Loon Lake - A Terrific Secluded Retreat
Comments(3)On a whim last weekend, I ran away to a secluded alpine reservoir resting a top the vast expanse of the great Sierra Nevada mountain range. Loon lake (and the adjoining Pleasant Lake depending on the water levels) is a man made reservoir situated over a mile above sea level in the El Dorado National forest and less than 30 statue miles from Lake Tahoe. Its remote location makes for great camping: the high altitude chases away most types of flying insects, the lake water is pristine and clear (and drinkable with an appropriate water filtration system), and although the access road ends at the north dam of the lake, the forest service’s designated campsites and campgrounds are limited to the south shore. Naturally, one does not drive 4 hours out of the bay area to rub elbows with other fellow campers so I’ve always set my sights on the north shore beyond the reaches of the north dam and the gravel access road that leads up to it.
For all you off-roaders out there, the north dam is coincidentally the trailhead for the highly popular Rubicon jeep trail that snakes its way through the Sierras and then dumps its human cargo on the shores of Lake Tahoe.
The lake truly offers a little of something for everyone… Read more »
