FJ Cruisers of Northern California
Gold Lake area
My sons and I are thinking of going up to the Gold Lake area north of Tahoe. The week before July 4th.
My sons are backpackers and I am planning on enjoying base camp by myself. Any recommendations on camp spots that are near trail heads?
Views: 186
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by GHOST on
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Ok just making sure. There is the Gold Valley trail, Snake Lake trail, Deer Lake trail and many more trails. A good camping spot that is fairly close to trails would be along the back end of the 4x4 camping trail. It is directly off of the Gold lake highway. It is trail that follows along the shore of the southern end of Gold lake where many great camping spots are located. You can literally fish out of your tent. Also Little Deer lake has a camping spot that is great as well.
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Permalink Reply by Estysalinas on
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Will likey be pretty crowded near gold lake during the fourth. It's a pretty popular place.
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Permalink Reply by USA4X4 on
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Thanks for the information Ghost and Estysalinas. We are planning on being out of there by the 4th of July weekend. We are planning on heading up there the Sunday before. Never been up that way and am looking forward to seeing something different.
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Permalink Reply by potatomutato on
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the lakes basin area has a lot of great places to camp. be sure to check on fire restrictions that time of year. sometimes, restrictions get so strict that even motorized travel on trails is prohibited.
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Thanks for the reply potatomutato. Are there any moderate trails (4X4) in that area for exploring...plan on doing that while the others are backpacking.....
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Most trails in that area can be done in a stock FJC. The one trail that I would say is a moderate/difficult trail would be Snake Lake trail. If going counter clockwise (uphill) that trail is very lose and the hardest obstacle will require a locker to make it up and over. If going clockwise, it is not as hard because gravity will be giving you a hand going down but it can get tipsy. Here is a link with info on the Snake Lake trail and others in the area. http://4x4trailmaps.com/4x4Trails.php?Trail_ID=47
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Snake Lake is actually one of my all-time fave trails...although a few others would not agree.
btw, don't do Snake Lake alone!
there are a few minor obstacles here and there on the network of trails, like the part of Gold Valley trail to the west of Gold Lake. some areas can get rutted out and cause issues, but can be done stock for the most part as GHOST mentioned. you can check out some of the photos in my album:
Gold Valley and Sierra Buttes Trail July 2008
the trail down to Deer Lake is steep and a little loose and the section heading south at the top of the descent can look like a dead end, but you actually climb up and over the granite to continue on the trail.
feel free to PM me if you have more questions...fell in love with the area back in the mid-late 90s and have gone back for the past three years.
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100% Agree. Snake lake is an amazing trail! Lots of fun especially going the uphill route :-P
But take Taters words to heart, Snake Lake should be attempted with a buddy and i wouldn't take a stock FJ up it....but thats just me :-). I would rate it more difficult then deer valley and slick rock.
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Does snake lake have any campgrounds.......think it will be busy the week before the 4th?
Thanks to all for the great information and thanks for the link.
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yes, there is a small camping area right near the lake. i think it's pretty busy there all summer. key is to get a spot early...like on a Thursday. there are a lot of developed campgrounds along Gold Lake Highway if all the spots along the trails and lakes are taken. there are several spots along Gold Lake trail as well...may not be as scenic, but will do in a pinch and you'll be on the network of trails.
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