Azure Lake

Azure Lake is located in El Dorado County in the El Dorado National Forest. Azure Lake sits at an elevation of 9200 feet. There is an island in the middle of the lake that is always fun to swim out to if you are up for the challenge. Azure Lake is a snow fed lake, so the water is always cold. Azure Lake is located in Desolation Wilderness, so you must hike to the lake, and a hiking permit is required.

To get to Azure Lake, you will need to start from the Cascade Falls Hiking Trail. The hike starts near Emerald Bay, which is located a few short miles north of South Lake Tahoe on Highway 89. The Bayview Trail starts at the tail end of the Bayview Campground opposite of Inspiration Point, which is the scenic overlook that is located about one mile before you get to Emerald Bay. Here you will find a wooden sigh that points left to Cascade Falls. Follow the signs that point toward Cascade Falls. Along the trail you will cross Cascade Creek, and you will need to hike up the canyon across sloping, glacially polished granite slabs. This area has a beautiful landscape that is perfect for some scenic photography, and great views of Cascade Lake with Lake Tahoe in the back drop. As you continue up the canyon about two miles you will see that the canyon widens and divides itself into two drainages. The left drainage leads to Snow Lake, and the right drainage will head more steeply uphill. Continue up into the right drainage where you will follow a small stream straight to Azure Lake.

 

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