About Lake Tahoe - Hiking - Glen Alpine Falls

Glen Alpine Creek and Falls

The Vitals: Elevation change 60 feet (lower falls)
click here for topo map click here for the Glen Alpine Falls Gallery

Located just past Fallen Leaf Lake on the road to the Glen Alpine trailhead you will pass by lower Glen Alpine falls. These are a beautiful set of waterfalls dropping about 60 feet down large dark boulders into a narrow canyon. There is no hiking necessary although you should bring your driving skills. There are overlooks both below and above the falls for viewing, and even enough room for small weddings, which are quite popular here. While there is limited parking at the falls, I would recommend parking near the fire station and bridge over the creek, and then hiking up to the falls. It is short and quite beautiful. The creek above the falls up to Lily Lake is also quite beautiful, with numerous deep rock gorges. This creek can run dry, or close to it, pretty early in the season. Looking through the photo gallery you can notice the difference between early June and late June, although the larger flow was also in a bigger snow year.

Directions from South Lake Tahoe-
Take Highway 50 (Lake Tahoe Blvd.) west to the 'Y' and turn right on to Highway 89. After you pass Camp Richardson look for Fallen Leaf Lake road on your left. Follow Fallen Leaf Lake Road all the way to the back of the lake and turn left onto road 1216 immediately after passing the fire station. The creek and falls will be on your right.

For weddings.