A Day At Valhalla LbNA #11266
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Nearby Boxes
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Add Location| Owner: | Adoptable |
|---|---|
| Plant date: | Oct 1, 2004 |
| Location: | |
| City: | South Lake Tahoe |
| County: | El Dorado |
| State: | California |
| Boxes: | 4 |
| Planted by: | artTrekker  |
|---|---|
| Found by: | Dinker (2) |
| Last found: | May 28, 2022 |
| Status: | FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF |
| Last edited: | Jun 19, 2017 |
Clues updated 6-18-17
The south shore of Lake Tahoe offers many diversions for the nature lover, and one that is a nice walk through history as well is Tallac Historic Site. This location is right on the lake, is free, is great for families, swimming and picnics, and dogs are allowed on leashes. The clues begin at Valhalla, so if you can't park close to there, see the end of the clues for alternate parking and get yourself back to the start of your adventure.
From the south: About 3 miles up Hwy 89 N from the south 'Y' intersection (where you leave Hwy 50) you reach historic Camp Richardson. You'll pass campgrounds, the general store, the road to the marina, the lodge... Just past the Valhalla sign, park in the dirt/gravel area to the right of Hwy 89 and walk in on the road.
From the north: Take Hwy 89 S around Emerald Bay, past Cascade Properties, past Baldwin Beach, then start looking for the turnoff to Fallen Leaf Lake on the right. On the left at the same place is a sign and turnoff for Tallac Historic Site--this is overflow parking. Continue past the Camp Rich stables and look for the dirt/gravel parking area on the left. If you get to the wooden Historic Camp Richardson sign, you've gone too far. Walk in on the road.
Walk towards the lake, which is pretty much north here, staying on the furthest east walkway as you pass Valhalla.
**This is popular area. Please be sure no one is watching you as you retrieve these boxes! And rehide exactly as described so they'll stay safe for another bunch o' years.**
Box #1: [7-19-14 Stamp replaced.] Follow the paved path as it turns west, passing the cultural arts sign. Find the home of the Sheik and the small yellow rectangle partway up one wall. Sighting SW from the railing ahead of this yellow quadroid, follow the little dirt path to Tod Goodwin, or what's left of him (or her!). Standing before Tod's story, note Jeff due south. At Jeff's feet is a fallen trunk. You'll want to look in the back left end, covered with bark and a pine cone.
Box #2: Go back to the paved path and the sign that reads "Notice...Enjoy But Do Not Destroy...". Follow the unpaved trail from here heading W. Just past the octagonal fir bark art building is another dirt path that forks off the main one roughly SW and meets up with another westerly path that passes the Twins. Take this path and proceed between a pair of stone twins into the courtyard of the Pope Estate. If it's summer, you can visit the nanny, the butler, the chauffeur, the maid, the gardener and the tutor. There is a dry fountain ahead of you, and beyond it to the SW, a building that now houses restrooms. Stand close to this building with your back to the door that is to the east of the "restrooms" sign. Sight from here to the centerpiece of the fountain, and beyond through the trees you'll see the gable of a woodsy cabin peeping up. Go to it and sit or stand on the edge of the porch, then walk around the lakeside of the cabin almost to the other end. Two crumbling stumps are there, and the closest to the lake shelters your prize. That large chunk of ant-eaten stump inside is actually movable, and under it, buried in duff, is Box #2. The back porch makes a nice stamping-in spot, which will help you be discreet, as this area gets lots of traffic.
Box #3: [Recarved and replanted. My carving skills are rusty, so it's a good thing I chose to recarve the original image, which was one of my first, so kind of rough!] From this cabin, sight uphill to the SW to the main Pope house. Walk up to the westward path that passes on the lake side of the house and follow it west. You'll take a little wooden bridge over an artificial pond in a sweet old garden. Continue through the gate and forward through the next garden until you meet with a fork that will take you around to the lake side of the big house you see ahead of you. Linger a moment near the porch, appreciating, as I do, the decorative screen door. Now west again to the guest houses. On the north side of the one that has a kitchen is a northbound path bordered with stones. Follow it about 35 steps and turn 90 degrees to the left. Do you see a metal gate ahead of you? Walk halfway to it, then look into the trees on the lake side. There is a big old hollow stump there, and inside it, on the side opposite the gate side, under duff and a good-sized chunk of decaying wood, is Box #3.
Box #4: This image was originally in a bonus box that went missing twice. I've recarved it and hidden it as a fourth box. Retrace your steps on the rock-lined path, continuing left of Anita, away from the lake, roughly parallel to the fence on your right. Pass the tending garden and the winter house. When you hit the paved path, turn right, and find the 4-ft cut stump on left roughly 17 steps before Jolie. Same side as the fallen tree, at base, completely buried in duff and covered with a chunk of old wood.
Be sure to enjoy the beach while you're here (the sunsets are often stunning), and if you're craving clam chowder or fried calamari, the Beacon at Camp Richardson is just the ticket.
Parking: Overflow parking is at the "Tallac Historic Site" turnoff a little further north; as you drive in take the right fork for the historic site parking lot. (This parking area is closed in the off-season.) There are signs that will direct you into the historic site, but you'll be on the wrong side. If you don't want to spoil any surprises, take the paved road that is furthest to the east to Valhalla, your starting point.
In the summertime, this site can be pretty busy. The boxes are in places where you shouldn't be too conspicuous as you retrieve or replace them, but the parking thing can be frustrating, especially on the weekend or if some event is going on. Fall and spring are the best times to visit, but in the high season you can take advantage of less popular hours, such as early morning or late afternoon, two quite lovely times of day. These boxes may be accessible in the winter, depending on the snow coverage; plenty of Decembers have been dry, and other winter months as well. This is a great place to cross country ski, and if there are only a few inches of snow you might be able to box and ski! If you're the kind of person who needs all the information you can get before you take an adventure, there is a pile of good information at www.valhalla-tallac.com/.
