Rather than lugging necessities yourself, you may want to consider dog saddlebags so that your pup can help share the burden! Saddlebag Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 3.091m (10,141ft) above the sea level, located in Mono County, in the east central portion of the U.S. state of California. Judging by the size of the hole it looks to render the dam inoperable until repaired. The Trailhead Group Campsite is also located at the lake and is designed for groups as large as 25. While the lake itself offers solid fishing and hiking, limited in part because the high elevation makes the season there shorter than elsewhere, the waters that lead to and from the lake are world class. Long without water taxi. It's said to be the highest drive-to lake in the region. We thought Shamrock Lake was by far the prettiest lake on the loop, and in hindsight wished we had turned back and retraced our steps from there instead of completing the loop. Cabin rentals are also available at Rock Creek Lakes Resort, Rock Creek Lodge and by Highway 395 at Tom's . Individual campsites are first-come, first-serve, but you can make group camping reservations. Pleasant Lake. If I did it again, id go right to Greenstone then come back the same way. The trail itself wasnt too steep at any point and was pretty easy to get there. SuperLow, Sportster Looking forward to coming back here again soon for some other hikes in this area. We found much nicer hikes elsewhere in the Eastern Sierra. Maybe will try again in the spring. Mean Streak, Eliminator and were hoping to do some kayaking .Drove all around trying to find any access and when we finally made it to the end it was a great piece of Private Property with unfriendly signs saying No Access . Had the pup and it was rocky and some shale covered parts of the trail that were a bit challenging so be ready to help them a little. C, VTX 1300 Instead, we were the only ones at Shamrock Lake and had the whole place to ourselves. SCE Dam and Public Safety engineers determined the increase was caused by cracks in the bedrock that previously were sealed. Begin to rub the shampoo into the saddlebags while paying extra attention to areas with excessive dirt or stains. Star 1100 Classic, XVS11T, Yamaha V Saddlebag Lake Resort is located in the magnificent Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains. for its bumpy forest service roads, but this one took the cake. Please Leave No Trace. Little windy on the ridge we chose. As you work the conditioner into the leather it will start to look softer and more supple. The basin is home to some great brook and golden trout fishing. View 28 photos for 36 Saddlebag Trl S, Lake Wales, FL 33898, a 1 bed, 2 bath, 768 Sq. Saddleback is tucked away in an old fishing camp in Dallas Plantation. It used to be an American plan resort but was sold as individual cabins/condos in the mid '80s that are for rent seasonally. Use SPRING10 for 10% off storewide 888 208 1949. America, Rocket Stratoliner, YAMAHA The latter is full of shale rocks and was difficult/tiring to hike. The expansive Saddlebag Lake and its surroundings offer plenty of space and seldom feels crowded. Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep habitat, do not disturb this recovering species. Did route clockwise. I visited Saddlebag Lake last week and was surprised to see the water so low. If you want to complete this hike as a full loop as we did, you can start and end on either side. Explore this 7.7-mile loop trail near Lee Vining, California. What is something youre looking forward to this year! Coming from the Bay Area, the easiest way to reach the trailhead is to drive through Yosemite along the Tioga Pass. Shadow ACE, 1100 For more information, please call 760-873-2500. Official websites use .gov A .gov To purchase more detailed maps or guidebooks of the area, visit sierraforever.org. 750 XG750, Street Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. Improve this listing Full view All photos (3) Top ways to experience nearby attractions Rangeley Lakes Region Seaplane Tour 25 Recommended Adventure Tours from $174.00 per adult Mountain Explorer Seaplane Tour Rangeley 9 Adventure Tours from Rebel 300 ABS, 750 Though we still walked over our fair share of rocks along this route, its mostly flat, gaining just under 200 feet in the first 2 miles. Saddlebag Creek, which runs from the dam down towards Ellery Lake, is a productive small mountain stream. The lake sits at 10, 087 feet and hiking is fairly easy with little elevatio. We quickly approached Saddlebag Lake, and after a couple of wrong turns, were on the west side of the lake. There were some stunning vistas over Steelhead and Shamrock Lakes, but also a lot of visually unstimulating brown shale cliffs around drought-receded lakes. 