Lower Glen Alpine Falls - Lake Tahoe
If you’re familiar with Tahoe, then you already know it’s home to some pretty incredible waterfalls…and today we’re hiking over, under, and all around one of my favorite hidden Tahoe waterfalls...Welcome to Lower Glen Alpine Falls!
Glen Alpine Falls isn’t the largest or tallest waterfall in Tahoe by any means, but it is certainly one of the most easily accessible. You would be hard pressed to call the short path to the water a true “hike”, but that doesn’t make these falls any less enjoyable or spectacular.
Seasons
Well before Summer arrives, Glen Alpine Springs and the snow fed creek roar as water blasts down the 70+ ft fall. As a result, in Springtime you’ll definitely want to view the beautiful raging water safely from above. By August, the snow melt is complete gone, and if you’re up for a small scrambling adventure, you can hike down below the falls and actually climb up this waterfall, safely keeping to the dry patches and following the water’s path up to the falls. Often as seasonal waterfalls dry up in Autumn, they hold less appeal…but Glen Alpine Falls offers the opportunity to hop from rock to rock exploring for hours. Although this area can dry to a trickle by October, I’ve never seen it go completely dry. I’m sure this would be a magnificent spot to see in the snowy season, but Fallen Leaf Road does not have snow clearing in the Winter, so I can’t imagine trying to drive here then.
Getting Here
Located less than a half hour from Highway 89, you can reach Glen Alpine Falls by turning onto the narrow one lane Fallen Leaf Road for just over 3 miles. It’s important to drive carefully and respectfully here. You may encounter bicyclists and hikers on this true one lane road…so go slow. The road is not cleared of snow in the Winter, so this is a drive best taken in the Spring through Fall. Once you reach the local fire station and Fallen Leaf Chapel you’re almost to your destination. The parking area is very small, but often empty, making this waterfall a great place to relax and enjoy the beautiful sights and sounds of nature around you. You can see the falls from the side of the road, but the short walk to the rocks above will take five minutes at most, and it takes less than a minute to walk down to the lower viewing point (though the gravel path is uneven and a bit steep in a few spots).
Know Before You Go
• Avid hikers can enjoy the nearby Glen Alpine Trail for almost 7 miles of wonderful hiking.
• Wilderness Permits are required to explore here (you can pick one up at the self service area at the trailhead)
• Overnight backpackers must obtain multi-day passes at Recreation.gov
• This is one of the more secluded spots in Tahoe if you’re looking to escape the crowds. Near by Fallen Leaf Lake is also more quiet than Lake Tahoe during the busy Summer months.
• If you plan on scrambling down to explore the waterfall up close, bring good footwear as many rocks are slippery and unstable.
• Please be considerate of the Leave no Trace Principles to help keep this place wild and beautiful.
Tahoe Points of Interest
• Cave Rock
• Emerald Bay & Inspiration Viewpoint
• Vikingsholm
• Emerald Bay State Park
• Glen Alpine Falls
• Fallen Leaf Chapel
• Tallac Historic Site
• DL Bliss State Park
• Sand Harbor Beach
• Bonsai Rock & Whale Rock
• Eagle Falls & Eagle Lake
In Summary & Behind the Blog Video
Whether you come in the Spring to view the raging snow fed falls from above, or you wait until the Autumn leaves start to change colors so you can rock hop and explore, Lower Glen Alpine Falls makes a wonderful stop in Tahoe. For more information see my Behind the Blog video below…and until next week, I hope you find adventure and encouragement wherever you go.
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