Straddling Angora Ridge road above Fallen Leaf Lake in South Lake Tahoe sits the Angora Fire Lookout.

The original Angora Fire Lookout was built in 1924, and was later converted into a small residence.  In 1935, the Civilian Conservation Corps built the current lookout structure. The garage next to the road was built sometime during the 1940s.

Lake Tahoe has three fire lookouts which still stand today.  Angora in South Lake Tahoe, Zephyr Cove on the East Shore, and Martis Peak above Incline Village, NV.

The Angora Fire Lookout has been relatively well maintained and provides spectacular views of Fallen Leaf Lake, Mount Tallac, Lake Tahoe and Desolation Wilderness to the north and east, and Round Top, Elephant’s Back, Carson Pass, Echo Summit and all points in between to the South.

Situated across the highway from the Tallac Historic Site on Lake Tahoe, Fallen Leaf Lake is rich in turn-of-the-century history. Anita Baldwin, daughter of “Lucky” Baldwin, once had a home on the north side of Fallen Leaf Lake where you can find remnants of a rock chimney. Anita built the Baldwin Estate in 1921 located at the Tallac Historic Site, and also sponsored the building of the Fallen Leaf Lake dam.

Fire Lookout Beta:  US 518, California 56

Elevation: 7256′

Coordinates: N38.88242 W120.05463

Today, the Angora Fire Lookout is managed by the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. It is unique in that all three lookout ground houses built there over the years have been maintained and retain their original designs.  The lookout is a popular destination for bicyclists.

Being a residence for fire watchers, we’re sure there is a lot of history connected to this lookout.