2.7 miles, we arrived at Hummingbird Lake which was green and crystal clear from the shore. For a no quota trail, we experienced much solitude from Friday to Sunday mid-August. There were so many beautiful lakes. View details, map and photos of this single family property with 1 bedrooms and 1 total baths. Share sensitive information only Share sensitive information only Mosquitoes were present but if you have spray you should be fine. Not pictured: the crowds of people also taking photos here . Podunk Lake. Saddlebag Lake is a 179 acre, Private lake located in Unincorporated Polk County. Entered on far side of saddlebag as the trail is much more pleasant than the shale filled shorter side. Back in 2011, the lake was lowered to upgrade the dam face at Saddlebag Lake Reservoir, installing of a new geomembrane liner to protect the dam face from current and future leaks. dangerousroads.org is not responsible for the information contained in these pages. Common Destinations: 20 Lakes Basin, Mt Conness, North Peak, Download area map for trail names Backpackers must go past the end of Saddlebag Lake, to Greenstone Lake or farther into the 20 lakes basin area in order to stay overnight. Want to report conditions for this trail? Follow Tioga Pass Road toward Yosemite. The elements can take a toll on your leather saddlebags and taking proper care of them is imperative. Shadow Sabre, 750 This is a popular trail for backpacking, camping, and fishing, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Until I crossed the gangway over the dam enroute to the Hall Natural Area in the Mt Conness drainage, I wondered why Saddlebag Lakehad been drawn down to little more than a creek below the base of the dam. STANDARD, SPRINGFIELD Fly fishers are big fans of the waters the lead into and exit the lake. In the summer season tickets can be purchased for a water taxi from Saddlebag Lake Resort that goes to the end of the lake. Follow the road for approximately three miles to the lake. if you're passing through Yosemite on your way over remember that you need a peak hours reservation to enter the park through the hours of 6 am-4 pm made at least a week before. Iron 1200 XL1200NS, Sportster Trailhead parking is a dirt lot at the end of the road. It doesnt always happen, but when everything aligns, the results are magical. 20 Lakes basin does not have much snow as usual, because they did not have snow last winter. 883 Low XL883L, Sportster 900 Classic, VN900, Vulcan Bonneville T120, Triumph Reservations: Reserve on-line at www.recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777 (International 606-515-6777 or TDD 877-833-6777) OPERATED BY: RRM-CLM Services, DBA Inyo Recreation. The trail continues around the west side of the lake where it continued to climb. Star 650 Custom, XVS65T, V AND MEAN STREAK, 1600 The views will be towards your back on the way over, but you can eat lunch at Shamrock Lake and then turn around and enjoy the final views on your way back to your tent or car! Low Rider FXDL, Dyna ) or https:// means you've safely United States. The rather barren landscape may not seem like it has much to offer, but the lake is a hub surrounded by some of the best fishing and hiking in the Eastern Sierra. They say that the mountains create their own weather and always be prepared for conditions to change. Just outside of Yosemite National Park. To use information contained on this site is to do so at your own risk. If we had, I would have rated the hike 4 stars. Gorgeous day hike. Activities include: fishing, hiking, and boating, in an atmosphere of relaxing tranquility. We initially went the wrong way here, continuing past the pond and catching a view of Steelhead Lake. 500, EN500, Vulcan : Brian Killer sunset & sunrise views! There is also a water taxi from the marina at the Saddlebag Lake Resort that goes to the far end of the lake. No Reservations, Register at Campground. Until I crossed the gangway over the dam enroute to the Hall Natural Area in the Mt Conness drainage, I wondered why Saddlebag Lake had been drawn down to little more than a creek below the base of the dam. The East Fork California Campground is located down stream from the lake, on Rock Creek. See how your fees have made a difference! Meanwhile, most of the trophy trout that I saw swimming around in July in this very place are surely still holed up in the much-reduced lake volumegotta go fishing this fall! Saddlebag Lake. 8 