Paddling on Lake Tahoe can take some patience
By Kathryn Reed
It’s not the Boundary Waters, but canoeing on Lake Tahoe can be fun – even if it means taking deep breaths while some guy on a Jet Ski spins in circles close to our canoe. Unfortunately, the choppy water and deafening noise made me briefly forget I was in one of the most magical outdoor playgrounds.
Only during this episode did I long to be on the lakes of Minnesota where motorized watercraft are not allowed. Maybe it’s time to plan a visit to see my sister and paddle a few days with her. Or maybe it’s time for law enforcement in Tahoe to crackdown on violators like this.
Sue Wood cruises along Lake Tahoe. Photos/Kathryn Reed
The speed limit on Lake Tahoe for all vessels is 5mph 600 feet or closer to the shore.
With Tahoe’s push to be welcoming to paddlers, encounters like the one Sue and I experienced would deter a lot of people from returning.
Gliding across Lake Tahoe one stroke at a time, it was part scenic tour, part architectural tour as our 17-foot canoe took us from Timber Cove Pier to Tahoe Shores to Edgewood Tahoe back to our starting point.
It was another tough Sunday living and playing in Lake Tahoe.
Meandering along it was the echoes of people having fun that resonates most – not that yahoo on his personal watercraft. Many are on shore, but more are out in the water. Several wave as they paddle by in kayaks. Some are too wobbly on paddleboards let go long enough to wave. One person is swimming, oblivious to those who are dry.
It was a bit disconcerting that no one stopped us at Timber Cove to ask what body of water our canoe was last in. (It was the Upper Truckee River in case anyone wants to know.) The concern is because of possibly transporting aquatic invasive species into Lake Tahoe. Signs are posted at other non-motorized launches about what paddlers should do – but not here.
Paddling toward Nevada, one gets an architectural tour to start with. Some lovely houses sit back not far from the shore.
Various lodging resorts dot the shore. With the snow-capped mountains all around, it’s a reminder this really is a year-round destination.
Photographers are busy snapping pictures of wedding parties at Edgewood and Timber Cove.
The farther we paddle, the quieter and less congested it gets. That won’t necessarily be the case this week as Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course hosts the annual celebrity golf tournament.
After turning around near Tahoe Shores, we paddled back the short distance to Edgewood. It was a fitting place to get a cocktail and appetizer before heading for Timber Cove Pier. We didn’t care we were the only ones dressed in lifejackets at Brooks Sports Bar.
Something to remember is California and Nevada have different rules for accessing private land. In the Golden State, the public has access to land that is below the high water mark – so that’s quite a bit right now. In the Silver State, landing on a private beach is equivalent to trespassing.
The Lake Tahoe Water Trail is a great resource for paddling at Tahoe. The website has information about memberships and trail maps.
Thanks Kae; great story and pics.
I spent yesterday at Burnside Lake. A much smaller and much quieter mountain lake just a short drive from home. I was the only kayak on the lake where motorized boats are prohibited. One fisher-dude and one family made up the entire population enjoying the scenery.
Love it up here!
Kae, thanks so much for this insightful story about paddling on Lake Tahoe. I love getting out on the lake and exploring the shoreline, enjoying the sounds of nature and looking down through the clear water below me. It’s a great experience. If only the power boaters and jet skiiers would respect the shoreline speed limits and be mindful of us paddlers. Respecting each other is a key part to sharing this grand jewel of the sierra. Like Julie, I often opt for the smaller and quieter bodies of water that surround us.
Dennis when you can afford 500 plus double screws turning the water, on a huge body of water you understand the other thrill.
Lewis ans Clark would loved the up river travel.
There’s plenty lakes close by to drag your canoe, where there’s no power boats.
The basic respect of the speed limits and no wake areas are inadequate on Tahoe. Unfortunately, the law needs to step up their enforcement.
It’s a huge lake, there is plenty of space far away from the shore to go fast.
You are welcome to paddle with us in MN.
The best times to paddle on the lake is in the morning before 11:00am when the power boats and winds start to increase, and after 6:00pm when most of the boat traffic has slowed down. Usually there are a few hardy water skiers but otherwise it is pretty quite. The evening paddles are a great way to end the day. Also stay close to shore unless you have a flag or some other signal device that will make you more visible.