Near South Lake Tahoe in El Dorado County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

The Old Veteran

Photographed by Alvis Hendley, October 21, 2022

1. The Old Veteran Placard

Inscription. This giant Jeffrey pine, the Old Veteran, is 350 to 400 years old. Although this tree still stands, most of the pines of the same age fell to loggers in the late 1800s. This tree is the only one of its kind near the visitor center.

Notice that the Old Veteran's trunk branches in two. This unique shape is what probably saved it from the logger's axe. The growth was caused by damage early in its life by storms, winds or animals. Loggers called damaged tree like this one wolf trees.

Visit the nearby Forest Tree Trail to explore the story of the Jeffrey pine and the wildlife of the forest.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Horticulture & Forestry • Parks & Recreational Areas.

Location. 38° 56.121′ N, 120° 3.164′ W. Marker is near South Lake Tahoe, California, in El Dorado County. It can be reached from California Route 89. The placard is in one of several parking lots at Tallac Historic Site. To reach the parking lot, travel west on CA-89 about 500 feet west of Fallen Leaf Lake Road. Turn right (north) on Visitor Center

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Road and travel about 1,000 feet to the parking lot. The placard is at the north end of the parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: South Lake Tahoe CA 96150, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Sacramento Metro,

in the Sierra Nevada,

and in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Discover the Tallac Historic Site (approx. 0.3 miles away); Welcome to the Historic Tallac Resort (approx. 0.3 miles away); Lucky's Legacy (approx. 0.4 miles away); Baldwin House & Tallac Museum (approx. 0.4 miles away); Anita Gibson & Dextra Cabins (approx. 0.4 miles away); A Rustic Retreat: The Baldwin Estate (approx. 0.4 miles away); Tea Time at the Gazebo (approx. half a mile away); Supporting a Life of Ease

Photographed by Alvis Hendley, October 21, 2022

2. The Old Veteran Placard

(approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in South Lake Tahoe.

The Old Veteran Jeffrey Pine image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Alvis Hendley, October 21, 2022

3. The Old Veteran Jeffrey Pine

Photographed by Alvis Hendley, October 21, 2022

4. The Old Veteran Jeffrey Pine

Credits. This page was last revised on December 11, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 11, 2022, by Alvis Hendley of San Francisco, California. This page has been viewed 649 times since then and 67 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 11, 2022, by Alvis Hendley of San Francisco, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.