Fannette Island surrounded by Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe, California, USA

© Rachid Dahnoun/Tandem Stills + Motio

A mile-high island. Fannette Island, Lake Tahoe

Tucked into a tiny bay of a grand alpine lake is Fannette Island, the only island in Lake Tahoe. The massive lake lies in the Sierra Nevada mountain range in the western US, at an altitude of 6,225ft (1,897m), straddling the state line between California to the west and Nevada to the east with near perfect symmetry. Fannette Island is in Emerald Bay, on the California side, which is connected to the lake by the narrow inlet, seen near the top of this image.

Lake Tahoe attracts boaters, skiers and even gamblers who flock to the casinos found on its shores. It is known for its cold, clear alpine water which, even in plummeting winter temperatures, never freezes. The largest alpine lake in North America, Tahoe rivals even the Great Lakes by volume because it is so deep.

Ice-Age glaciers carved out Emerald Bay aeons ago, leaving tiny Fannette Island in its wake. A short hike to the top, 150ft (46m) above the water, will take you to the ruins of an old stone building called the Tea House, constructed in the 1920s. At that height it was the perfect place for high tea, served up with stunning views over the lake. While tea is no longer served on top of the island, the alpine vistas are still there for the taking.