hiking
Freel Peak
Freel Peak (Washo: dewgulum dakʔak[3]) is a mountain located in the Carson Range, a spur of the Sierra Nevada, near Lake Tahoe in California.
The peak is on the boundary between El Dorado County and Alpine County; and the boundary between the Eldorado National Forest and the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.[4] At 10,886 feet (3,318 m) it is the tallest summit in the Carson Range, El Dorado County and the Tahoe Basin.[2] Due to its elevation, most of the precipitation that falls on the mountain is snow.[5]
In 1893, the U.S. Geological Survey assigned the name Freel Peak to what was then known as Jobs Peak. James Freel was an early settler in the area.
Star Lake Trail
From High Meadow Trail the trail to Star Lake meanders through the tall pines. At this vantage point you can get a glimpse of Lake Tahoe through the trees.
Odd Trees by the Lake
If you’ve visited this blog a few times, you’ll see that I have a fondness for trees and lakes. I have even more fondness for odd trees by a lake shore 😉
Star Lake
There is this tiny alpine lake that my family has been visiting for years. Star Lake is at 9200′ and surrounded by some of the highest peaks in the Tahoe Basin.
Sentinels of the Lake
These trees remind me of sentinels standing guard over the lake.
What Happened Here?
On the west shore of Scotts Lake there were these tree stumps. Only a few of the trees are cut but the rest of them look as if they were broken off. The lines on the trunks are watermarks from the lake. What happened here?!?
Stump
I thought this old stump was really cool. It looks as if it wants to say something… or tell a story
Trees at Scotts Lake
I’m not sure of the history at Scotts Lake but there were several downed trees all along the shoreline. In a normal water year, I suspect that the tree stumps are submerged and provide the fish and other wildlife in the lake some shelter.
Scotts Lake
The Tahoe Basin has many lakes in the region. This is Scotts Lake which is accessible by an old jeep trail off of Hwy 88 near Hope Valley. The yellow foliage is Rabbit Bush along the shore.
Drought Effect on Crater Lake
From a higher vantage point you can see how the drought effects Crater Lake.
Snapshots by Kats 