Awesome trail as always. It's easy to get a bit lost on the beginning as there are lots of little…read moreside trails off here and there. GPS is helpful for this. It's a steady climb up to the first lake. Cool crossing over the train tracks. You do hear I-80 for a lot of the hike even when it's mikes away so it's not a remote hike at all.

Loch Leven trail begins at Placer County Road and ends at High Loch Leven Lake in the Tahoe…read moreNational Forest. It is about 8 mile out-and-back trail near Soda Springs, California. The trail begins 200 yards east of the Big Bend Fire Station on old U.S. 40 (Big Bend exit off I-80). A restroom is available at the trailhead. The trail begins across the road from the parking area. A designated parking lot is limited but parking is available along the road. Hiking can be challenging due to its high elevation and heat. I would rate this hiking trail as moderate as the trail works its way upward on a moderately steep climb. Granite outcroppings and glacial erratic starts along the first portion of the route, and the trail can be difficult to follow on the bare rock sections. The trail is a bit difficult to find at times but you can look for enough signs and cairns displayed by previous hikers. Don't get lost. Look carefully for the hiking trail! As the trail ascends, it crosses minor hogbacks and depressions, generally trending upward. Prior to the railroad tracks, you see the markers for a buried telephone trunk line, and petroleum pipeline that they cross. Near the tracks, a small bridge spans a creek that flows swift and cold in early season. Be careful with the train tracks. Don't get trapped! The railroad tracks are on the original 1860s route of the Central Pacific railroad, built by hand with Chinese labor. It is still a major freight and passenger route in and out of California as I saw two long trains passing by. After crossing the tracks, the trail becomes steeper, going from 6,000' to 6,800' in 1.25 miles. At the top of the ridge, the trail descends gradually into the Loch Leven lakes basin. The trail in the basin is primarily level, but follows the topography. At the south end of lower Loch Leven, a trail junction continues left to middle and high Lochs, or right to Salmon Lake. Fishing is good, and camping is dispersed throughout the basin. Campfire permits are required for campfires, backpacking stoves, BBQs, and lanterns. It took us about 5.5 hours to complete, including breaks, and time to enjoy the lakes. I would start around 8am although we did not get to the trail head until 1030am. There are plenty of cool tree shades and tree tunnels It seems to be popular for backpacking, camping, and fishing, so we encountered other people while hiking. The best times to visit this trail are May through October. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. Please pick up all your poop bags. Garbage in, garbage out please. Sun block, mosquito repellent, and adequate hydration and food snacks are definitely important! We must try our best to keep nature is clean and stay beautiful! Magic is definitely here!!

Nestled in the heart of the Sierra Nevada mountains, Wrights Lake is a sparkling sapphire gem that…read moreoffers breathtaking natural beauty and a wealth of outdoor recreation opportunities. Located off U.S. Highway 50, 22 miles east of Pollock Pines at an elevation of 7,000 feet, the lake boasts majestic mountain vistas and is home to an abundance of wildlife, including bears, mountain lions, deer, and bald eagles. Visitors can experience the fresh, pine-scented air, fish the lake's fertile waters, and let their troubles drift away as they gently rock in rhythm with the swaying pines. It is a perfect place to paddle and camp! Check it out here: https://www.paddlingcalifornia.com/Wrights_Lake.html

Nice little lake. OFF the beaten path. Perfect for kayaking, no bites on trout, but still worth it.read more

It's incredibly beautiful! If you want to swim, fish, camp or hike the area! I stopped for a brief…read more time to get away from people. The water is cold and refreshing and mostly people stay to themselves.

They have basically eliminated day use facilities at this lake…read more If you go to jones fork day use parking outside the camp lot is filled at 530am on monday with extra cars from campground. If you goto azalea trailhead lot was full as well. I managed to get a space at bike trailhead next to big silver group but cars that cant make it to bassi falls trailhead park there. Also both bike campground had organizations taking up most of the sites 3-5 tents per site with a large mongolian yurt style tent in the center with pine needles and pollen/dust on the roof. There were 4 sites in azalea not being used but those will be the only legal campsites if you did not book 6-8 week in advance at 41 dollars a night. They made everything between loon lake and ice house junction/store a national recreation area which makes camping outside a campground illegal.

