Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point

Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point State Park Our Mission The mission of California State Parks is to provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. Tahoe, called Da ow a ga by native Washoe people, is termed “Lake of the Sky” for its elevation, depth and exceptional clarity. California State Parks supports equal access. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact the park at (530) 525-7982. This publication can be made available in alternate formats. Contact interp@parks.ca.gov or call (916) 654-2249. CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 For information call: (800) 777-0369 (916) 653-6995, outside the U.S. 711, TTY relay service www.parks.ca.gov Discover the many states of California.™ Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point State Park State Park Road at Hwy. 89 Mail: P.O. Box 266 Tahoma, CA 96142-0266 (530) 525-7982 © 2002 California State Parks (Rev. 2013) L ake Tahoe, at 6,229 feet above sea level, is known for its great depth and clear, exquisitely blue waters. The natural, cultural and recreational diversity of Lake Tahoe rests on a fragile balance, and its ecosystem is aggressively protected by a number of agencies, conservation organizations, state and federal legislatures, and concerned citizens. The largest of the state parks at Lake Tahoe, Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point is 2,000 acres of dense pine, fir, aspen and cedar forests set behind nearly two miles of lake frontage. This is the only Tahoe-area park where camping in the snow (conditions permitting) is part of the lake’s winter experience. Located ten miles south of Tahoe City on the west side of Lake Tahoe, the park’s acreage extends three-and-a-half miles into the U.S. Forest Service’s Desolation Wilderness area. The park’s showpiece is the elegant but rustic 11,000-square-foot Pine Lodge  —  also called the Ehrman Mansion. It is a fine example of the grand, turn-of-the-century summer homes of the well-to-do who began to settle the lake shore in the early 1900s. Here, they could escape their bustling city lives and reconnect, if only temporarily, to the serenity and recreation of the outdoors. Plant communities The canyon floor’s rocky debris was deposited approximately 10,000 years ago by glacier melt. The dense forests consist of white and red firs, incense cedars, Jeffrey and ponderosa pines and the park’s namesake, the sugar pine. Lodgepole pines, quaking aspens, black cottonwood and mountain alders thrive along General Creek. Wildflowers bloom during spring and summer, with Indian paintbrush, Sugar pine cone lupine, columbine, penstemon, several kinds of buckwheat and snowplant among the showiest. The thick shrubbery is mainly composed of green-leaf and pinemat manzanita, squaw carpet, mountain whitethorn, chinquapin and huckleberry oak. Wildlife The Tahoe area is home to many large and small animals. California black bears, tree squirrels, chipmunks, Beechey and golden-mantled ground squirrels, raccoons and coyotes are frequently seen in the campgrounds and other developed areas. Porcupines, pine martens, beavers, bobcats and deer are occasionally spotted in more remote areas of the park. Mallards The bird population includes ospreys, Steller’s jays, juncos, nuthatches, mountain chickadees, flycatchers, goshawks, woodpeckers and western tanagers. Canada geese, mergansers, mallards and kingfishers can usually be spotted near streams and the lake. A fortunate winter visitor might be rewarded with the sight of a bald eagle perched in a tree overlooking the lake. Preservation As the beauty and Black bear grandeur of Lake Tahoe came to the world’s attention, so too did the fragility of its ecosystem. Scientists are continually learning about the lake’s uniqueness and sensitivity. In the face of decades of development, the Lake Tahoe history being written in the 21st century is one of protection and, in some cases, restoration. Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point State Park plays a part in recording this important aspect of human history as well. One example is the creation of the Edwin L. Z’berg Natural Preserve. During your visit, you may also see evidence of various ongoing natural resource management programs. Erosion control, thinning of overcrowded forests, removal of dead trees in high-use areas, prescribed burning, and habitat improvement are a few of the many projects being undertaken to maintain, restore and preserve natural conditions within the park. the first permanent non-native resident on Tahoe’s West Shore. He staked a homestead claim on Sugar Pine Point in the spring of 1860. His first cabin was lost to fire, but his second residence may be visited near the North Boathouse. Settlement of the Tahoe region continued into the 20th century. In 1899 a railway linked Tahoe City with Truckee and San Francisco; by 1915 a road connected all the lakeside communities. Fashionable automobile travel made Tahoe a more accessible destination. During World War II, a lull disrupted the basin economy. Postwar, development resumed while Nevada casinos offered new forms of entertainment in the 1950s. HUMAN HISTORY For thousands of years, Lake Tahoe was brimming with fish, its forests rich with game and edible plants. Drawn to this incredible bounty, the Wa she shu (Washoe) people came to Da ow a ga (edge of the lake) each spring to spend their summers hunting, fishing, feasting, trading, socializing and preparing food for the coming winter. Bedrock mortars and other evidence of the Washoe presence can be found near the lake. The 1859 Comstock Lode silver discovery in nearby Virginia City, Nevada, brought a boom in development and a demand for lumber. By the late 1800s, logging had removed most of the oldgrowth forests from the Tahoe basin, leaving barren hillsides. The logging era gave rise to elegant hotels and family resorts around the lake, including the Bellevue Hotel and Sunshine Post Office, here at Sugar Pine Point. “General” William Phipps, Above: Pine Lodge (Erhman Mansion); a Kentucky frontiersman, was Right: Phipps Cabin The 1960 Winter Olympics were showcased at Squaw Valley, and many of the Nordic events were based around General Creek. Following the Olympics, life around the “Jewel of the Sierra” never returned to its former idyllic serenity. Rampant unchecked development ensued in the 1960s and ‘70s, threatening the fragile ecosystem Some Nordic events in the of the high 1960 Winter Olympics were mountain lake. held here. Pine Lodge (The Ehrman Mansion) In the late 1800s, internationally known West Coast banker Isaias Hellman visited the area on a business trip. The forested mountains reminded him of his native Bavaria, so Hellman purchased property on the promontory known as Sugar Pine Point. Walter Danforth Bliss, a well-known architect of the time, was hired to design a three-story summer home for Hellman. Completed in 1903, Pine Lodge —    built largely of native materials  —  seems to grow out of the landscape itself. It is a Shingle Style California Craftsman home, which refers to the design of enclosed porches and organic expression, with overlapping wood shingles that wrap delicately around the curves and corners of the home’s exterior. Pine Lodge is one of the finer expressions of this uniquely American style of architecture. Hellman’s youngest daughter Florence managed the home for her father and inherited it after his death. After Florence married Sidney Ehrman, an attorney and sports enthusiast, she maintained summer traditions of Pine Lodge. The lodge and its estate were sold to the State of California in 1965. First named Sugar Pine Point State Park, the park was renamed Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point State Park in 2004. You may enjoy many of the same leisure activities as the Pine Lodge guests of yesteryear. While seated on the mansion’s massive front porch overlooking the jewelblue lake, imagine yourself a pampered guest of Florence Ehrman. Tours of the home are offered daily from Memorial Day weekend through late September. A fee is charged for the tours. You will be guided through the foyer, the dining room, the living room  —  restored to its 1903 splendor  —  then up the curved grand staircase to the