D.L. Bliss–Emerald Bay State Parks: Rubicon Trail

Adjoining state parks D.L. Bliss and Emerald Bay protect six miles of Lake Tahoe’s shore. Rubicon Trail, a superb shoreline pathway, contours over shady slopes, linking the two parks and offering grand views of what Indians called the “Lake in the Sky.” Even if the parks themselves weren’t so splendidly scenic, they would still attract lots of visitors because they offer something in short supply around Lake Tahoe: public access to the lake. For the tree-loving hiker, Rubicon Trail offers plenty of arboreal companionship. You get the Christmas spirit when you wander through stands of red and white fir. Joining the stately firs are ponderosa pine, Jeffrey pine and incense cedar. “Leaf peepers,” or homesick New Englanders, will enjoy how autumn colors Tahoe’s aspen and maple trees. Not all park flora is a hundred feet tall. Monkeyflower, columbine, lupine and leopard lily are among the wildflowers splashing spring and summer color on park slopes.