Lots of shops to explore right near a couple big casinos that are in Nevada. The shops are in…read moreCalifornia. We tried Rock Fizz and the pretzels and ice cream were okay. The lake can be seen from the shops and it is a beautiful view. Next time we come back we'll try the gondola and explore the top of that Mounties.

Is this the listing to review the lake? I'm unsure because Lake Tahoe *has* to have more than 100…read morereviews. It has to. If I am reviewing the wrong listing please feel free to move. And if Lake Tahoe (the lake) has less than 100 reviews, what are we even doing? This needs to be fixed! One of my childhood friends invited a group of us to his lake house up in North Lake Tahoe in the middle of fall.* Not being from the area, I didn't know what this meant. Once I arrived, I realized that I missed my calling to be a Real Housewife. *This* is what life should be about. I don't think this is high season for visitors. I don't recall seeing that many people. As a result, the lake felt much more local than touristy and I enjoyed every second of it. If there's any wonder as to whether we live in a simulation, Lake Tahoe might be proof that we do. It's impossibly beautiful. It's impossibly blue. The still waters run deep (like, scary deep; don't go on these waters without a life vest). AFAIK motor boats are forbidden on the lake so you'll need to experience it via kayak, paddleboard or by some other means of muscle power. But however you do it, you need to do it. I don't think I've been that relaxed or in awe of nature in a very long time. The grandeur of the lake is something you can only really experience in person. I used to live in Chicago. I'm very acquainted with Lake Michigan. I've been to Minnesota. I've been all over those lakes. Nothing is like Lake Tahoe. From every vantage point, it's a postcard. Note, postcard and not Insta-post. Unplug here. If ever you want to be one with nature and be present in its fullness, it's here. Put your phone away. Get on to the water. Look all around in any direction. You'll be stunned into silence by how small you are and how gorgeously perfect this bastion of Mother Nature is. If you haven't been, you have to change that. You have to. Protect it. Respect it. Be grateful for it. *I've learned that there's a North/South divide.

Beautiful territory, but it was packed with people on Saturday. My friends chose to go. Lol. None…read morethe less there are many lakes in that territory. All beautiful and full of life. None the less a great place to check out.

You have to hike up to the lake from the campground, you can't even see the lake from campsites…read more Not alot of shoreline to day camp, and can get quite busy on weekends and holidays, as more and more people hear about the lake. The silvertip day use area cost $5 to park. It can get very busy; you might have to park outsite day use area and walk in. Nice lake for kayaking and sup. Beware there are lots of water snakes. I have had problems with people allowing their dogs to run free. Also, the lake gets very low by August, wher you have to walk a ways down to the water. If it wasnt so convenient for me, I probably would go somewhere else.

Backround On Donner Lake: Named after the Donner Party, a group of pioneers who became trapped in…read morethe Sierra Nevada Mountains during the winter of 1846-47. The lake was originally known as Truckee Lake, but was renamed in their memory. The Donner Party's ill-fated journey and subsequent struggle for survival has made the area a place of both historical significance and tragedy Background On Visit: Reading articles about things to do near Lake Tahoe, we decided to visit this place. Location/Parking: Located along Donner Pass Rd.. Free parking on the west end of the lake. Ambiance: The views of the pine trees and water are very nice when you drive along Donner Pass Rd.. Probably be more enjoyable as a passenger. Perhaps next time. Entertainment: 1) Boating and Water Sports: Rent boats, kayaks, paddleboards, or hydrobikes at Donner Lake Watersports. 2) Fishing: Donner Lake is known for kokanee salmon and various trout species. 3) Swimming: Enjoy the lifeguard-staffed West End Beach Park or swim at the public piers. 4) Hiking Trails Donner Lake For Thought: Choose Donner Lake for a more serene and accessible experience with a unique history and warmer water. :)

Right off of I-80 in Truckee this is one of the coolest…read moreplaces of the Sierra. Donner Lake is a true mountain getaway for activities from boating & fishing in the summer to snowshoeing in winter. Although it's a fraction in size to its bigger sibling Lake Tahoe, it offers a more relaxed alternative and just as many options of things to do on and off the water. Don't miss Donner State Park while visiting the lake. It is a giant part of local history.

