Primer on Rubicon & Fordyce Creek Trails

[Fast Eddy]

I've done the Bowman to Bassett's (via meadow lake and Jackson's) Before. It's the bit from Bassetts (or Downeyville) up to Gold Lake and Spider lake that I've never done.

From Bassett's it's just up Gold Lake Hwy to a well-marked (left) turn-off for Gold Lake. There's a boat ramp sign at the turn-off. The OHV starts down that driveway to the left. Stay right (along the lake) on the OHV to get to the campsite. I've made it to camp in 2wd with the rear locker just to see if I could, so a TRD Prerunner could probably make it.

The interactive map shows the Spider Lake loop, due west of the OHV camp

Plumas National Forest - Gold Lake 4x4 Campground

Plumas National Forest - Gold Lake 4x4 Campground

www.fs.usda.gov

Gold Lake OHV is the one that is at 8pm from the lake. I'd do Spider Lake loop clockwise:

12E68 Summit Lake Tr
0093-003 Pauley Creek Tr aka Babyheads
11E67 Gold Valley OHV Tr
Right on 12E66-C25
Left past Snake Lake and up the terrifying hill (never done it myself)
Option to go right on 12E67, before Snake Lake (or go back) and up to Little Deer Lake
In either case, right on 12E66-C20 at the top and left on Deer Lake OHV back to camp.

It's a fairly long day trip. The Little Deer Lake option is less terrifying, but it has a squeeze rock that will probably scrape an 80 and for-sure a 100-series, and a boulder ledge right up near the top that requires skinny-pedal, double lockers or winching.

Anyone who doesn't want to do hard wheeling can go left at the top of Gold Lake OHV on 12E66 Lotalakes OHV (never heard it called that) to 11E29 Gold Lake Rim MC Tr. Don't try to go down to Deer Lake. Then on to Packer Saddle and up to the top of the Sierra Buttes. Surprisingly it's not shown on the interactive map, but it's been open to within 1/2 mile of the top any time I've ever gone up there. The view is fantastic. From the Buttes it's a little faster back to camp to take Packer Lake Rd. There's amazing spring water at Packsaddle campground.

 

[workingdog]

Ya butt .... can't you go in from Downieville - for even more fun?

 

[surfpig]

See my post above. I can't say enough good things about the Lakes Basin/Gold Lake area. Watch the crazy jeepers go down Snake Lake Tr. I'd recommend going up it instead. There's a @jcardona1 video in there too.

Google Search

www.google.com

If you get serious, I'll work out a route through the forest from Truckee to Basset's with a stop-over at Webber Falls.

Dammit, I was just out that way in early october. Did not know about the falls. I went from Truckee to Meadow Lake to Bowman Lake. But I was looking for some other stuff...

Next year maybe I'll link up all that with Gold Lakes area. Definitely want to spend some more time up there...

 

[Fast Eddy]

Dammit, I was just out that way in early october. Did not know about the falls. I went from Truckee to Meadow Lake to Bowman Lake. But I was looking for some other stuff...

Next year maybe I'll link up all that with Gold Lakes area. Definitely want to spend some more time up there...

It would be cool to have a kayak or some such to explore the small lakes and camp along the way.

The falls are right off of Henness Pass Rd, but you can't see them, and AFAIK there is no sign. There's a dirt lot though. I suspect they are pretty spectacular in the spring. I've always been in mid-summer. In mid-summer swimming in the pools is a thing.

 

[surfpig]

It would be cool to have a kayak or some such to explore the small lakes and camp along the way.

The falls are right off of Henness Pass Rd, but you can't see them, and AFAIK there is no sign. There's a dirt lot though. I suspect they are pretty spectacular in the spring. I've always been in mid-summer. In mid-summer swimming in the pools is a thing.

Yup. Just didn’t know about it. Drove right by. Here is little truckee, a bit before you get to that lake:

 

[Fast Eddy]

@surfpig have you heard anything about the "new" concession/store/lodging at Webber Lake?

Answering my own question: The Webber Lake Hotel is on the Nat'l Reg of Historic Places, but doesn't seem to be open. The campground is open and the fishing is said to be great.