Lakes Basin, CA/Gold Lake Campground

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   We just returned from 6 days at the Gold Lake Campground in the Lakes Basin Recreation Area (LBRA) in the Plumas and nearby Tahoe National Forests.  With an average elevation of about 6000 ft, it was high enough to drop the temperature by 15-20 degrees and make the weather just perfect (although the fish would have appreciated cooler weather).  The entire area is a breathtaking mix of alpine and subalpine terrain with lots of rock faces, snowfields and trees.Not as well known as Yosemite, Tahoe and Shasta, LBRA is located 4 hours from San Francisco and 1 hour from Reno and a hidden gem in California.  80% of the visitors seem to be from Nevada.
We came from Vancouver, WA (Portland Oregon suburb) for a 10-hour trip to the campground.  The final climb from Graeagle (pronounced Gray Eagle, by the locals) is a 6% grade from 4500' to 6400'.
The entrance road to Gold Lake Campground is paved with potholes, and all campground roads are dirt/rock with large ditches and rock piles.  Even so, there were a surprising number of 5th wheel and large motorhomes in the campsite.  Go very slow.  The campsite itself is very rugged and there is no water source available.  We learned that there was a spigot at the nearby Lakes Basin campground and Bear Loop trailhead, but we never did check them out.   The toilets were primitive, clean and well maintained.  There are bear boxes at each campsite and a garbage dumpster that is emptied every Tuesday.  The young volunteer camp host Lauren has been there since May and has reported only 1 sighting of a bear so far this year. 
Sites 1-11 seem to be the most accommodating for RVs.  Get there early in the week to get a site.

Gold Lake Campground Site 11

There is a very nice boat launch and there was a variety of canoes, kayaks, floaties, speedboats, fishing boats and pontoon boats on the lake.  The fishing report for Gold Lake was poor but the nearby Lower and Upper Sardine reported good fishing.  There are several resorts and lodges in the area and the Lower Sardine Lake resort rents fishing boats by the day, 1/2 day and hour.
There are several nice hiking trails in the area, but don't be surprised when Frazier "Falls" doesn't have any water.  Also, the Sardine interpretive trail signs highlight our governments attempt at saving money with the inclusion of several spelling mistakes.

Lower Sardine Lake

If you run down to Graeagle for ice, plan your trip around a visit to the Brewing Lair.  An outside brewery that opens at noon and serves beer and a delicious shandy.  Bring lunch and lawn chairs as they don't serve food.  Occasionally a food truck is there and music on Saturdays.

I would give it my highest rating and my wife is already planning our return trip.  
Next week we'll be at Deception Pass State Park in Puget Sound for a bit of a contrasting camping experience.

Sean Whitney
2002 F150 Triton V8
2016 F179 HRE

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disputin Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 03 Jan 2018 Location: WA Online Status: Offline Posts: 27	Topic: Lakes Basin, CA/Gold Lake Campground Posted: 23 Jul 2018 at 7:38pm
	We just returned from 6 days at the Gold Lake Campground in the Lakes Basin Recreation Area (LBRA) in the Plumas and nearby Tahoe National Forests. With an average elevation of about 6000 ft, it was high enough to drop the temperature by 15-20 degrees and make the weather just perfect (although the fish would have appreciated cooler weather). The entire area is a breathtaking mix of alpine and subalpine terrain with lots of rock faces, snowfields and trees. Not as well known as Yosemite, Tahoe and Shasta, LBRA is located 4 hours from San Francisco and 1 hour from Reno and a hidden gem in California. 80% of the visitors seem to be from Nevada. We came from Vancouver, WA (Portland Oregon suburb) for a 10-hour trip to the campground. The final climb from Graeagle (pronounced Gray Eagle, by the locals) is a 6% grade from 4500' to 6400'. The entrance road to Gold Lake Campground is paved with potholes, and all campground roads are dirt/rock with large ditches and rock piles. Even so, there were a surprising number of 5th wheel and large motorhomes in the campsite. Go very slow. The campsite itself is very rugged and there is no water source available. We learned that there was a spigot at the nearby Lakes Basin campground and Bear Loop trailhead, but we never did check them out. The toilets were primitive, clean and well maintained. There are bear boxes at each campsite and a garbage dumpster that is emptied every Tuesday. The young volunteer camp host Lauren has been there since May and has reported only 1 sighting of a bear so far this year. Sites 1-11 seem to be the most accommodating for RVs. Get there early in the week to get a site. Gold Lake Campground Site 11 There is a very nice boat launch and there was a variety of canoes, kayaks, floaties, speedboats, fishing boats and pontoon boats on the lake. The fishing report for Gold Lake was poor but the nearby Lower and Upper Sardine reported good fishing. There are several resorts and lodges in the area and the Lower Sardine Lake resort rents fishing boats by the day, 1/2 day and hour. There are several nice hiking trails in the area, but don't be surprised when Frazier "Falls" doesn't have any water. Also, the Sardine interpretive trail signs highlight our governments attempt at saving money with the inclusion of several spelling mistakes. Lower Sardine Lake If you run down to Graeagle for ice, plan your trip around a visit to the Brewing Lair. An outside brewery that opens at noon and serves beer and a delicious shandy. Bring lunch and lawn chairs as they don't serve food. Occasionally a food truck is there and music on Saturdays. I would give it my highest rating and my wife is already planning our return trip. Next week we'll be at Deception Pass State Park in Puget Sound for a bit of a contrasting camping experience. Sean Whitney 2002 F150 Triton V8 2016 F179 HRE
	Sean & Christine Whitney 2002 F150 2016 179HRE

lostagain Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 06 Sep 2016 Location: Quaker Hill, CT Online Status: Offline Posts: 2586	Posted: 23 Jul 2018 at 9:35pm
	Thanks for the heads up Sean. Since we are only about an hour and a half away, we're going to have to try it out before the end of the season. This sounds like a really nice location, especially as September comes along and the crowds thin out. Lack water is becoming an increasing issue as the Forest Service funds disappear and they can't maintain, or repair existing systems, much less install new potable water sources. When we went to Silver Creek, about an hour and a half south of Reno, we had to take on water at another campground we passed on the way. It's always helpful to know the actual water situation
	Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost

GlueGuy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 15 May 2017 Location: N. California Online Status: Offline Posts: 2627	Posted: 23 Jul 2018 at 11:04pm
	We've been to Graeagle and can confirm it's a beautiful area. Thanks for the report Sean.
	bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost