I'm looking for an easy overnight for my girlfriend. Maybe 3-5 miles round trip. Something on a creek or lake would be nice. And within 2 hours driving.

Any suggestions?

Lake Margret HWY 88---3 mile hike to a great fishing and swimming lake


This past July

Two hours puts you almost to the Desolation Wilderness. Twin-Lakes is within your round-trip mileage and Island Lake is just a little further uphill. I've never been but I've put it on my list as an easier overnight. Someone has a bunch of photos from a few years ago here.

Desolation Wilderness, Eldorado NF

Twin Lakes TH at the end of Wrights Lake Campground, hike 3 miles (6,980' - 8,000') east to Twin Lakes add another .5 mile to Island Lake (zone 32). Six miles total, not five, but pretty easy walking.

Directions to Twin Lakes TH:

From Highway 50 approximately four miles east of Kyburz, turn left on the Wrights Lake Road and continue north for eight miles to the Wrights Lake Campground. At the campground take the right fork for the Twin Lakes Parking Area.

Red Tape:

Obtain a Wilderness Permit from the Pacific Ranger District for zone 32 on the way up the hill:

PACIFIC RANGER DISTRICT

7887 Highway 50
Pollock Pines, CA 95726-9602
Phone: 530-644-2349
Fax: 530-647-5405
Office Hours: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Fall Schedule: 6 days a week (after Labor Day)
Winter Schedule: Monday - Friday

Twin-Island lakes are a pretty destination. Lyons Creek headed towards Maude and Lyons lakes is nice too. Desolation will be crowded the next two weekends, though.

Off I-80 are the N. Fork American River, Loch Leven Lakes and the Castle Peak area, all west of the summit.

South on the PCT at Carson Pass (88) has plenty of lakes.

Cheers,

Rick

Twin Lakes has a lot more to offer as far as potential campsites than Island Lake, in case you're tempted to continue up to camp.

Lake Dardenelle off of Hwy 89 between Hwy 88 and Hwy 50...superb scenery

Island Lake, taken from the north.



Cheers,

Rick

If you squint really hard you can see our tents down there...

Mmmmmmmmmm I want to go there

If you don't mind a few miles of washboard, dirt road, take 20 off of 80 by Spaulding Lake and go up to Carr, Feeley, Island, lakes. Go by Bear Valley CG and Fuller Lake not by Spaulding Lake, good paved road until you turn off to Carr/Feeley Lakes. Labor Day weekend will be packed at the limited parking is all. Lots of lakes back in there. Clean up after yourself, so many untrained people go there and can leave a mess. Easy hike in unlike Loch Levin Lakes. Loch Levin Lakes is mostly UP until you get to the first lake.

Duane

Thank you all.