By Charlie Pankey, Sierra Rec Magazine
There’s a moment in every Sierra spring where you can feel the season flip—when snow starts melting fast, trailheads begin to peek through, and scenic byways open their gates to exploration. This past weekend was that moment. With Ebbetts Pass reopening Friday and an invite to Clean Up the Lake’s inaugural Polar Plunge in South Lake Tahoe, I packed up for a quintessential Sierra spring sampler: a day that would start in the icy waters of Tahoe and end among roaring creeks and snowbound lakes high on Highway 4.
And let me tell you—it was one of those days that fills your tank and leaves no room for FOMO.
Making a Splash for a Cause in South Lake Tahoe
My day kicked off on Lakeside Beach, where about 60 brave-hearted locals and conservation supporters gathered for a polar plunge fundraiser to support Clean Up the Lake—a group doing real work to protect Tahoe’s waters, one dive and debris sweep at a time.
The water? A brisk 52 degrees. The vibe? Pure stoke.
I waded in up to my belly button, camera in hand, capturing grins, shivers, and some absolutely wild splash entries. There’s something beautiful about watching people voluntarily plunge into near-freezing water for a cause they believe in. The energy was contagious—sunlight bouncing off the waves, voices cheering from the shoreline, kids wrapped in towels and adults in everything from wetsuits to tutus. Tahoe spring energy at its finest.
Glen Alpine Falls: A Roaring, Hidden Gem
From the beach, I dried off, packed up, and set my sights on one of my favorite spring waterfall destinations in the Tahoe Basin: Glen Alpine Falls, tucked behind Fallen Leaf Lake. This stop never disappoints, especially in May.
The drive itself, winding past the still-glassy surface of Fallen Leaf, was a reminder of how close paradise can be. As I approached the falls, the unmistakable roar of snowmelt-fed water met me before the view did—and then suddenly, there it was: a thunderous, multi-tiered cascade pouring over granite, framed by budding green and remnants of snow.
Parking can be tricky here on weekends, but I lucked out with a spot near the top of the falls. I shot a mix of wide angles and close-up video, capturing the sheer power and grace of this natural feature. The mist danced in the sunlight, and visitors stood in quiet awe—or clambered out on rocks for the perfect Instagram moment.
Lily Lake & the Glen Alpine Trailhead: Stillness Before the Melt
Just down the road, Lily Lake was waking up from its winter slumber. The water was glassy, the shoreline dotted with ice remnants. I parked at the Glen Alpine Trailhead, not yet ready for a big hike but eager to see how much snow was still hanging on in the Desolation Wilderness. Spoiler: quite a bit.
The trail beyond Lily Lake had become a stream itself—running with meltwater, cutting across granite, and gurgling past snowbanks. Still, I wandered in a bit with my new Danner trail shoes, picking paths across dry rock and testing the waterproofing through shin-deep trickles. (Spoiler again: they passed the test.) Even without going far, this spot offered a quiet counterpoint to the waterfall chaos—a still Sierra moment, just me and the water, pine trees swaying, and birdsong echoing off the cliffs.
Adventure Shift: Road Trip to Ebbetts Pass
By midday, it was time to shift gears. I rolled down into Carson Valley to scoop up Tom and Jacob for an afternoon of classic Sierra road roaming. Ebbetts Pass (Highway 4) had reopened just days earlier, and we couldn’t wait to see what was accessible—and what was still locked in snow.
The drive from Markleeville up toward the summit never gets old. Silver Creek was raging alongside the road, carving its way down from the still-snowy ridgelines above. Around every bend, the landscape changed—greening valleys, icy lakes, jagged granite faces with the last of winter clinging on.
Pacific Creek & the Cabin: A Hidden Spring Oasis
Just above Hermit Valley, we made an unplanned but completely necessary stop: a small old cabin off the side of the road, sitting quietly at the edge of the forest. Behind it, about 100 yards down a subtle trail, flows one of the Sierra’s underrated treasures—Pacific Creek.
This time of year, Pacific Creek is alive. Really alive.
The granite canyon it cuts through becomes a watercourse of thunder and music—cascades bouncing between moss-covered boulders, snowmelt crashing in waves, and that unmistakable Sierra smell: wet pine, clean air, and cold rock. We wandered along the creek, ducking under trees, listening for the louder spots, climbing down for different vantage points where the water drops sharply before eventually joining the Mokelumne River deep in the canyon below.
This place always feels sacred in spring—raw, wild, and surprisingly untouched despite being a roadside gem.
Mosquito Lakes & the Cape Horn Vista
Back on the road, we climbed higher to check out Mosquito Lakes, where the snow still ruled the scene. Pools of meltwater sat on the ice, shimmering in the afternoon light. No anglers yet, but you can bet chairs will line this roadside in the coming weeks. It’s only a matter of time.
Next stop: Cape Horn Vista, one of the most iconic overlooks in the Central Sierra. Here, the road hugs the cliff’s edge, and the view stretches all the way to Sonora Pass and the Dardanelles, still heavily blanketed in snow. Just below, we caught glimpses of Utica and Union Reservoirs—mostly snow-free and practically calling for paddleboards and kayaks.
Lake Alpine: A Half-Frozen Finale
Our final destination was Lake Alpine, and it delivered a fitting end to the day. The lake was about 50% ice-free, with massive slabs of floating snow drifting in the breeze. We bundled up and took a brisk shoreline walk, watching the wind chase ripples across half-thawed waters. Trails were still under snow, but it didn’t matter. The stillness, the cold air, the promise of summer—it was all there.
Final Thoughts: The Sierra is Waking Up
This kind of day is why I love spring in the Sierra. You can start your morning wading into Lake Tahoe, hit waterfalls and hidden creeks by lunch, and end your day staring down frozen alpine lakes while dreaming of what’s coming next.
South Lake Tahoe is humming again. Ebbetts Pass is open. Waterfalls are exploding. The snow is melting. And the Sierra… she’s ready.
Don’t wait. Fill your days. Wander with intention. And let the season surprise you.
