Modjeska Falls (Upper Glen Alpine Falls)

Fallen Leaf Lake / South Lake Tahoe, California, USA

About Modjeska Falls (Upper Glen Alpine Falls)

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Modjeska Falls (also known as Upper Glen Alpine Falls) was the other main waterfall on Glen Alpine Creek, which drained into the scenic Fallen Leaf Lake.

This 50ft waterfall wasn’t anything particularly special compared to some of its other counterparts in the greater Lake Tahoe area.

Glen_Alpine_Falls_102_06232016 - Modjeska Falls (or Upper Glen Alpine Falls)
Modjeska Falls (or Upper Glen Alpine Falls)

However, it was the surrounding scenery as well as the history of the area that was probably where more of the claim to fame came from.

Although Mom and I didn’t hike past this waterfall, we were keenly aware that there was once a Glen Alpine Springs Resort.

It was said to be Tahoe’s earliest resort, and apparently people used to be able to access it by vehicle back in its heyday.

There was also Lily Lake at the trailhead, which was a scenic alpine lake surrounded by beautiful mountains still clinging onto the snows accumulated from the previous season’s precipitation.

But as for the waterfall itself, it was certainly no slouch in that we were able to get right in front of it and feel the cool spray against the warm weather.

Glen_Alpine_Falls_067_06232016 - Lily Lake
Lily Lake

We were able to experience it not only from its base, but there were also views further downstream (as shown at the top of this page).

And, if you don’t mind using someone’s private deck, there was a nice “backyard” view as well.

The Heritage of the Glen Alpine Springs Resort

There were mineral springs said to have been discovered by Nathan Gilmore in 1863.

It was around that time that he changed his life from farmer to resort entrepreneur essentially establishing the first tourist resort in the Tahoe area.

When we look at how the South Lake Tahoe resort city had evolved into its modern day center for mixing city life, gambling, and natural retreat, it can be argued that this all can be traced back to the pioneering done by Mr Gilmore.

Glen_Alpine_Falls_109_06232016 - Some home that tapped off the power lines around the Glen Alpine Creek near Modjeska Falls
Some home that tapped off the power lines around the Glen Alpine Creek near Modjeska Falls

And since we’re on the topic of history, the formal name of the falls was derived from Helena Modjeska.

She was a Polish actress who made a name for herself in her acting career in the Bay Area in the 1870s and 1880s.

Her name was forever associated with this area after her visit to Glen Alpine Springs Resort in 1885.

The affluent people who have watched her perform while also frequenting this area apparently named this falls in her honor.

Hiking to Modjeska Falls

As for the hike to Modjeska Falls, it seemed like everything about the trail seemed to have traces of the rich past.

Glen_Alpine_Falls_083_06232016 - We had to negotiate some flooded portions of the trail in order to get to the Modjeska Falls
We had to negotiate some flooded portions of the trail in order to get to the Modjeska Falls

The trail was essentially a rocky road following some power lines that appeared to lead to someone’s private home near the falls.

Even the scenic Lily Lake at the trailhead must have been quite a place to relax for those people who stayed at the resort.

During our hike, we encountered a handful of flooded sections and puddles making the trail muddy in spots, but I guess that tended to come with the territory when Glen Alpine Creek was at peak flow from the snowmelt.

The hike started off mostly flat (albeit rocky so it was slow going and good shoes would be required), but then after roughly 0.4 miles, the trail started ascending as it rounded a bend with a view of Modjeska Falls in the distance.

Glen_Alpine_Falls_111_06232016 - Mom pursuing an unmarked path leading us closer to the bottom of the Modjeska Falls
Mom pursuing an unmarked path leading us closer to the bottom of the Modjeska Falls

After another 0.1 miles, we saw the seemingly boarded up private home.

However, instead of going on the deck to see the falls, there was an unmarked path between a couple of trees off the road just past the house.

We took this path, which followed a temporary overflowing creek ultimately leading right up to the base of Modjeska Falls.

It was here that we enjoyed some relative privacy (apparently most hikers on this pretty popular trail didn’t seem to be aware of this spot).

Glen_Alpine_Falls_112_06232016 - Enjoying the bottom of the main drop of the Modjeska Falls
Enjoying the bottom of the main drop of the Modjeska Falls

We even enjoyed a pleasant picnic lunch while being cooled by the spray of the falls in full spate.

Like with the Glen Alpine Falls further downstream, this waterfall appeared to rapidly lose its vigor deeper into the Summertime.

So to get maximum enjoyment, it seemed like early Summer to mid-Summer at the latest would be the ideal times for a visit.

Anyways, after having our fill of the Modjeska Falls, we saw other people viewing it from the deck of that private home.

Glen_Alpine_Falls_131_06232016 - Partial view of the Modjeska Falls from where that private cabin was
Partial view of the Modjeska Falls from where that private cabin was

We weren’t sure if that was kosher since it still seemed to be in use as the power lines seemed to feed a power meter here as well as a worn sign saying something like “Private Property Please Go Away”.

Nevertheless, from what we can tell, that there was a slightly obstructed and more angled view of the Modjeska Falls from there.

Anyways, when all was said and done, we were back at the trailhead at Lily Lake, and we had spent roughly 70 minutes away from the car.

Of that time, we probably spent a good 15-20 minutes relaxing at the falls itself.

Overall, the hike was said to be 1 mile round trip.

Authorities

Modjeska Falls resides in the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit near South Lake Tahoe in El Dorado County, California. It is administered by the USDA Forest Service. For information or inquiries about the area as well as current conditions, visit their website.

Maps and Routing Content are for annual subscribers. See Membership Options.
Content is for subscribers. See Membership Options.
Tagged with: fallen leaf lake, south lake tahoe, eldorado, sierra nevada, northern california, california, waterfall, glen alpine creek, glen alpine springs, lily lake



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