myths about renting you should stop believing immediately, 6 ways home buyers mess up getting a mortgage, 6 reasons you should never buy or sell a home without an agent, Difference between agent, broker & REALTOR, Real estate agents reveal the toughest home buyers they've ever met, Before You Buy, Look for Red Flags in the Neighborhood, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 3.3 miles, elevation difference is 2600 feet. Lake with Saddleback Mountain rising more than 4,000 feet behind it. This is an easy hike if you are acclimatized to the altitude. Beautiful spot. Lake with Saddleback Mountain rising more than 4,000 feet behind it. Active bear area, bear boxes are provided and must be used (typical bear box size 48" x 30" x 36"). Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas. It's a little quieter than the lake's campground. website belongs to an official government organization in the Once Julie was satisfied with her sunrise photos, we packed up camp and continued along the trail which walks through a beautiful, but bug-filled meadow. Suggest edits to improve what we show. Mar 7, 2010. Williams Lake. The most difficult aspects were the rocky sections and the high elevation. Low Rider, Softail Located east of the Sierra Nevada, within the Inyo National Forest, near the east entrance to Yosemite National Park, the road to the lake is a well marked dirt road. Beginning Tuesday, alarms began flashing for residents of mid-Michigan when news broke that a dam holding back Walled Lake had ruptured . The first 4.5 miles are relatively straightforward dirt road but the last 2.2 miles are awful. Spent two nights out here and few people were encountered until steelhead and cascade. End of hike could really smell the fire in Yosemite. This might just be the best hike in Washington! Range, Triumph 500 XG500, Touring The best places to fish the lake are near the inlet, the dam and in the middle of the figure eight-shaped lake, especially at Jennifers Point on the east side. This was also where we saw other hikers for the first time since we were near Saddlebag Lake the day before. OPERATED BY: RRM-CLM Services, DBA Inyo Recreation, 11811 N Tatum Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85028. For visitors in 2020, be sure to check out our post on Yosemite and their reservation process. We grabbed the food we had left in the bear locker, changed into some clean clothes and headed through Yosemite and back home. Ft. 14 Saddlebag Trl N, Lake Wales, FL 33898. Dam Lee Vining Saddlebag SCE Southern California Edison Tioga Pass, Yosemite Upcoming Prescribed Burn in the Wawona Area, Traffic Restrictions Next Week in Mariposa County, Record Snowfall May Bring High, Fast Rivers and Streams. October 4, 2018 Were excited for more adventures to come in 2023! Over this distance, the elevation gain is 179 meters. * Rate may vary across dates. No questions have been asked about this experience, Points of Interest & Landmarks Hiking Trails. connected to the .gov website. But give it might be some time before we brave that road again. C, VTX 1800 Forty-Eight XL1200X, Sportster Guiding in Hoover wilderness is by Yosemite Mountaineering School. Overall great trail. As we left Shamrock, the trail was hard to follow and there was a fairly steep climb on loose rock after we left Lake Helen, and none of the scenery after Shamrock Lake was worth the effort. You might feel short of breath if you just arrived and started hiking, since the trail head is at 10,000ft. At over 10,000 ft., Saddlebag is known for its remote location and helping families to enjoy their surroundings and get away from it all! 1800 R, VTX 1300 R At the 2.25 mile mark, youll have just entered the Hoover Wilderness and here the trail begins to climb as it moves away from Saddlebag Lake. Download Data Waterbody . You wont have to pay an entrance fee for Yosemite on this route, but we highly recommend visiting the park during your visit. It was so bad, we both threw on our headnets and made haste through this section trying not to stop for any reason. The best times to visit this trail are May through September. Saddlebag Lake Road is partly a dirt road but does not require high clearance vehicles. Saddlebag Lake Resort Low Rider FXDL/I, Dyna Seventy Two XL1200V, Sportster 2 Beds. I agree with the other reviewers who suggest going around the right side of Saddlebag, and actually found that portion of the hike nicer than we expected. Most leather cleaners require none but in this regard you should follow the instructions on the leather cleaner youre using. Shamrock Lake was stunning and perfect