...Three for the Elven Kings Under the Sky
“To the sea, to the sea! The white gulls are crying,
The wind is blowing, and the white foam is flying.
West, west away, the round sun is falling,
Grey ship, grey ship, do you hear them calling,
The voices of my people that have gone before me?
I will leave, I will leave the woods that bore me;
For our days are ending and our years failing.
I will pass the wide waters lonely sailing.
Long are the waves on the Last Shore falling,
Sweet are the voices in the Lost Isle calling,
In Eressea, in Elvenhome that no man can discover,
Where the leaves fall not: land of my people forever!”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings
Standing on the banks of Emerald Bay, one can almost imagine an ancient world of elves and men, with ships setting forth from Vikingsholm, sailing gently past the small island of rock, and slipping silenty out into the mists of Tahoe. In the world of Tahoelkien, this could be Mithlond, better known as the Grey Havens, where Círdan the Shipwright and his remaining folk dwelled and continued to build the great ships that carried the Elves to the Blessed Realm.
This is a rerelease of a previous indentical cache that was only found twice, then DNF'd by a few misguided hunters who couldn't figure their way past the posted coordinates. All the original waypoint markers still exist, so we are resurrecting this cache... as it seems to have some elven immortality. For best results, keep your eyes out for something silver at GZ that will guide you to the next stage / waypoint.
This cache will lead you on your own pilgrimage westward...along the magical Rubicon Trail from the heights of Eagle Point to the water's edge across the Bay. Come ready to hike... and ready to hunt. As with any sacred path, there will be signs guiding you along the way. Follow the waypoints until the final reveals itself; all can be found along the trail, but may take some work to discover. The journey is not difficult, but one should be prepared. The round trip distance is about 6 miles. Bring water, good shoes, and a sense of adventure.
During the summer season (if the campground is open), there is day parking (for a fee) mere meters away from GZ. For those searching off-season, or simply wanting to avoid the fee, park (legally please) at the turnouts just off the road at the campground entrance and walk down to the posted coordinates to begin your journey.