Modjeska Falls

From South Lake Tahoe, take Highway 89 north for just under 3 miles and turn left onto Fallen Leaf Lake Road, following the narrow (at times single lane) winding road along Fallen Leaf Lake and past numerous cabins and residence. After 4.8 miles turn left onto Road 1216, which is signed for Lily Lake and the Desolation Wilderness Trailhead. Follow this road to the trailhead at its end in another 2/3 of a mile. The trail begins as a gated gravel road which provides access for the owners of the cabins in the area. Walk the road for less than 1/2 mile to the falls on the left.Often thought of as Upper Glen Alpine Falls, this much less impressive waterfall can be found en route to the Desolation Wilderness. Modjeska Falls drops a total of 51 feet in three steps, the upper and largest tier falling about 30 feet followed by two smaller drops of about 10 feet each. The falls are flanked by several small private cabins on plots of land leased from the Forest Service, which takes away a great deal of the wilderness feel that the falls would otherwise evoke. Though Glen Alpine Creek possesses a fairly substantial drainage area, like many stream in the Sierra it is largely dependent on melting snow or precipitation due to the lack of soil in the basin. As a result the volume of the creek will drop dramatically during the summer and autumn months, with the falls narrowing to just a single channel as it snakes down its ledges.The falls were named for Helena Modjeska, a polish actress who performed for guests at the Glen Alpine Springs resort, which was found about 1/3 of a mile upstream from the falls, during the 19th century.