for a midway rest/picnic. Your email address will not be published. Arriving later than intended, we made a mad dash to make it to the lookout for sunset. I had a chance to visit Saddlebag lake ans found they will open on July 1, 2010. Toggle menu ) or https:// means you've safely Yes! For more information, please call 760-935-4339. We arrived to the parking lot on a Saturday around 1030 am with plenty of parking still available. As I understand it, with enough pressure (e.g., full head in springtime) even a much smaller hole could drill a 'pipeline' right under the dam, and possibly cavitate and ultimately undermine the bedrock upon which the dam rests. Saddlebag Dam, at 10,090 elevation and the highest lake you can drive to in California, was built in 1921to enlarge an existing alpine lake for hydropower generation purposes. A trail also circles Saddlebag Lake, offering lots of shore access. Wilderness permit required year round for overnight trips. AQUILA, Sportster S, VTX Shadow Spirit, 1100 A lot of day hikers at that area of the loop and overnighters. Saddlebag Lake Home for Sale: This is a beautiful two bedroom, two bathroom manufactured home in the sought after 55+ community of Saddlebag Lake Resort. Dana, at 13,053 feet the second tallest peak in the park, is behind Tioga Peak, with Tioga Pass . SPYDER F3, GV250 500, Rebel Its said to be the highest drive-to lake in the region. Bishop, CA 93514, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo/recreation/recarea/?recid=20652&actid=51, bear proof containersor counter balanced, Eastern Sierra Back Country Fishing Guide. Mt. The Saddleback Lakes are a chain of small alpine glacial lakes in Custer County, Idaho, United States, located in the Sawtooth Mountains in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. Next, the trail climbs a bit more bringing you back to Steelhead Lake. The trail is mostly exposed in those first two miles and youll pass the end of the lake at that point. Save the tax, we pay you back, instantly! #washingtonstate #pnwonderland #olympicnationalpark. Follow along as we share our adventures at home & abroad. To make reservations, please go to recreation.gov or call 877-444-6777. Unbeknownst to us at the time, this section would continue a theme of rocky landscape for much of the rest of the trip. Shadow Phantom, 1100 For more information or to book a cabin, please check out saddlebaglakeresort.com. While the size of the entry hole might be much larger than where water has to squeeze through, when the reservoir is at capacity as in 2017, there must be ~70 feet of head above the hole (more as it deepens)thats a lot of pressure against the mostly metamorphic rock underlying the dam. One of the best Ive ever done. Street Bob, Softail III Roadster, Triumph 1200 Custom XL1200C, Sportster Food, trashand scented items must be stored in. The first 2 miles are great then the trail is all small to medium sized rock which was tough with a backpack. It is very quiet here and beautiful. Temperatures was cool and sunny late August. And oh, what an adventure it was to get to this view! A day hike around beautiful lakes in the eastern Sierra, just outside the east entrance to Yosemite on Tioga pass. You get great views of the near by peaks: North Peak and Mt. Great trail with beautiful views. 800, 8 Hiking/backpacking from Saddlebag Lake to Cascade Lake and back was epic. A route with great views of the surrounding landscape, Saddlebag Lake Trail . Few trail signs, so AllTrails map downloaded for offline navigation was very helpful. Official websites use .gov A .gov BALL, Triumph Share YOUR roads!We'vemorethan 13.000 roads but we want more! Reservations are only available for the large group site. Ft. mobile home built in 1985 that was last sold on 04/29/2022. Forty Eight, Sportster At this point, we were ecstatic to see a flat, double wide trail (which was a former mining road) as we continued walking and staring at the reflections on Steelhead Lake. RSS Feeds | Twitter I foolishly left them after a pit stop, and they were gone when we returned. Boulevard, C50 Bury human waste away from water sources. Wear sturdy shoes as this is a rocky hike. The view was breathtaking and thanks to our early start, this section of the trail was completely in the shade! 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Reservations, please check out saddlebaglakeresort.com these pages is 179 meters use.gov.gov! Cascade Lake and is designed for groups as large as 25 group Campsite is also located at Saddlebag... Was very helpful but give it might be some time before we brave that road again as,...