How to Hike to Rubicon Point Lighthouse at Lake Tahoe, California
Nowhere is there a bad view of Tahoe. Whether from a resort's chairlift or the top floor of a Nevada casino, the vibrant blue that reflects the bordering mountains is equivalent to anything the Swiss have to offer. That stated, the slopes and casinos can get crowded, and even the picturesque Emerald Bay sometimes has the ability to back up traffic for hours. There is, however, a solution for Lake Tahoe solitude just north of the bay at D.L. Bliss State Park. There a trailhead allows access to Rubicon Point at its dilapidated lighthouse.
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Things You'll Need
- Map of California, good hiking boots, insect repellent, sunscreen, water, camera
Instructions
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Make reservations at any number of lodging choices around the lake. Prices vary. The casinos on the Nevada shore are always offering enticements.
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Visit Tahoe during the short summer season. The Rubicon Lighthouse Trail will be treacherous at best in the winter. Avoid the summer crowds for an autumn hike. Tahoe is beautiful in the fall. Decide on an early morning hike during the weekday. Though the hike may be chilly, this early departure will beat any other visitors to the lighthouse by several hours. Others won't arrive until late morning or afternoon.
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Locate South Lake Tahoe on the map of California. Follow around to the west past Emerald Bay to D.L. Bliss State Park. Stop at the Visitor Center to inquire about trail conditions and inclement weather; also get a trail map. Take Lester Beach Road off U.S. Highway 89 north to the Rubicon Lighthouse Trailhead. There is a parking area.
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Hike the relatively short, but steep trail. There are many vistas offering great views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Stay on constant lookout for the lighthouse. It is located off the trail and slightly down a ridge. There are no specific markings or signs identifying its location.
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Alter the general perception of a lighthouse. Rubicon Lighthouse is small and wooden, not the expected towering stucco cylinder with a sizable beacon found on the world's coastlines. Many liken Rubicon to a shack or outhouse. While in use, however, it has served its purpose.
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Take the spur trail to the lighthouse but note that the California State Park Service has secured access to the entrance. Visitors should find the lighthouse a fitting structure for Tahoe. Considering the size of the lake's watercraft, a larger lighthouse would be unnecessary. It also would obstruct the natural beauty of the surroundings.
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