You can reach the Emerald Lake Trail from the Bear Lake trailhead, found at the end of Bear Lake Road, about 9 miles from the turnoff at Highway 36. Make sure to take the trail that branches off ...

Follow Highway 89 south from Tahoe City, California, (about 20 miles) or north from South Lake Tahoe, California, (about 10 miles) and you'll come across the spectacular vistas of Emerald Bay.