Box on!
The south shore of Lake Tahoe offers many diversions for the nature lover, and one that is a nice walk through history as well is Tallac Historic Site. This location is right on the lake, is free, is great for families, swimming and picnics, and dogs are allowed on leashes. The clues begin at Valhalla, so if you can't park close to there, see the end of the clues for alternate parking and get yourself back to the start of your adventure.
From the south: About 3 miles up Hwy 89 N from the south 'Y' intersection (where you leave Hwy 50) you reach historic Camp Richardson. You'll pass campgrounds, the general store, the road to the marina, the lodge... Just past the Valhalla sign, park in the dirt/gravel area to the right of Hwy 89 and walk in on the road.
From the north: Take Hwy 89 S around Emerald Bay, past Cascade Properties, past Baldwin Beach, then start looking for the turnoff to Fallen Leaf Lake on the right. On the left at the same place is a sign and turnoff for Tallac Historic Site--this is overflow parking. Continue past the Camp Rich stables and look for the dirt/gravel parking area on the left. If you get to the wooden Historic Camp Richardson sign, you've gone too far. Walk in on the road.
Walk towards the lake, which is pretty much north here, staying on the furthest east walkway as you pass Valhalla.
**This is popular area. Please be sure no one is watching you as you retrieve these boxes! And rehide exactly as described so they'll stay safe for another bunch o' years.**
Box #1: [7-19-14 Stamp replaced.] Follow the paved path as it turns west, passing the cultural arts sign. Find the home of the Sheik and the small yellow rectangle partway up one wall. Sighting SW from the railing ahead of this yellow quadroid, follow the little dirt path to Tod Goodwin, or what's left of him (or her!). Standing before Tod's story, note Jeff due south. At Jeff's feet is a fallen trunk. You'll want to look in the back left end, covered with bark and a pine cone.
Box #2: Go back to the paved path and the sign that reads "Notice...Enjoy But Do Not Destroy...". Follow the unpaved trail from here heading W. Just past the octagonal fir bark art building is another dirt path that forks off the main one roughly SW and meets up with another westerly path that passes the Twins. Take this path and proceed between a pair of stone twins into the courtyard of the Pope Estate. If it's summer, you can visit the nanny, the butler, the chauffeur, the maid, the gardener and the tutor. There is a dry fountain ahead of you, and beyond it to the SW, a building that now houses restrooms. Stand close to this building with your back to the door that is to the east of the "restrooms" sign. Sight from here to the centerpiece of the fountain, and beyond through the trees you'll see the gable of a woodsy cabin peeping up. Go to it and sit or stand on the edge of the porch, then walk around the lakeside of the cabin almost to the other end. Two crumbling stumps are there, and the closest to the lake shelters your prize. That large chunk of ant-eaten stump inside is actually movable, and under it, buried in duff, is Box #2. The back porch makes a nice stamping-in spot, which will help you be discreet, as this area gets lots of traffic.
Box #3: [Recarved and replanted. My carving skills are rusty, so it's a good thing I chose to recarve the original image, which was one of my first, so kind of rough!] From this cabin, sight uphill to the SW to the main Pope house. Walk up to the westward path that passes on the lake side of the house and follow it west. You'll take a little wooden bridge over an artificial pond in a sweet old garden. Continue through the gate and forward through the next garden until you meet with a fork that will take you around to the lake side of the big house you see ahead of you. Linger a moment near the porch, appreciating, as I do, the decorative screen door. Now west again to the guest houses. On the north side of the one that has a kitchen is a northbound path bordered with stones. Follow it about 35 steps and turn 90 degrees to the left. Do you see a metal gate ahead of you? Walk halfway to it, then look into the trees on the lake side. There is a big old hollow stump there, and inside it, on the side opposite the gate side, under duff and a good-sized chunk of decaying wood, is Box #3.
Box #4: This image was originally in a bonus box that went missing twice. I've recarved it and hidden it as a fourth box. Retrace your steps on the rock-lined path, continuing left of Anita, away from the lake, roughly parallel to the fence on your right. Pass the tending garden and the winter house. When you hit the paved path, turn right, and find the 4-ft cut stump on left roughly 17 steps before Jolie. Same side as the fallen tree, at base, completely buried in duff and covered with a chunk of old wood.
Be sure to enjoy the beach while you're here (the sunsets are often stunning), and if you're craving clam chowder or fried calamari, the Beacon at Camp Richardson is just the ticket.
Parking: Overflow parking is at the "Tallac Historic Site" turnoff a little further north; as you drive in take the right fork for the historic site parking lot. (This parking area is closed in the off-season.) There are signs that will direct you into the historic site, but you'll be on the wrong side. If you don't want to spoil any surprises, take the paved road that is furthest to the east to Valhalla, your starting point.
In the summertime, this site can be pretty busy. The boxes are in places where you shouldn't be too conspicuous as you retrieve or replace them, but the parking thing can be frustrating, especially on the weekend or if some event is going on. Fall and spring are the best times to visit, but in the high season you can take advantage of less popular hours, such as early morning or late afternoon, two quite lovely times of day. These boxes may be accessible in the winter, depending on the snow coverage; plenty of Decembers have been dry, and other winter months as well. This is a great place to cross country ski, and if there are only a few inches of snow you might be able to box and ski! If you're the kind of person who needs all the information you can get before you take an adventure, there is a pile of good information at www.valhalla-tallac.com/.
Box on!