Absolutely breathtakingly, beautiful day hike in Graeagle Lakes Basin Area that is not quite 2…read morehours from the Carson City area. Easy directions that has signs that will guide you right to the trailhead with as the other reviewers noted very limited parking but this hike is WELL worth it. With your choice of going to fish at Long Lake or hiking on several different hiking options from the Bear Lakes & Long Lake Loop Trail or take in a more moderate to difficult hike up to Mt. Elwell or Pacific Crest Trail you will not be disappointed by the beautiful nature views plus the four alpine lakes that on this trip in November we weren't brave enough to take a dip in but our Hobey doggy thoroughly enjoyed and we found to be of temperature similar to Lake Tahoe. Big Bear, Little Bear, Cub and Long Lake were exactly what we needed to put us back in touch with the serene vibes of the peacefulness of being outside with nature. Weather, views were stunningly gorgeous, we and our furry companions HIGHLY recommend getting out here to enjoy this easy to moderate hike/loop trail. Enjoy and #moveyourbody !!

I feel like nothing I write will adequately describe the beauty of this place, so I'll let the…read morepictures do the talking for that part. The trailhead is easy to find and off the main road. The road to get to the trailhead is doable in a small car, but take it slow as there are potholes and lots of blind corners. There's a well-maintained bathroom at the start of the trail and good signage. Parking is pretty good, there were plenty of spaces when I went but i could see it getting crowded during the summer months. The trail to long lake is relatively easy, but I wouldn't suggest it for someone with limited mobility. It's also a short hike with almost immediate payoff once you get to long lake, which is BEAUTIFUL. My dog and I elected to keep going past long lake toward the dam, and passed several small pretty lakes and streams on the way there. The trail was a little icy when I went in early December, but nothing too crazy.

I'm fully in my hiking/camping era at this point, so we decided to take a short drive and check out…read moreFrazier Falls. And honestly? This is my kind of hike. It's about a mile, easy, and paved, so you're not out there fighting for your life...but still has a high payoff at the end, which is really all I'm asking for these days When we got there, the waterfall was actually flowing, which always feels like a win. And on the way back, we cut through some rocks and were able to see where the waterfall starts, which made it even cooler. If you're nearby in early spring, I highly recommend checking out Frazier Falls. Easy, quick, and worth it...basically the perfect low-effort, high-reward hike.

Frazier Falls Trail was absolutely beautiful and perfect for families. The trail is easy to follow…read morewith very few inclines, making it enjoyable for hikers of all ages and skill levels. The scenery along the way is gorgeous, and the highlight is the stunning waterfall waiting at the end of the trail. The park is well-maintained, with clean bathrooms conveniently located near the parking lot and picnic tables available for enjoying lunch before or after your hike. Overall, it's a relaxing and rewarding outdoor experience that I would highly recommend for anyone looking for an easy, family-friendly adventure.

Heavy snowmelt runoff on 5/5/2012…read more Elevation ~5,130 ft. Difficulty: Moderate. Hiking season: May through October. Accessible from the Johnsville cemetery parking lot.

Thanks to previous reviewer whose info made us check this out. A slippery beginning down a steep…read morelittle trail then levels off to an easy 1/4 mile walk to the falls. Water level is pretty low, so a lot of rocks to jump around on, but not so low that there was no swimming hole. It was so much fun to try to get down to the swimming hole - someone tied a rope line, and our 9 y.o. was able to "rappel" down to the area, as were many other kids. They all had a blast swimming in the icy cold water, and jumping off the rocks. If it was 20 degrees warmer in the water, it would have been filled with adults, too. Nice crowd, too, not rednecky, just families from the nearby campground. Check out the local cemetery while you're here, just don't leave any trash -- people do, and it's just too annoying to pick up after them. Leave no trace, please.

Best part of this trip! Please wear shoes as the rocks and…read moregravel can be slippery. Must take your time getting to this area but worth it. There's a rope section to get up/down to the waterfall. Kids had a blast jumping off the rocks. Water was cold but the kids had too much fun. Plenty of parking Not crowded which is always a plus.

To get there: You can turn from CA-89 onto Johnsville Rd. and it is approximately 4.6 miles to…read moreJamison Mine Rd on the left. The trailhead parking area is 1.3 miles from the turnoff. The trail: From the parking area you'll see the trail and you'll go up to an old mine building and the trail goes to the left. The climb is moderate but partially shaded. If you go to Jamison and Rock Lakes you'll have an elevation gain of about 1100' to 1400' depending if you make it a loop and check out Wades Lake. We ended up exploring different areas and clocked 9.15 miles. This trail is extremely rewarding with a good workout, beautiful views, excellent cool lakes to swim in, and friendly people.