eight bedrooms on the second floor, past servants’ quarters, down Nighttime snowshoe tour the back staircase, and through what was once a modern and very busy kitchen. DISCOVER THE PARK Nature Center and Gift Shop The Nature Center and gift shop are located in the Tank House. Interpretive displays, hands-on exhibits and a theater help to explain the region’s geology and natural history. The Nature Center’s highlight is a floor-to-ceiling diorama of native wildlife. Natural and cultural history publications, recreational guides, and books are for sale. The center and gift shop are open daily from June through August and on weekends in September. Edwin L. Z’berg Natural Preserve The Dolder Nature Trail circles the preserve named for Edwin L. Z’berg, who served in the California State Assembly. Z’Berg actively promoted such environmental legislation as the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, Tahoe preservation, the Forest Practice Act, and the allocation of grants for the restoration of special habitats. The preserve’s habitat is considered sub-alpine meadow. Junior Ranger Program The self-guided Junior Ranger program offers activities designed for children ages 7 to 12. Its goal is to help children develop an appreciation for their cultural and natural heritage. RECREATION Shady lawns gently slope to the shoreline, providing perfect picnic sites. A pier and miles of beachfront offer swimming and fishing. The Ehrmans’ tennis court is open to the public first-come, first-served. Boats can briefly tie up at the pier to visit the park. In Pine Lodge’s two boathouses, you can see original boats that helped launch early Lake Tahoe boating competitions  —  from racing regattas to rowing  —  that continue today. Trails Lakefront Interpretive Trail  —  Starting at the North Boathouse and following the shoreline to the South Boathouse, this flat, paved trail is a quarter-mile long. Rod Beaudry Trail  —  Beginning east of the Nature Center and the park office (Carriage House) and leading through the forest, this paved trail is 1/2 mile long. Interpretive markers along the way describe the area and its history. The trail ends at the parking lot across Highway 89. Dolder Nature Trail  —  To reach this 11/2mile loop trail, start on the paved Rod Beaudry Trail. The Dolder Trail begins at approximately 1/4 mile and is the first dirt path to the right. The trail leads through mixed forest and circles the Edwin L. Z’Berg Natural Preserve. Along the way it passes the world’s highest  —  in elevation  —  operating maritime navigational light, and gives excellent views of the lake. General Creek Trail  —  This dirt trail is a 6 ½mile loop. The three entrances to this trail are: Left: Watching fish in the crystal clear water; Below: Cross-country skiing is a popular draw at the park. State Park. The map indicates park trails that permit mountain bikes. Please stay on designated riding trails. The campfire center in the campground • Between campsites 147 and 149 • From the Rod Beaudry Trail, cross Hwy. 89 into the campground. The trail follows the General Creek watershed. Lily Pond Trail  — Starting between campsites 147 and 149, follow the unpaved North Fire Road. Stay to the right and do not cross General Creek. When the main road turns into a trail, follow the signs to the right four miles to Lily Pond. The Lily Pond branch can be used to access Desolation Wilderness or Lost Lake on U.S. Forest Service (USFS) lands. Hikers to these farther destinations must obtain USFS wilderness permits and should equip themselves with more specific maps before starting out. • Cycling The paved West Shore Bike Trail begins in Truckee, with bike lanes paralleling Highway 89 and continuing south to Squaw Valley, Tahoe City and Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point Winter Activities The park grooms three crosscountry ski trails and offers ski and snowshoe tours during the winter. Visit the park’s website at www.parks.ca.gov to see winter activity and event schedules. Swimming and Boating Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point State Park’s beach and pier are open to swimmers. Nearby marinas provide