Adventuring in Your National Forest
By Kristi Schroeder

The Eldorado National Forest and Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit manage a wide diversity of outdoor recreation opportunities from hiking, horseback riding, backpacking, and rock climbing to off-highway vehicles.

Winding their way through the forest is more than 60 nonwilderness trails for hikers, mountain bikers and equestrian riders. Located in the vicinity of Sly Park Reservoir, the Fleming Meadow trail system is perfect for people seeking a close place to day hike and is accessible most of the year. You can customize your hike by combining trail segments of varying length and difficulty. From the Hell Hole country in the north to Highway 88 to the south, the National Forest trails offer the perfect nature experience for young and old and for all experience levels.

Backpacking in Desolation and Mokelumne wilderness areas offers a remote, primitive experience for the knowledgeable backpacker. Hint: Many areas of the wilderness are highly popular due to their relatively easy access to the highways. Avoid these areas if you want a real wilderness experience. With a little extra time and fitness, you can reach some of the lesser-used areas or the interior zones. It will be worth it. Permits are required for wilderness areas year-round.

Near Highway 50, rock climbers will find several noteworthy climbing areas. Lovers Leap by Strawberry has challenging rock with easy access. The Phantom Spires north of the highway via Wrights Lake road is an excellent climb in late spring or early summer.

The National Forest offers three trail systems for the off-highway vehicle enthusiast. The premier Rock Creek trail system just outside of Georgetown has provided riding opportunities for motorcyclists for several decades. Between Highway 50 and 88, off the North-South road, is the Elkins Flat Trail system, which contains 65 miles of roads and trails of varying levels of difficulty. Linked with this area is the Gold Note trail system, providing 28 miles of trail for motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles.

Four-wheeling adventure can be found on the Eldorado. For those thinking about dipping their toes into this type of recreation, the Strawberry OHV trail running between Highway 50 and 88 is a good start. If you are experienced and seeking a more challenging adventure, the world-renowned Rubicon 4WD trail starting north of Loon Lake and exiting above Tahoma in the Lake Tahoe Basin is an excellent run. This Class 5 trail is not for your average four-wheel-drive vehicle unless you own a body shop.

If these activities are not to your interest, the forest offers many other types of recreational experiences, including nature watching, gold panning, sailing, boating, snow activities, camping and picnicking. Call the Eldorado National Forest Information Center for additional information at 530-644-6048, visit us at 3070 Camino Heights Drive, five miles east of Placerville off of Highway 50, or try our website at fs.fed.us/r5/eldorado/. For campground and cabin reservations, call the National Recreation Reservation Service at 1-877-444-6777 or visit their website at ReserveUSA.com.

For contact information see listing on page under El Dorado National Forest.