• Glen Alpine Falls
• Fallen Leaf Chapel
• Tallac Historic Site
• Sand Harbor Beach
• Bonsai Rock & Whale Rock
• D. L. Bliss State Park

In Summary & Behind the Blog Video

Thanks for joining me this week in Tahoe and for a virtual visit to Eagle Falls and Eagle Lake. Make sure to check out my Behind the Blog YouTube video below. Until next week I hope you find adventure and encouragement wherever you go.

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