298 



Sierra Club Bulletin 



breakfast I skied up toward Fallen Leaf Lake and had some splen- 

 did slides on the moraines. The views of the snow-covered moun- 

 tains, Tallac and its neighbors, were glorious. The Job group, and 

 the ranges across the lake too, were resplendent in their winter cos- 

 tume. Never in summer had the lake seemed quite so wonderful in 

 its shades of blue as it did this sparkling winter morning — ultra- 

 marine, sapphire, and emerald set in frosted silver. 



The steamer arrived at eleven and the trip to Tahoe City was 

 made by half-past two. Every mile opened up new and enchanting 

 vistas of snow and forest a.nd peaks. Tahoe City was like a deserted 

 village buried in snow. One or two houses were occupied, however, 

 and accommodation for the night Vv^as secured at the home of Mr. 

 Schmidt, the genial boarding-house-keeper of the place in winter. 

 Leaving my pack and camera, I traveled down the Truckee Canon a 

 mile or two and climbed the ridge to the east of the river. The snow 

 was deep and in fine condition for skis, and the views through the 

 forest out over the lake in the late afternoon were superb. As the sun 

 set, the eastern crest. Mount Rose, and the Job group were all tinted 

 in brilliant tones of shell-pink, while the lake and lower forest were 

 deep blue against the pale blue and lavender of the shaded snow. 

 Lighted by a few flaming cloud-banners, I had an exhilarating slide 

 down the ridge, through the forest to the lake shore, and to the deli- 

 cious supper which Mrs. Schmidt had prepared. During supper the 

 wind came up fresh from the southwest and blew a half-gale all 

 night. 



Wednesday morning broke with a sunrise as brilliant as the sun- 

 set of the night before. Long cloud-banners were blowing through 

 the passes from the west, giving warning of an impending storm. 

 The snow was excellent, however, and the way down the Truckee 

 Caiion comfortably level. In the valley bottom there was little wind, 

 but above on the ridges the trees were bending and thrashing in it. 

 By nine o'clock fine snow was falling and soon the distant view was 

 blotted out by the storm. The temperature rose and the soft fresh 

 snow grew sticky and clinging. Nevertheless, the sixteen miles to 

 Truckee were quite the easiest of the trip, and were covered in six 

 hours of easy going. Before the town was reached about ten inches 

 of fresh snow had fallen, and the whole world, trees and all, were 

 covered with a spotless mantle. 



If one can wait for his weather, under shelter while it is unfavor- 



