Incline Lake: A Forgotten Jewel of Tahoe's Logging Era

Tucked away near Incline Village on the north shore of Lake Tahoe lies the former site of Incline Lake—an artificial body of water that played a pivotal role in one of the most ambitious industrial efforts in Sierra Nevada history. While the lake is gone today, the landscape tells a story rich with innovation, ambition, and transformation.

Origins: Born of Timber and Silver

Incline Lake's story begins with the 1859 discovery of the Comstock Lode in Virginia City, which ignited a mining frenzy in Nevada. The booming demand for lumber to support mining tunnels and infrastructure led to massive logging operations in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

The Sierra Nevada Wood and Lumber Company established a vast timber network in the region to meet this demand. Incline Lake was constructed as a mill pond—a reservoir used to store felled logs before they were processed and transported. This artificial lake became an essential part of the company’s operations, nestled near the upper terminus of one of the most fascinating pieces of logging infrastructure ever built.

The Great Incline Tramway

By 1878, the need to move vast quantities of lumber over the Sierra crest led to the creation of the Great Incline Tramway, an extraordinary feat of 19th-century engineering that would give Incline Village its name. The 4,000-foot-long, steam-powered cable tramway hauled logs up an 1,800-foot vertical incline. At the top—near what was then Incline Lake—logs were loaded into V-flumes, wooden aqueducts that shot the lumber down to Washoe Valley using only gravity and water.

The operation was both dangerous and daring. But it worked, supplying the Comstock mines with a steady flow of timber from the forests around Lake Tahoe.

Decline and Transformation

As the silver boom faded in the early 20th century, so too did the need for extensive logging operations. By the mid-1900s, the industrial use of Incline Lake had all but vanished. The surrounding land changed hands several times before being purchased by the U.S. Forest Service in the early 21st century for conservation and public access.

Due to safety concerns about the lake’s dam, Incline Lake was drained in the 2010s. Though the water is gone, the area has become part of the Tahoe National Forest, offering hiking, wildlife viewing, and glimpses of the past in the form of old logging remnants.

A Living Legacy

Today, the Incline Lake area stands as a monument to the industrious spirit of the past and the enduring beauty of nature. What was once a bustling hub of log flumes and steam cables is now a peaceful retreat—a place where you can still find traces of the great timber routes that helped fuel Nevada’s mining empire.

I recently was able to visit the Incline Lake Loop Trail area and take footage of this spectacular area with my drone. Check out my video below! 

Whether you're a history buff, hiker, or Tahoe local, the story of Incline Lake is worth remembering—not just as a lake lost to time, but as a symbol of how landscapes evolve from industry to preservation.

Explore the Past in Our Backyard

The next time you're in Incline Village, take a hike through the former Incline Lake area. You’ll not only enjoy the serenity of Tahoe’s backcountry—you’ll also be walking through a chapter of the West’s industrial past.

The Angst Real Estate Team

Looking for an experienced Real Estate Team in Reno/Sparks and Northern Nevada? Look no further than Ken Angst and his team! With a demonstrated history of success working with buyers, sellers, and investors, we are the top authority in the area. Stay up-to-date on the latest trends and topics in the Reno/Sparks real estate market with our YouTube Channel featuring our weekly podcast, designed to provide you with the information you need to make informed decisions. Whether you're looking to buy, sell, or invest in property, we have the expertise you need to achieve your goals. Contact us today to learn more! 775-525-0309

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