A collection of travel and adventure stories

Lakes Basin-Salmon Lake Kayaking

Description and Directions >>

Description:
Upper Salmon Lake is located in the Lakes Basin Recreation Area. The Lakes Basin Recreation Area is located in Plumas and Sierra Counties in the Sierra Buttes of Northern California. This lake is one of over 50 natural lakes located in the area.

Activities:
kayaking, boating, fishing, picnicking, swimming, sightseeing

Directions:
From Sierra City, drive about 5 miles on Hwy 49 to Gold Lake Highway. Turn onto this road and continue to the sign for Salmon Lake. Turn left and continue to Lower Salmon Lake parking and boat ramp.

Story Date 8/26/2004
Publish Date 11/18/2004

Story Perspectives >>

According to Mikala: Salmon Lake is an example of how beautiful the Lakes Basin area is. It was one of many such lakes in a very short distance. Only a few of them are easy to reach for launching kayaks. Salmon Lake is a very small lake and easily paddled.

When we started our paddle, the day was overcast and a little chilly. We bundled up and started exploring. Immediately to the right of the boat ramp is a little island. We paddled around and continued along the lakeshore. Above us were reddish brown rock formations, similar to the canyons surrounding the Lakes Basin. Along the shore were some brush and bushes. I was fascinated watching some very colorful yellow birds fly quickly in and out of the branches. We continued on to a very large rock wall that entered the water. If it was sunnier, I bet you could see fish swimming in the water below.

On the far side of the lake, we came to the Salmon Lake Lodge. I could see a few of the cabins along the shore and into the hills. It looked like a very nice place to stay for relaxation.

As we passed the lodge, we came to a small cove. I got out to explore and found a smaller lake (or pond) right over the ridge. There was also a small creek flowing down a canyon, and in the distance was another lake (I think it was Upper Salmon Lake). Once back in the kayaks, we discovered another small cove immediately after this one. The sun was finally starting to break through, and the scenery was much prettier. We paddled on, taking our time to view the many rock boulders along the shore and in the water. We stopped on a dirt beach to have lunch, where we sat for a while being amused by the ducks swimming along.

Unfortunately, the lake was too small and we had already reached the boat ramp area and the end to our paddle.