Just by looking at all of the gorgeous photos everyone has uploaded from their visit here to this…read morespot.... you can tell that it's a hidden gem within. Nevada City didn't feel like that far of a drive from Sacramento and it really was an outdoor type oasis when we visited during the summer months. It's surrounded by lush forests and gorgeous waters from the upper Tahoe areas. There's a defined parking area so you're not just pulling off the side of the road. We had taken swim shorts and dressed for the ability to free swim and jump off the rocks so it really was the best blend of hiking, nature, and swimming all in one! I would love to return here for another visit when it gets past the chill factor of winter and snow!

Finally made it here! Been wanting to for years and I most definitely was not disappointed…read more Knowing how busy it can get we came on a Monday. We were able to find parking and it was an easy and pretty walk to the pools. My only regret was not having the right shoes as the rocks can be slippery. The water is clean and clear with a lovely green color. As the water was low the grandkids were able to wade, but it can be much fuller with rushing water earlier in the year.

This is a challenging, strenuous hike but with some absolutely incredible views of 4 alpine lakes -…read morethe spectacular Upper Salmon Lake, . . . then, Horse Lake . . . the pristine, Deer Lake . . . and if you make it to the top, you will also be rewarded with a scenic view of Summit Lake. It is 7 3/4 miles out and back if you go all the way to Summit Lake. Be prepared as this requires a 1,200 foot elevation gain hike, so you will have some very challenging climbs up the mountains. You can, of course, cut the hike short, as I have done twice, and consider Deer Lake the return point. Elevation: ~7,400 ft. Difficulty: Trail around Upper Salmon Lake is Moderate . . . Climbs to Deer and Summit Lakes are stenuous Hiking Season: June to October Gold Lake Highway intersects with Highway 89 approximately 48 miles North of Truckee (1 1/2 miles South of Graeagle). Take Gold Lake Highway for 11.3 miles to the turnoff to the right for the Salmon Lakes. This road will dead end in ~1 mile at a parking lot adjacent to Upper Salmon Lake, from which the trailhead is accessible. Don't start your hike along the lakeside. Rather, from the parking lot, walk back up the road approximately 100 yards to the trailhead, which is marked "Upper Salmon Lake Trail".

Great trail for a fall hike. The steepest part is the downhill from the trailhead. Everything else…read moreis a series of gradual inclines and looping trails. Go left after crossing the swinging bridge and you'll come to the water treatment plant. The trail is well marked. I was able to see where I was on my iPhone map the whole time. The bridge is a great photo op spot.

I wish it a bit longer of a path. But very kid-friendly. Path is well marked. Lots of fun things to…read moresee and interesting parts of the path. An old mine to the right of the trail. A wobbly suspension bridge (gulp). Lots of shade! Which was welcome on a very hot day. The water below looked lovely, but I didn't want to guide my 7-year old down there and get stuck. Definitely will need a shower after this hike! The tree canopy is delightful.

It's my first time hiking here to hunter creek falls and the view was amazing! It's all worth it…read moreonce you get to the falls! Check it out if you in the Reno area and like to hike.

My friend and I hiked this trail just recently. It was such a beautiful day couldn't wait to get…read moreout there. We got to the trail around 9am. It was a little cool at first but once we warmed up on the trail we started taking layers off. You're pretty much going up hill all the way. It got a rocky part of the way but not to bad. We would stop in the shade for a minute to cool off. Once you get to the trees you haven't much farther to go. The falls weren't as big as I thought it would be but still pretty. I mainly went for the exercise. It's a pretty good hike and I'll definitely go again.

We love this state park for camping, hiking, biking, fishing, and especially for the history! It is…read morean old gold mining town, and home to America's first downhill ski races! We love the museum and the volunteers who work there.

I don't want to be the one to spoil the secret, but I recently camped here, and it was incredible…read more I think this will probably be one of my favorite places to camp from now on. I stayed at Upper Jamison Creek, and loved it. I made reservations about a week ahead of time on Reservecalifornia.com My site was very spacious, private, and well shaded. There were lots of redwoods on my site, some purple irises, and even some snow plant. There are a few lovely short trails that run throughout the park, like the one mile hike from the campground to the Visitor Center, or an extra mile to Camp Lisa or the Jamison Mine Complex. From the historic mine complex, the PCT is just three miles away. Or, you can also drive to the trail head and park there. In the other direction, the Trail carries on to a series of alpine lakes and waterfalls. Like other reviewers have said, it was very cold at night. Even in June, I needed both sleeping bags. There are several other amazing hikes within driving distance. If you look carefully, there are some free campgrounds, too. The only time this state park charges fees is to camp at the nicer campgrounds. All parking is free. Showers are free. Plumas Eureka is more accessible than some state parks. They Reserve disabled sites for people with disabled passes, which is something to keep in mind if you have a pass and are looking for a site at the last minute. Lots of gorgeous lakes and opportunities for kayaking, too. Pretty much as good as it gets for a state campground.