Swim at Long Lake near Truckee

Truckee, California

3.7/5

based on 3 reviews

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Details

Distance

1.5 miles

Elevation Gain

100 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Josiah Roe

Solitude and pristine blue waters surrounded by glaciated Sierra Nevada granite beneath the shadow of Devil's Peak, Long Lake and its rope swings await.

The story goes that twenty or so years ago, long before the advent of the Royal Gorge Cross-Country Ski Area, some local Truckee boys decided to put a couple rope swings up on Long Lake near Soda Springs, CA, and they remain there to this day.

Long Lake sits amongst a cluster of both man-made and glaciated lakes on a ridge between the Yuba and American River canyons. To get there, take the I-80 exit for Soda Springs i.e. Donner Pass Road. Go right on Soda Springs Road and then right again on Pahatsi road, which turns into Kidd Lakes Road.

You will see signs for both Camp Winthers and that you are entering the Royal Gorge Cross Country Ski Resort. Keep going on Kidd Road until it dead ends.

From the parking area take the Palisade Creek Trail down, across the damn, and stay left until you reach Long Lake. You can't miss the rope swing on the north side of the lake and there is a second on the large pine tree on the south side that you can swim too.

The lake sits at an elevation of 6,700', so even late in the summer the waters can be chilly. Early in the year mosquitos can be a nuisance.

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Swim at Long Lake near Truckee Reviews

Claeton Giordano

Swim at Long Lake near Truckee

09/03/21

Road to parking area is very rough and not passable with two wheel drive vehicle. Look out for the water snakes in the lake. Best to go at night when the decomposing material at the water's edge doesn't smell as bad. The rope swing tree has fallen into the lake.

1.0

Lauren Bonczek

Swim at Long Lake near Truckee

09/21/17

This place was awesome! There were a few moments that I thought my little car was going to get stuck on Kidd road though (especially after it started to torrential downpour). I drive a mazda 3. We made it out, and I now have more respect for my car! We went yesterday (mid september), and it was pretty cold and rained, but even though we didn't swim, it was still an awesome place to hang the hammocks and chill. We also parked at the warming hut.

5.0

Catherine Pohle

Swim at Long Lake near Truckee

08/20/17

Beautiful little spot! We got there early enough in the day that there wasn't that many people. A lot of people had floaters and were out on the lake paddle boarding because it's not too far of a hike in. WARNING!!! While you can drive all the way to the dead end of the road and park there, there is a massive bumpy road to get to the end. It is really really hard to get up and down if you don't have the proper car. I would recommend parking at the parking lot right before the hill, next to the "warming hut" and just hike down the hill, it only adds like a quarter mile (maybe) but it's a lot easier that trying to navigate that hill.

5.0

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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Swim at Long Lake near Truckee

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Swim at Long Lake near Truckee Reviews

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Nearby

Backpack the Palisades Creek Trail

Loch Leven Lakes Trail

Loch Leven Viewpoint Trail

Hike to the Top of Andesite Peak

Summit Castle Peak

Snowshoe to the Peter Grubb Hut

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