Then and now: Road used to go through meadow
A road used to run through this South Shore meadow. Photo/Lake Tahoe Historical Society
Before there was an officially-routed and designated Highway 50 at South Shore, there were various unpaved other roads. One such road ran along the shoreline from Stateline toward Tahoe Valley in the early 1900s, part of which became today’s Lakeview Avenue.
It traversed the Upper Truckee marsh area where Mt. Tallac is visible behind Tahoe Mountain.
This is the same meadow in 2014. Photo/Bill Kingman
Remnants of the old bridge remain today. Photo/Bill Kingman
That long-gone road crossed the Upper Truckee River in mid-meadow and connected to what is today’s Washington Street (the Dunlap Ranch). The concrete and wood remnants of the bridge can be visited today via an easy and scenic walking trail starting at the Sunset Avenue cul de sac next to the river.
— Bill Kingman
Just be sure to stay clear of the Dunlap’s property. They recently blocked off part of what has long been this trail. Sad considering that what is apparently their property is also the most trashed part of the river. My kids and I were through that section a couple times a week picking up bags of trash. The rest of the trail is pristine. Guess I’ll just have to wait until it all floats down to our section now.
Sorry to hear that, Trail Enthusiast. We lived on Washington for years, used to walk that trail several times a week. It was REALLY a nice little walk. Had to keep the dogs leashed at all times because of the coyotes in there, but they loved taking a dip in the river while we’d wade. It was a perfect loop around, and always clean. Back then.
Speaking of Hwy 50…
I recently looked at some 1940 era Div of Highways (CalTrans) documents for the construction of the current alignment of Hwy 50. The documents refer to the “Y” as Mays Junction. Additionally, the CalTrans traffic camera at the “Y” is labeled Mays Junction.
Does anyone know the story behind Mays Junction?
Lee Vestal
Historic Sites Chair
Lake Tahoe Historical Society
followed the remnant of the road out of altahoe one day