Mom with Mugsy

In 1969, Emerald Bay was designated a National Natural Landmark for its brilliant panorama of mountain-building processes and glacier carved granite. The natural beauty, geology and history of this unique island make it one of the highlights of any visit to the Lake Tahoe area – Emerald Bay State Park

A tractor trailer (with a trail of cars behind) crosses old Highway 40 over Donner Summit

Originally this road was the Lincoln Highway, dedicated in 1913; in 1928 it was improved and became Highway 40.  That scenic two-lane road across the Sierra Nevada range was replaced in 1960 by the modern Interstate 80, which stretches from the Pacific Ocean all the way to the Atlantic.

Echo Summit is the highest point on U.S. Route 50 in California, at 7,382 ft (2,250 m) above sea level.  Here you can see Lake Tahoe in the distance.

Below are three views of Bass Lake, which is found south of Yosemite, in Madera County. This lake was formed in 1910 with construction of the Crane Valley Dam.  The town of Bass Lake Village (now known simply as Bass Lake) sprang up in 1895 with construction of the dam.