The Sierra Nevada, a very small ecoregion, is a deeply dissected block fault that rises sharply on the east side of the arid central basin and range ecoregion. The Sierra Navada ecoregion slopes gently toward the Central California Valley to the west. The eastern portion has been strongly glaciated. Much of the central and southern parts of the ecoregion are underlain by granite.

The vegetation is mixed conifer and in Nevada are predominately white fir and lodgepole pine on the west side and Jeffery pine and lodgepolepine pine on the east side. Higher evlevations include red fir, mountain hemlock, and western white pine. There are many high mountain lakes, steams and meadows often with raparian areas. Alpine conditions exist at the highest elevations.

Lake Tahoe at one time was a very nice area but in recent years has become as crowded as any city I have been in. Still, is is quite scenic.

Inland Desert Route