Archive for February, 2010

Meet, Hike, Relax, Repeat

Monday, February 22nd, 2010

We are planning and preparing for our spring conference season which begins Friday, April 23.  Most groups bring their programs to our retreat center, but we work with Stanford University to offer a few of our own events.  Thursday, April 29 to Sunday, May 2 is the fourth annual Write Retreat, creative writing program.   Lecturers from Stanford including a number of former Stegner fellows lead workshops in the mornings, then afternoons are free for participants to write, relax, take a boat out on Fallen Leaf Lake or hike into Desolation Wilderness.

Return presenter Alyssa O'Brien leads a morning workshop

Writing on the boat dock

With Fallen Leaf Lake out our front door and Desolation Wilderness out back, meetings in the morning with free afternoons are the preferred schedule at our center.  After a delicious dinner, hold an evening meeting in front of the fire in either the Cathedral Room or the Old Lodge.

Fireside reading in the Old Lodge

Space is still available for individuals to join the Write Retreat or for your group to bring a spring event to our comfortable center on beautiful Fallen Leaf Lake, so give me a call!

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Short Walk or Long Hike Gets you Beautiful Views

Tuesday, February 9th, 2010

Bring your walking shoes or hiking boots on your visit to Stanford Sierra Conference Center.  You can head out on your own, or we can provide a friendly guide to lead your group on a hike.

Memorial weekend guided hike

Less than a mile from the main lodge on a paved road, the Lower Glen Alpine Falls cascade 60 feet in step like fashion.

January 2010 shot of the Lower Falls by Brian McClintock

The falls are most impressive in the spring with the run off from the melting snow.

Behind our lodge, Cathedral peak provides a spectacular backdrop and a more strenuous hike with rewarding views.

The lodge and Cathedral peak from Fallen Leaf Lake

Photo by Brian McClintock.

Before you hike to Cathedral check in at the office for directions and a hiking permit.  Then head back through the parking lot for a moderately difficult 2.5 mile hike to Cathedral Lake where you will be rewarded with a spectacular view of Fallen Leaf Lake and Lake Tahoe.  Read more about hiking around Fallen Leaf Lake.

The view from the hike to Cathedral.

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Inaugural blog

Monday, February 1st, 2010

Welcome to the inaugural blog for Stanford Sierra Conference Center on Fallen Leaf Lake.  We will share pictures and information, so you can get to know us and our breathtaking natural setting better.

The entrance to Stanford Sierra after a recent snowfall

As the seasons change, so do our operations and recreation.  Our center is closed for the winter, so our staff is focused on projects to make our lodge and cabins more functional and comfortable.  This winter, the crew is putting a fresh coat of paint inside all 52 of our cabins and 12 lodge rooms.

Freshly painted Lodge Room E

When the workday is over, many of us strap on skis or snowshoes and head out into the snow-covered mountains for adventure.  A favorite spot is Angora Ridge just a short walk from Stanford Sierra.

Fallen Leaf Lake, the lodge and Angora Ridge

After a fresh snowfall, skiing through fresh powder overlooking Fallen Leaf Lake and Lake Tahoe is an invigorating and inspiring experience!

That's me, on the hike up Angora Ridge

We feel fortunate to have access to such a beautiful, serene mountain playground.  If you have comments or photos of your visit to Stanford Sierra and Fallen Leaf Lake, please share.

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