The road over the Sierras (Highway 50) passes throgh barren, inhospitable mountain territory.

The explorers John Fremont and Kit Carson discovered Lake Tahoe in 1844. The Washoe Indians had used the area for centuries as a gathering place and the lake held for them a special spiritual significance.

The first West-to-East road across the Sierra mountains and through the Lake Tahoe region (originally called the "Bonanza Road," and now Highway 50) was built to accommodate the gold prospectors from the west wanting to exploit the Comstock Lode discovered in 1859 in Virginia. Wood was needed for fuel and to support the roofs of mines being constructed around and under Virginia City and Tahoe's forests were almost destroyed in the quest for timber.

By 1900 homes, holiday shacks and hotels were being constructed around the lake, and steamships had been introduced to deliver mail and supplies and to provide transport for visitors. Roads through the mountains were improved during the 1920s and 1930s further increasing traffic to and around the lake.

Intense development followed in the 1950's. The 1960 Winter Olympics were held at Squaw Valley and Lake Tahoe came to be regarded as a prime skiing centre. The hotels and casinos, particularly on the southern part of the lake's rim, today attract thousands of guests each year but the quiet scenic areas are still easily accessible.

Paddle steamships call at various destinations around the lake.

Western rim waterfall, overlooking the lake.