Blue Lakes, Including Twin and Meadow Lakes

Long after spring has warmed into summer in foothills’ and Central Valley’ lakes, spring is just getting a foothold by late June or early July—depending on the snow season and spring weather. Dark, heavily forested hills defining the Sierra Crest and the Mokelumne Wilderness surround the lakes’ basin.

A recently completed black topped Blue Lakes Road climbs easily above the scenic headwaters of the West Fork of the Carson River and drops into the top rim of the headwaters of the North Fork Mokelumne River. Snow can prevent access sometimes into July, and once PG&E has drawn down the reservoir levels the pristine feeling of the surroundings is tempered by the muddy brown bath-tub ring above receding lake levels. The lakes were natural but PG&E raised each with dams in the 1940s.

Fishing results remain high though into mid-October. Julys are usually ideal for water levels and the recent melt-off of the ice covering the lakes each winter, ideal camping, and rewarding fishing. At these higher elevations, the especially satisfying fall fishing season will begin in September and last until snowfall that can begin in late October.

The roughly mile-long and ½ mile wide Meadow Lake rests in a quiet, canyon dominated by massive rock and toe-hold stands of forest. The lake can be used by hardy flat water paddlers who are willing to drag or heft the boat down to the lake.

Fishery:

Lahontan cutthroat trout provide the largest of the fish and top out in the 2-3 pound range, but rainbows in 14-16 inch, or smaller, sizes provide the largest share of successful stringers. Beautifully hewed brookies are also a staple portion of the catch.

In 2005, a typical year, the California Department of Fish & Game planted 5000 brook trout and 10,000 cutthroat fingerlings in the two Blue Lakes. At the same time, 10,000 pounds of catchable rainbow trout were stocked that season. Twin Lake received 3000 brookie and 6000 cutthroat fingerlings. Meadow Lake gained another 15,000 cutthroat fingerlings.

Boating Facilities: Lower Blue has an unimproved, dirt ramp near the dam for small boats while Upper Blue has one near the dam and another at the top end near Upper Blue Lake Campground. A nice, gravel road a short distance above high-water levels follows along the east side of the two Blue Lakes.

Twin Lake has suitable access for car-top carried boats but high clearance vehicles are best.

Meadow Lake is tucked tightly into a narrow exclusion of the Mokelumne Wilderness just below Snow Canyon. Four-wheel drive vehicles aren’t necessary, but high clearance such as all-wheel drive SUVs are ideal. A primitive, maintenance trail/road continues along the south side of the lake, but the road is gated at a small parking area a short ¼ mile east and 250’ above the lake. Strictly, very light floatables can be carried or drug down the steep drop, and then flat water paddlers must find their way from the road to the water.

Camping: PG&E provides four campgrounds:
…Lower Blue Lake: 16 camp units midway on the east shore, fee.
…Middle Creek: 5 camp units along Middle Creek which connects the two Blue Lakes, 1 ½ miles above Lower Blue Campground and shortly below the dam for Upper Blue Lake, fee. Trailhead for the MokelumneWilderness trail to Granite Lake, the headwaters of Snow Canyon, and Grouse Lake.
…Upper Blue Lake Dam: 25 camp units about ¼ mile above the Middle Creek Campground, just above the dam on the east shore, fees. Boat ramp.
…Upper Blue Lake: 32 camp units, 1.3 miles above Upper Blue Lake Dam Campground at the end of the good road and above the upper shoreline, fees. Trailhead for the Mokelumne Wilderness trail dropping into Summit City Creek on the south side of the California Alps and Carson Pass area. Pacific Crest Trail continues along the crest about ½ mile, and 300’ elevation, via dirt road (high clearance vehicles) east of the campground.

PG&E lists the open season for the campgrounds as August – late September. All campsites are first-come, first lucky; reservations not taken.

Twin Lake has several dispersed sites along the north shore with primitive, drivable access from the rustic road. Meadow Lake is strictly a strenuous pack-it-in situation, but most likely you’ll have the lake to yourself.

Fishing Hints:

Trolling works well for the three major species, especially once warmer temperatures dominate. Mimic the most common forage fish, Tai chub and Lahontan redsides, with minnow imitation lures. Troll look-alike redside lures that feature the species characteristic stripe still visible, but the red is much reduced, leaving a gradual transition from the olive-colored back to silvery underside. Flashers and dodgers with light tackle helps attract fish to your lure.

Power bait, black power worms, spinners and nightcrawlers on a spinner/crawler rig are often successful from small boats or float gear. Shore fishing can be successful also. Eggs also are a good option. The northeast side of Upper Blue is especially attractive as the shoreline plunges to deeper waters rapidly. Fly fishing anglers do best from canoes or float tubes.

To Blue Lakes, Including Twin and Meadow Lakes

Travel Details:

Turn south onto Blue Lakes Road 6.6 miles east of Carson Pass of 2.5 miles west of Highway 88 & 89 junction south of South Lake Tahoe. Follow 12 miles; the last half was recently blacktopped to the Sierra Crest near main junction to the lakes. The paved road ends just east of Lower Blue Lake and the gravel road continues 3.3 miles to Upper Blue Lake Campground.

No supplies. Period. Closest is Woodsford Station in Woodsford, CA. Lodging and nearest necessities are available in Woodsford, and Markleeville. Outstanding accommodations and dining is available at Sorenson’s Resort about a mile east along Highway 88 from the junction with Highway 89 from South Lake Tahoe.

Communities

• Kirkwood

Reservoirs

• Caples Lake