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2010 Family Nature Summit - Sierra Nevada
 Lake Tahoe is a unique and beautiful national treasure that belongs to a truly one-of-a-kind environment. There really is no other “Lake Tahoe” on Earth. With its extraordinarily blue water set like a jewel in the mountains, this environment exists virtually without peer. Lake Tahoe’s incredible clarity has long been a subject of discussion and awe among tourists and scientists alike.
The region beckons visitors to explore the Tahoe Rim Trail, fish the Carson River, bike on Peavine Mountain, backpack into the Mount Rose Wilderness, hike the Donner Rim Trail, or boulder in the Desolation Wilderness. The destinations are globally famous – the vistas, waters and forests, spectacular.
The 2010 Summit was a huge success. We hiked, kayaked, birded, crafted, climbed, served, learned, and fell in love with a beautiful place.
About the Sierras: Natural Setting
The U.S. Forest Service has worked diligently to acquire and manage approximately 77% of the land around Lake Tahoe. This includes the Tahoe National Forest, which straddles the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountains in northern California, and encompasses a vast territory, from the golden foothills on the western slope to the high peaks of the Sierra crest. This Forest is bordered on the north by the Plumas National Forest, on the south by the Eldorado National Forest, on the east by the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forests and Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit.
About the Sierras: Wildlife
The Lake Tahoe Basin is home to over 290 animals and more than 1,000 plant species. Currently, 308 species of California wildlife are listed on the official endangered species list. This includes Tahoe residents such as the Sierra Red Fox, Grizzly Bear, Lahontan Cutthroat Trout and the Mountain beaver.
About the Sierras: History
Lake Tahoe boasts a rich and colorful historical past. It has been a gathering place for ancient peoples for over 4,000 years. The Washo Indians had been gathering at its shores for centuries when American explorers Kit Carson and John Fremont came upon it in 1844. The Lake Tahoe Basin was a summer gathering place for three tribes of these peaceful Indians, who considered the Lake to be a spiritual site and conducted sacred ceremonies on the South Shore.
By the 1860s, silver was discovered in the Sierra Nevada. Fortunes seekers scurried to the Lake Tahoe area during the California Gold Rush, hoping to strike it rich as the massive Comstock Lode discovered in 1859 in nearby Virginia City, Nevada. Would-be miners rushed to Lake Tahoe over northerly Beckworth Pass and Donner Pass, site of the famous wagon train tragedy.
About the Sierras: Hiking
Well-known trails such as the Pacific Crest Trail, Tahoe Rim Trail and American Discovery Trail, form the “hub” of a regional trail system that welcomes hikers of all levels. These trails, and the rivers and lakes that flow through the region, form the basis of one of the most spectacular outdoor recreation areas in the West. From a Lake elevation of approximately 6,200 feet, the ridges and trails rise to peaks as high as 10,800 feet with spectacular views in all directions.
About the Sierras: Birding
Mount Tallac at 9,735 feet and nearby Taylor Creek provide a marvelous habitat for specialty birds, such as Blue Grouse, Pygmy Nuthatch, Osprey, Western Tanager, Calliope Hummingbird, and in the winter, Bald Eagle.
Numerous woodpeckers, such as the Hairy Woodpecker and the White-headed Woodpecker, can be seen, along with a wide variety of terns, sparrows, warblers and finch.
About the Sierras: Adventure
Eagle Creek Canyon near Emerald Bay at Lake Tahoe has 75 climbable feet for climbers of all skill levels, including the novice climber. Kayaking and other adventures await us, as well!
Examples of Planned Activities
• Daily hikes of varied lengths and difficulties
• Daily guided bird walks
• Classes on nature photography
• Geology field trip of Donner Pass
• visits by Karelian bear dogs used in black bear relocations;
• night-time owl walks (six species roam the area);
• fen / bog walks to observe carnivous plants;
• wildfire studies in the nearby Angora burn area;
• tubing and aquatic bug collecting in the Truckee River;
• fishery studies in Lake Tahoe (native vs. non-native trout);
• history and geology of nearby Donner Pass;
• mountain lion tracking with Yellowstone's pre-eminent expert;
• examinations of river restoration following dam removals;
• walks through lush alpine meadows above the timberline;
• wetland explorations via kayak
About the Sierras: Our Site
Summiteers will stay at Granlibakken Resort and Conference Center. The resort is located on the California side, in the northwest area of the lake. Their facilities include:
- tennis courts
- swimming pools
- scenic hiking
- Sierra Challenge Ropes Course
- Olympic Par Course, a 1.2 mile course designed to increase endurance, flexibility, strength and agility - the exercises combine principles of many fitness practices
About the Sierras: Nearby Attractions
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Where: Granlibakken Resort, on Lake Tahoe. The resort is located on the California side, in the northwest area of the lake.
When: July 5-11, 2010 - the first Family Nature Summit to start on a Monday afternoon and end on a Sunday morning
Why: Enjoy the Outdoors, Learn About Nature, Become Inspired - Fostering Thoughtful Stewardship of the Earth
The 2010 Flier is still available. You can share the flier with friends and at community events if they want to learn about past Summits.
See the full size 2010 Summit flier.
Here is the high resolution PDF of the flyer (2 Mb in size). It is designed so that if you print it on two-sided paper, you get two flyers.
If you'd like to forward the flyer in an email, download this low resolution jpg of the flyer (500 Kb) in size and attach it to an email.
The 2011 Summit flier is ready! Email info@familysummits.org for printed copies of this year's flier or business cards.
Facts about Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is located on the border between California and Nevada. The Summit is located on the California side.
- The average depth of the lake is 1,000 feet. It is the second deepest lake in the United States after Crater Lake in Oregon.
- The lake has a clarity of about 71 feet deep.
(Source: USGS)
- Lake Tahoe is the highest lake of its size in the United States and the largest alpine lake in North America.
- Lake Tahoe is 22 miles long and 12 miles wide.
(Source: VirtualTahoe.com)
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