Lakes
Loon Lake: a gateway to Crystal Basin fun and adventure
Loon Lake can be accessed year round, although various portions of the area are seasonal. This lake truly is a gateway to many opportunities of exploration and adventure within the Crystal Basin and Desolation Wilderness. Directions Loon Lake is located a few miles east of Ice House Road, in the northern portion of the Crystal …...
A quick look at Ice House Reservoir
Directions Take Highway 50 East from Sacramento and head toward Placerville. You will make a left onto Ice House Road which is located about 22 miles east of Placerville. The road is narrow at points and has many twists and turns. The speed limit is anywhere from 25 to 40 mph depending on the location. …...
Ralston Lake: Ralston Peak’s little wading pool
Ralston Lake sits at about 7800 feet in elevation and is located roughly 1.7 miles northwest of Upper Echo Lake. Directions Take Highway 50 East from Sacramento almost 50 miles before taking a left onto Jonson Pass Road. You will stay left on this road until it dead ends at Lower Echo Lake. Trailhead The …...
Tamarack Lake: A place of solitude and a mirror for Ralston Peak
Directions Take Highway 50 East from Sacramento almost 50 miles before taking a left onto Jonson Pass Road. You will stay left on this road until it dead ends at Lower Echo Lake. Trailhead The trailhead is located at Lower Echo Lake right near the Echo Chalet. This resort is seasonal and only open from …...
An exciting journey from Echo Lakes to Tamarack Lake and beyond
Echo Lake, also commonly referred to as Echo Lakes, is typically frozen during the winter due to its elevation of over 7,400 feet. The services located at Echo Lake are seasonal and are open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. These services include the popular Echo Chalet and the boat taxi. The trail from lower …...
Beauty Lake: It’s beauty depends on the time of day and the season
For my trip, I chose to further explore closer to Wrights Lake and only took the Rockbound trail 0.5 miles to reach Beauty Lake. Despite many hikers questioning the true “beauty” of Beauty Lake, I actually enjoyed the scenery and the view. In fact, I was able to get some nice pictures and avoid most …...
A quick look at Dark Lake
The lake is roughly at the 7000 foot elevation mark. It seems to be more popular for fishing rather than hiking or picture taking. Directions From Sacramento, head east on Highway 50 past Placerville. Roughly 4.5 miles east of the town of Kyburz is Wrights Road. Make a left onto Wrights Road and travel 8 …...
A quick look at Twin Lakes
Twin Lakes is a dazzling alpine lake surrounded by the Sierra’s finest granite. It’s located roughly 3 miles from the Twin Lakes trailhead, which is on the northeast side of Wrights Lake. The trail is all uphill and rises nearly 1300 feet in elevation. Directions From Sacramento, head east on Highway 50 past Placerville....
A quick look at Boomerang Lake
This lake is smaller than Twin Lakes, but it does offers the opportunity of jumping off some 12 foot high rocks into the water. Directions From Sacramento, head east on Highway 50. Roughly 4.5 miles east of the town of Kyburz is Wrights Road. Make a left onto Wrights Road and travel 8 miles until …...
Sugar Pine Reservoir: A sweet spot for hiking and camping in the Tahoe National Forest
It’s often overlooked for other lakes in the Tahoe National Forest, but it’s every bit as beautiful. The reservoir was created when the Sugar Pine Dam was built across the Shirt Tail Creek. Sugar Pine Reservoir sits at an elevation of 3500 feet and is a place of absolute enjoyment for all who visit. Directions …...
