Sunset Happy Hour at High Camp

Sunset Happy Hour at High Camp delivered more than we expected, including a rare phenomenon: a halo, rainbow-like ring around the setting sun.

Join us for this unique après experience as we visit High Camp and experience the fine dining, breathtaking views, Olympic history, and nature at her very best waiting for us at the top.

As you lift off in the Palisades Tahoe Aerial Tram you get a bird's eye view of the Village at Palisades, Olympic Valley, and the winding Washeshu Creek in the distance below.

If this is your first time on the Tram, you may discover something familiar about the rock formations as you make your way to the top.

These are the same rocks that inspired Walt Disney. In fact, below is a fun trail to hike during summer called Thunder Mountain Trail. It starts at the bottom of the Exhibition chairlift and ascends to High Camp (approximately 3.2 miles, 2,000' elevation gain/loss).

Walt Disney played a significant part in the 1960 Winter Olympics. As Chairman of the Pageantry Committee for the Games, Disney orchestrated the opening and closing ceremonies, the victory ceremonies for each event, and the Olympic torch relay.

Learn more about the fascinating history of Disney's influence on the 1960 Winter Olympic Games and the Olympics as we know them today, here.

High Camp offers more than just spectacular views and fine dining, although it's well worth the trip up there for exactly that - it's also home to The Olympic Museum.

A walk through The Olympic Museum is like a walk in a time capsule. You drift back in time to what put Palisades Tahoe (formerly known as Squaw Valley) on the map.

The Olympic Museum showcases Palisades Tahoe's historic collection of Olympic memorabilia from the 1960 Winter Olympic Games.

Outside the museum are the iconic Olympic Rings rising high above the building.

Now, for the Sunset Happy Hour at High Camp!

Nicola and I enjoyed the Empanadas and I felt an obligation, a sense of duty, to try two of the specialty drinks, a Palisades Tahoe/Patron collaboration: the Spicy Reposado Paloma and the Patron Old Fashioned (yes, I took two for the team). The food and drinks were excellent - the Old Fashioned hit the spot, but the Spicy Reposado Paloma was earthy and memorable.

There was live music with songs and guitar strumming that would have made Johnny Cash proud.

Visitors, from first-timers and tourists to locals like us, made their way to the tables and the bar with panoramic views of the Alpine sunset.

We met a family of three generations enjoying the breathtaking views at High Camp. Nicola took a photo of them and realized how fortunate that skiers and non skiers alike, from granddaughter to grandmother, could enjoy this special occasion together. (Check the Palisades Tahoe Events Calendar for more events like this and others here.)

And what a spectacular sunset!

As the sun drifted over the mountain something rare and unexpected occurred. At first it just looked like any other sunset. But then a colorful rainbow-like glow formed around the sun. It's known as a halo, caused by sunlight refracting off ice crystals in a thin veil of cirrus clouds. Typically, the halo is a bright, white ring. But if you're lucky - as we were - you may see it with colors.

These images have not been photoshopped. Like all my photos here and in Blue Wolf Gallery, they've been taken with my iPhone.

From High Camp you can see Lake Tahoe and beyond.

While the views at the top are Ansel Adams-worthy and the history of Palisades Tahoe has that Disney magic, it's the people here right now, like our two new friends in the photo below, Brent (on left) and Juan (on right), that keep our mountain the magical place it remains today.

Thanks for joining us on our little trip up the mountain where it's always Happy Hour.

Cheers!

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I’m Michael Kennedy, Olympic Valley, CA resident, married to Nicola Kennedy (in photo above). I’m a writer, photographer, lover of nature, and property caretaker. I just want to say thanks for your attention - I appreciate it in such a noisy world. If you enjoyed it, please share with others. It means a lot to me and it helps others see the story.

If you're interested in owning any photos in my gallery, call or text me at 530.608.9150 with inquiries. My email: michael.kennedy999@gmail.com.