Monday, January 20, 2020

Upper Truckee Marsh - El Dorado County, California


On 10/19/2019 Jeff and I visited four California lakes and reservoirs on this day and we had a fun time adventuring in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. It was nice to witness the fall leaves changing colors. We witnessed nice Fall color changes near Carson Pass and ventured to South Lake Tahoe and stopped at the Truckee Marsh. Not much water to see this time of year, but interesting and beautiful in it's own way! The Upper Truckee Marsh of South Lake Tahoe, California, is a 220 surface acre small wetland area, located where Trout Creek and the Upper Truckee River flow into Lake Tahoe.  The Truckee River continues from the northwest shore of the lake in Tahoe City via the Californian town of Truckee to Reno/Sparks and finally flows into Pyramid Lake, Nevada.  The Upper Truckee Marsh sits at 6,225 feet above sea level which is the same elevation as Lake Tahoe.

The Upper Truckee Marsh ecosystem is managed by the California Tahoe Conservancy. Unique populations of plant and animal life in this fragile environment deserve to be protected by and for local residents and visitors.

The Upper Truckee Marsh is located north of Lake-Tahoe Boulevard between Al Tahoe and Tahoe Keys. It is surrounded by patches of pine forest, a harbor and residential areas from where it can be accessed at different points such as the corner at which Macinaw Road, Springwood Drive and Rubicon Trail intersect.  






Upper Truckee Marsh Trailhead -  Interesting fact that this Marsh is the largest remaining wetland in the Sierra Nevada. Nice 1.5 mile hike to Lake Tahoe. Dogs welcome on a leash of course, and it is your duty to pick up their dooty!  Check before you go with your dog on the trail because dogs are not allowed certain times of the year due to nesting birds, etc.