Calawee Cove Beach via the Rubicon trail

July 28, 2026

All Trails page and related page for this hike.

This was our second hike in the Lake Tahoe area. We planned on doing a third, but some of us (including me) were too blistered and sore to take on another more aggressive hike.

We start at Emerald Bay State Park.

The young men take the lead again and we see them on occasion when they stop and rest allowing us to catch up.

The first part of the trail is a driveway down to a campsite.

A closeup of some of the foliage.

We take in a view of the bay.

The ladies of our hiking party; lifetime friends.

Two of the fellows in our party.

This is a water supply tank for the campsites below.

Down near the water. The trail follows along the lake so we get spectacular water views along with the trees, rocks and vegetation.

Like yesterday’s hike, the nature views are wonderful.

This is a neat rock arrangement the trail goes through.

The party stops for a water break along the shore.

We press on.

We spot a group of folks on kayaks.

This seemed like a good spot to get a couple portraits of our hiking party.

Another view of the water through the trees.

A husband and wife from our group; these folks were a lot of fun to be around.

Along the hike, both the trail and the views of the lake are fascinating so I capture many pictures along the way.

We take another break. This hike is about 5 1/2 miles in and then we will be hiking 5 1/2 miles back.

Off again.

I get a portrait of the youngest hiker in the group.

The pine cones from these trees are huge.

Looking up hill.

Another break and then we press on.

Sometimes the trail is up above the lake and sometimes it is near the shore.

I get some portraits of my wife and her cousin.

The three ladies hiking together in conversation.

Likewise for the guys.

This rock formation is natural, but looks like an intentional sculpture.

I get a nice shot of the ladies.

We are near the destination. There is a well maintained walkway through some high rock face above the water.

I convince the ladies into acting like they are holding up this rock. They are into it and quite convincing.

Here is Calawee Cove Beach. It is quite populated as there is a road to it from above and many folks come in on boat.

My wife, Ying, gets into her Hmong skirt as do the other two ladies. The water is great and we swim and take pictures.

After some good times on the beach, we head for the long hike back.

My wife and I take on the challenge of trying to keep up with the young guys. We are always a little bit behind them.

Another couple of rock formations that looks sculpted.

I get a closer shot on this one on the way back because it is so interesting.

We finally make it back to where we started and with the three younger guys wait for the rest of the party.