I am one of those people that actually loves stopping at rest stops. Not just to stretch or use the…read morerestroom, but to totally enjoy nature at its finest. And this place ranks as one of the better rest stops I've been to. This is none other than "Donner Summer Westbound - Nevada County". Located on westbound I-80 (which is Reno to Sacramento), this particular rest stop is located just a few miles west of Truckee and is actually part of the California State Department of Transportation. This place does offer ample parking with a sizable lot that is easily capable of accommodating all vehicle sizes. One great thing about this place is their dedicated restrooms. It is housed in a stone building which is much needed since the 7,000 ft elevation can bring very cold and harsh conditions from fall through spring. And I will say that I've been here a few times during December/January where the temperature can drop below 0°F so make sure to bring warm clothes if you choose to exit your vehicle. Finally, inside also houses two vending machines; one for snacks and the other for drinks. However, many people don't know a lot about the history that took place here back in the 1840's. Many of the settlers of the ill-fated Donner party had to resort to cannibalism to survive. Sadly, many of the died of the harsh inclement elements as well as lack of food on their journey. There is also a giant plaque on a boulder commemorating this moment in California's early history. You will also encounter a decent sized Indian totem in close proximity. Since I am a huge history buff, I enjoy actual sites where all of this transpired. Aside from all of that, the views here are incredible, especially for a rest stop. If you walk a little off the beaten path that has 100+ foot trees, a rocky/snowy hiking area, and even a small lake surrounded by plants and other foilage. During my most recent visit which was on Saturday 7/1/2023 at around 7:30pm, there was still a fairly decent amount of rock hard snow on the ground that was remnants of the late spring storms this area got. With that said and done, I am giving the "Donner Summer Westbound - Nevada County" an above average four-star rating.

On Sunday my mom, toddler and I stopped by to take a restroom break and build a snow man. This stop…read moreis just 6 miles from the true and tragic story of the Donner party in the year 1846-1847 who had to resort to survival cannibalism after completely running out of food as a last resort. They walked so many miles that their feet left bloody trails behind and probably half of the party parished. For the complete story watch The Donner Party: What really happened on Youtube from Mortician Caitlin Doughty. After doing some research of my own she explained it the best. I would recommend making a stop to take a little walk in the snow before it melts or take a leak. I mean when you have to go you have to go right and they're plenty of stalls!? When we visited the vending machines were not filled in case you're looking for a bite, they could have been re-stocking tho. We'll definitely be back next time we're in the area!

I'm not big on camping, but I'll do it. The campgrounds is off the beaten path. We had to take a…read morewindy road to get there. Our group site had plenty of trees that provided shade. There were no showers at this location and only vault toilets, which I was weary of. Even so, it wasn't too bad as we were there only two nights. It got quite dark at night, especially since there was a fire restriction- no campfire. There aren't any hiking trails that I know of, but there is a reservoir close by if you want to swim or do other water activities. Be aware there is very limited cell phone coverage and there are no stores close by.

First time camping trip this past weekend (June) and we selected this campground based on the…read morepositive reviews and it's location near a lake. We brought jet skis and rafts and did not get to use them. Our first night went smoothly, not too chilly and our campsite was clean and dry and we loved our fire pit. However, the weather changed in the early morning the following day and it proceeded to pour down the rest of the weekend. It was 50 degrees or less with wind and we were trying to get on the lake, it's also important to note that there is a bit of a current, so visitors should be careful, especially with children. Our camp host Michael was friendly overall and helpful when we ran out of lighter fluid. I can not stress this enough; create a checklist and pack accordingly!!! There is no store except back in Foresthill, an hour and a half drive up the windy roads. Double up on the essentials like fire wood, lighter fluid, gas for coals, and hand sanitizer! I found it odd that there were some bathrooms with sinks and others without. Also, there are one toilet bathrooms and bathrooms with 2 stalls, but you have to look all over for them. I was grateful we had no wildlife run ins except for the occasional raccoon and giant spider. It's a very remote and quiet campground, I loved that we had no reception because it's forced our group to be present and enjoy the wilderness. I don't know if I would return to this campground because of the bathrooms and it's distance on windy narrow roads, but it was an experience I am glad I had!