boat launching, mooring and rentals. Due to space limitations, boats may not be beached or moored overnight at the park. A boat camp is available at Emerald Bay State Park. Camping The campground has 175 sites and is open throughout the year, conditions permitting. During the winter months, the entry road and parking spaces are cleared of snow. No showers are available in winter. Accessible Features The paved ¼-mile Lakefront Interpretive Trail is flat. General Creek Campground has a paved accessible trail, seven accessible campsites and two accessible restrooms. Picnic areas and the visitor and campfire centers are accessible. Accessibility is continually improving. For updates, visit http://access.parks.ca.gov. Please Remember • All natural and cultural features are protected by law and may not be disturbed or removed. • Lake Tahoe’s waters are extremely cold. Swim with appropriate caution. • Diving and jumping off the pier is not allowed. • Stay on designated trails. • Dogs must be on a leash. They are permitted in the developed areas and on roads and paved trails, but not on naturalsurfaced park trails, beaches or groomed ski trails in winter. • Black bears can smell food and toiletries stored in cars or tents. Use bear-resistant metal lockers for storage, and dispose of trash in latching dumpsters immediately. • Winter conditions at this elevation (6,200 feet) include snowstorms and deep snow packs; temperatures do drop below zero. Nearby State Parks • D.L. Bliss State Park 17 miles south of Tahoe City on Hwy. 89 (530) 525-7277 • Emerald Bay State Park 22 miles south of Tahoe City on Hwy. 89 (530) 541-3030 • Tahoe State Recreation Area In Tahoe City on Highway 28 (530) 583-3074 to Tahoe City Entrance Station GENERAL CREEK CAMPGROUND Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point TAHOMA State Park 89 89 00 st We 64 D ol re Tr l Sho re B ike il Tra Ro d 7400 64 00 au d r y B e il a Tr Creek eneral 660 Cr ee 0 No dogs in winter in ne y il Tra cK 00 Cr e eek Cr M 00 70 ra l Gene Ge ne r No dogs on beaches Trail ek ED Z’BERG al 6600 68 Pine Lodge (Ehrman Mansion) k FOREST No dogs on beaches see detail map below SUGAR PINE POINT o e Ta h 72 00 TA H O E N AT I O N A L Sugar Pine Point Navigational Light e L a k EDWIN L Z’BERG N AT U R A L P R E S E RV E st We see detail map left G tu ai rail eT 1-75 76-125 General Creek No dogs Trail in winter Na er Bik le or e Acc ib ess d Sh 126-175 g Camp Trail nd ro u S TAT E PA R K 68 00 6400 Creek 72 00 Ge 66 L i ly 7000 il Tra 66 Pond ne ra l 6 0 60 00 0.25 0 0.25 68 00 0.75 Kilometers Legend MEEKS BAY 6960 ft Paved Road Hike & Bike Trail Creek 0 00 M Paved Trail s eek Gen eral G 660 Trail C r ee k Creek eneral Rod Beaudry Trail 64 89 Hike Only Trail 00 Bridge Ice House North Boathouse Accessible Trail Phipps Cabin 660 7000 0 Accessible Feature 0 Building Pier Maid’s Cabin 66 00 West Sh o 780 0 660 Soda Springs to San Francisco 80 Truckee Donner Memorial SP 89 267 7000 Tahoe City Lake Tahoe Homewood Meeks Bay D.L. Bliss SP Emerald Bay SP 7000 Carson City 00 66 SUGAR PINE POINT P I C N I C / D AY - U S E A R E A Boat Caretaker’s Cottage Picnic Area Restrooms 64 00 50 680 Showers Swimming 0 © 2003 California State Parks (Rev. 2013) Map by Eureka Cartography, Berkeley, CA Zephyr Cove South Lake Tahoe Meyers 680 7000 D E S O L AT I O N 7200 WILDERNESS 720 0 760 7800 to Sacramento RV Sanitation Station 00 7200 0 50 No Dogs 0 0 Strawberry Nature Trail 660 Pollock 00 Pines 89 Locked Gate South Boathouse 7400 0 740 Group Campground Rubicon Group Picnic Area Bay Lighthouse 6400 Eldorado National Forest 28 Campsite Numbers Parking 395 Kings Beach SRA Tahoe SRA Campground 00 Creek 89 28 68 431 760 0 Tahoe National Forest 72 s Tahoe Vista Burton Creek SP 780 to Reno CA NV 80 89 Entrance Station 0 ek Me 7200 64 7400 E L D O R A D O N AT I O N A L F O R E S T Children’s House Children’s House Tennis Court Tennis Courts ront Lakef ive Trail pret Inter 7000 Campfire Center Pine Lodge (Ehrman Mansion) Carriage House Park Office r e Bike Tr ail 7600 Butler’s Cabin Nature Center/ Gift Shop 6400 7200 7600 0.5 Miles 0.5 Meeks Bay 00 Lily Pond 7 0 89 0 7400 70 to South Lake Tahoe 00 89