Eagle Lakes 7/6 ~ 7/7

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jcardona1

jcardona1

Joined
Aug 12, 2011
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Location
Sacramento, CA
Anybody plan on doing some wheeling this weekend? All my buddies are busy so I plan on heading out to Eagle Lakes for some light wheeling and an overnight camping trip. It will just be the wife and I, with the dogs. This will be my first time out to EL so I hope I don't get lost. From what I've read/seen it looks like Driveline (Driveshaft?) Hill is the hardest part of the trail?

My plan is to camp near the lakes at what I think is the end of the EL trail, somebody correct me if I'm wrong.

Found a few pics for those who wanna get an idea of the 'hard' sports

Here's some info on getting to the trail provided by matttaylor

matttaylor1976 said:
The basics:

There is a sign pointing towards Fordyce, but basically, once you hit the trailhead, drive straight, at the first Y (there is a big sign board and "toilet in a bag dispenser)":

veer left for campgrounds, river and Pierce OHV area
straight is EL trail

next Y:
straight is EL trail to the lake
right is Fordyce there is a sign at this point that points to Fordyce and the remainder of the Eagle Lakes trail

The whole trail has signs, but you have to really look for them in some areas.

Edit: When I'm up there I'll grab some quick gps readings on the major "intersections". For quick reference, go on Google Maps and look up Carlyle Rd, Tahoe National forest. Carlyle road is EL trail. if you zoom out, you will see signal peak (trail is closed currently). Grouse Ridge road is the way you head at the first Y.
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Have fun ill be down at the river if your wheeling towards bowman area
 
temple said:
He said he will be at Bowman lake.

jcardona. Make sue you know where you are going. You can get lost with a gps

Eagle lakes will be too easy and I've never seen a normal truck take driveline hill.
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Ah sorry didn't catch it the first time.

But your last sentence confuses me. You say EL is too easy but you've never seen a normal truck take driveline hill...what does that mean?? :)
 
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Driveline is pretty much the only obstacle on Eagle Lakes trail, trust me on this....use the bypass. Driveline itself is pretty tough for most rigs that go up there. I've only seen a stockish truck make it up once, but i've watched countless others blow u-joints and drive shafts.

I'm not sure what he means about getting lost, the main trail is super easy to follow, and if you use gps, just stay on Carlyle road, grouse ridge takes you towards camping and a river. Just to clarify, Carlyle road is EL trail. It continues on past the end, but that is where the road splits, to the right is Fordyce, straight is a lake.

 
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If you take grouse ridge, you will eventually hit a T in the road. Turning right goes to "pierce OHV" area, I've only gone about 1/2 a mile that way, not much there. Turning left is camp spots, and a river crossing which leads to more trails and a way out towards Spaulding / Bowman lake. Still have not found the exit but i will eventually find it.

The end of El trail is a mosquito infected lake, with lots of fish, it's actually a pretty cool spot, just be sure to bring bug spray.
 
Wish I could go! I'm up on jackstands waiting for parts...have fun and stay safe!
 
i going up to Loon Lake 7-5--7-6

camping on the other side of LOON LAKE.....
bringing two school aged kids...testing my sail boat....
 
Hey guys - thanks for all the tips! We had some friends want to tag along last minute so I made a change in plans. They drive a Toyota Matrix :lol: so we headed off to an area that was supposed to be easier to reach. Well, their car started bottoming out so they had to park while I went to find a place and dropped off my stuff. I then came back and took them to the campsite. So I couldn't do as much exploring as I wanted to but it was great trip. And I think they're in love with the outdoors now and are even considering selling one of their cars for a newish Toyota SUV :)

We ended up near Bowman Lake and Sawmill Lake. Here's a few pics

Driving into Bowman Lake
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Found a campsite!
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Campsite
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My wife (on the left) an our two mutts
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The road into Sawmill Lake
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Sawmill Lake, one of the most beautiful lakes I've ever seen!
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Sawmill Lake spilling into Canyon Creek
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matttaylor1976 said:
Jose, If you want to swing by after the run, or need anything while you are up there let me know. I'll be around all weekend.
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Thanks Matt - But I've never been to your place before. You've had the meets at your house right? I'll have to make it next time!
 
Nice pics...Did you do any fishing?
 
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