Looking For A Remote Easy Trail With Water For Camping

Anyone know a good 4x4 trail that goes by a river or lake which is good for camping? I'm looking for something up I-80 or US-50 from sacramento, hopefully less than 2 hrs. away and pretty remote. Looking for some tree cover a great place to swim and an easy 4x4 trail so I don't beat up my baby too much....

let me know if you have any recommendations!

 

well it looks like no one is giving up their secrets...

i'll promise to tell of a good dispersed camping site with an amazing view in exchange!

 

you posted 50 minutes ago.

 

I would share but my route was off of 108.

 

I think everyone is looking for that.
Here’s a suggestion, go up 80 and exit at Cisco Grove, go under/across the highway and turn left on the road that runs parallel to the highway. I’m guessing Cisco Grove exit is about 20 to 30 miles before you get to Truckee. In 1/2 mile or less the road ends at a private membership camp and rv place. Is or use to be called a Thousand trails camp. Just before you get to that (less than 100 yards) turn right/north on the dirt road. It’s an old logging road that goes to Sterling lake, a beautiful mountain lake and if you keep going it goes to Fordyce lake another nice mountain lake. The last part of the road to Fordyce is definitely 4x4 road but it is not difficult or a rock crawling type road. A stock 4x4 truck should not have a problem. The main road just before Sterling branches off to the right and then you’ll find logging road trails going in various directions that are fun to explore. Off of that road there is also a way into the back side of Sterling lake, the back side is incredibly beautiful. Don’t know how to explain how to find it. Get a good topo map which should show the roads, lakes and small ponds/ lakes scattered around there.
I use to deer hunt up there and fish the lakes. Haven’t made it up there in 5 or 6 years. Beautiful country for a day trip or over night. Where ever you camp will be primitive, no water or bathrooms.

 

Dude I'm gonna check it out and post a pic!!! U da man!

 

Please share. I live off 108 and always looking for new places. PM if you want it kept off the interwebs

 

Please don't. The last thing we need are more Overland bros posting pics and locations on Instagram, destroying the mystique of adventure itself

 

Some people are always worried and complain about others burning a spot. I run in to this all the time on hunting and fishing boards. This is just plain BS. There are a zillion people in California, there are no secret or unknown places. Every single 4x4 , hunting and fishing spot in California is well known by many. Also it’s not like a million 4x4ers view TW or any particular thread here. This board or any other board is not the center of the universe.
The area around Cisco Grove that I detailed is well known , especially by the locals. If the op goes there and posts pictures and locations it won’t make one damn bit of difference. I sometimes give both specifics and generalities on hunting and fishing spots. I have yet to see one of those places become over run with people due to my post.
What determines the number of people using a spot, a off road area, a camp, hunt or fishing spot is the remoteness and difficulty to get there. The more remote and difficult to get to the fewer people. For example Camp spots and fishing spots that are right off the highway are over run with people. A place that you have to backpack 10 miles to will have way way fewer people.
I’ve posted on a very popular fishing website areas to fish and the next time I went there, there were no more people there than than before I posted.
If you don’t want to post specifics or pics of areas that’s just fine. But there are no secrete unknown places in California. If you can drive to a place in California it is well known by thousands or millions, whether it is heavily used or not.

 

Agree. Which is why I am willing to share my routes with anyone who may be interested in them. I can somewhat understand "secret" fishing spots but when it comes down to 4x4 trails and the like I am more than happy to provide a gpx file or any information on where I have been.

 

I have one caveat to my above post. I have a few remote pristine spots that are special to me. Few people venture into these places. These places I only share with close friends. But for the most part if you can drive to a place I’ll share it cause lots of people already know about it whether it’s heavily used or not.

 

Check out lakes up by Bowman, dustier than hell getting there on some spots. Around Sawmill and Faucherie, but a few others will be there. I've parked at Faucherie and hiked part way around it and camped with my dog. Squirrels overran us the next morning while sleeping in a little.
Duane

 

Then why would anyone ask about spots?

Seems that argument is flawed. I know of a half dozen spots that use to have few visitors but are now blown out as soon as one of the ‘overland’ groups gets a hold of it. We’ve seen our very fair share of NorCal trails spots destroyed. Visit the BS and NorCal Camping thread, we rarely talk specifics for this exact reason.

There are tens of thousands of members here, and membership isn’t necessary to view threads. All it takes is one google search for any other crowd to find spots.

You sound like someone who wasn’t told about a specific spot and feel left out.

 

You shouldn’t make inferences about me as you know nothing about me. I’m an outdoorsman primarily interested in hunting and fishing and some other activities. My off road activities are primarily to get me into and out of areas to hunt and fish. I do occasionally go 4 wheeling for fun and to explore. All my out there spots have been told to me by friends and relatives and many many I’ve found on my own. I definitely don’t feel left out.
There are 40 million people in California. Do you really think there are any secret spots left in California. The number of people who view this forum and other similar sites is minuscule compared to 40 million. Granted if you bust a spot on this forum you may get a few more people going there but again that depends on how easy it is to get to and if you can drive too it.
I sincerely doubt the area I talked about has any more people up there today due to my post. Go up there on the opening of deer season in the D3 zone, the whole area looks like a city with hundreds of people scattered around the area. It’s been like that since before the internet. I wonder how people found out about it?
There are several factors that affect the popularity of a wilderness or off road place and posting on this form is a micro factor. I use to backpack in the very remote BearTooth wilderness in Montana. I could post about the areas I visited on a hundred websites and there would still be few if any people who would visit those areas because of the remoteness and difficultly getting there.
If you don’t want to publish any of your outdoor spots that’s just fine. But in this state of 40 million people if you think by not posting a site on the internet it will stay fairly undiscovered you are just kidding yourself.

 

Just got back from Fordyce lake. Great spot and great easy wheeling! Secret's out tho. Tons of people. We picked up a ton of trash. Sad when people can't respect nature or be responsible....

 

Good to hear you had a great time. If you can go up there during the week there’s hardly anyone around. The locals use the area heavily on the weekends. There was probably a lot of people up there due to my post.

 

When I lived in the bay area Hollister hills was always fun easy trails or the back side of Tahoe. Take the southern route to reno.

 

I just got back from white azalea campground up by pioneer. The river is calm enough in most spots but freezing cold. I was told there’s a bunch of trails from the campground but I haven’t taken any of them

 

Try not to be petty, it’s not a good look.