www.trimbleoutdoors.com
Backpacker Magazine Reno: Penner Lake 

This 5.4-mile out-and-back has it all: 5-star camping, superlative swimming, and picture-postcard scenery along a patchwork of lakes in Tahoe National Forest.


Our Apps
Map Tools

Share Trip
  • Email this trip E-mail Trip
  • Embed Map
  • Bookmark this trip Social Bookmarks
    more bookmarks...

Download To

Create a Trip
Author: Backpacker Magazine
Date: 12 Jan 2006 12:35:12 PM
Activity: Backpacking
State: California (CA)
Distance: 2.74 mi  (Change units)
Survey Elevation: Total Gain: 843 ft
Total Loss: 595 ft
Net Change: 249 ft
Difficulty: 5 / 10
Tags: Reno, California, Tahoe, Top Swimming Holes, Waterfall Hikes, Nevada City
Rating:   1 rating(s) Rate it


TO TRAILHEAD: I-80 W to CA 20 W to FR 18 N (Bowman Rd.) to FR 17 E; follow signs to Carr Lake Campground.

Position Format: Datum:
Tracks

PLT01

Distance: 2.74 mi Points: 891
Total Time: none Speed: 0.0 mph Pace: 0:00 / mi
Active Time: none Speed: 0.0 mph Pace: 0:00 / mi
Penner Lake Track

Points of Interest

PLT001

Location: 39.401005, -120.640610
Begin on Round Lake Trail along N shore of Carr Lake (6,664 ft.); cross riffles of Lake Creek

PLT002

Location: 39.399281, -120.634636
Skirt S shore of Feeley Lake beneath sloping ridge; red scree dome of Fall Creek Mtn. frames view to N

PLT003

Location: 39.397213, -120.627274
Climb along N shore of unnamed pond circled by alders and sedges

PLT004

Location: 39.396248, -120.623329
Turn N onto Crooked Lakes Trail, skirting Island Lake's shoreline

PLT005

Location: 39.399925, -120.623413
NW shore of granite-encircled Island Lake; mighty fine swimming

PLT006

Location: 39.403057, -120.619301
Hike under red fir to small waterfall on Island Lake's outlet. Hidden Lake rests in contours of Fall Creek Mtn.

PLT007

Location: 39.409058, -120.617142
Hike along W edge of marshy Crooked Lakes; bear down for ascent along talus path laced by manzanita, huckleberry

PLT008

Location: 39.412842, -120.617058
Steep section before Penner Lake; see jagged Black Buttes to E

PLT009

Location: 39.415146, -120.617050
Crest ridge to view rocky shore of deep, emerald Penner Lake below; drop W off ridge toward Culbertson Lake

PLT010

Location: 39.417747, -120.616524
Penner Lake (6,895 ft.); best tent sites are on NE end. Optional: Scramble .4 mi. up ridge W of lake for dramatic views down to Culbertson and Lindsey Lakes ; continue 1.6 mi. N to bag Bowman Peak

Island Lake Wide Shot

Location: 39.400177, -120.622940
A clear alpine lake perfect for rest stop. ©Loren Stout

Shores of Island Lake

Location: 39.396519, -120.625198
A rocky isle within the lake offers the perfect swim spot. ©Loren Stout

Ghosts of the Forest

Location: 39.398979, -120.633919
A melancholy fog surrounds this stand of moss-draped conifers along Feely Lake. ©Loren Stout

Shores of Penner Lake

Location: 39.418972, -120.614456
Pines teeter along the tranquil shores of an alpine gem. ©Loren Stout

Shard of Rock

Location: 39.423599, -120.616280
From the peak north of Penner Lake, the trail is littered with broken talus. ©Loren Stout

Inundated Meadow

Location: 39.397373, -120.628784
During the wet season, this meadow becomes a bog. ©Loren Stout

Hillside in Shadow

Location: 39.413876, -120.616791
Flecks of sunlight peer through monster clouds on the ascent to Penner Lake. ©Loren Stout

Geometry of Nature

Location: 39.397804, -120.631584
The growth pattern of this chartreuse moss parallels the ridgline. ©Loren Stout

Across Penner Lake

Location: 39.418430, -120.616676
Smooth-as-glass waters reflect the craggy edges of Penner Lake. ©Loren Stout

Misty Timbers

Location: 39.399334, -120.635406
A hazy morning over fallen branches along Feely Lake. ©Loren Stout

Nature's Framing

Location: 39.411266, -120.616989
Tall pines outline a serene meadow in Tahoe National Forest. ©Loren Stout

Rocky Path

Location: 39.404690, -120.618896
Fallen needles and rocks line the path to Penner Lake. ©Loren Stout

Get AllSport GPS Get Trimble Outdoors Navigator

Endorsements

Comparable Trips

Comments  Post a comment
0 Trip Comments
 

© 2010 Trimble Navigation Ltd. About Us | Terms of Use | Privacy | Software EULA | Feedback | Contact