Outbound Collective logo
  • United States
  • California
  • Loch Leven Lakes
  • Loch Leven Lakes, California

    Top Spots in and near Loch Leven Lakes

    • Emigrant Gap, California

      Loch Leven Viewpoint Trail

      5.0
      6.41 mi / 1522 ft gain
      Loch Leven Viewpoint Trail is an out-and-back trail to a viewpoint of the Loch Leven Lakes that is moderately difficult located near Truckee, California. This trail is just under 6.5 miles. If you're willing to add a little more than a mile to your adventure, you can head all the way to Upper Loc...
      Read more
    • Loch Leven Lakes Trailhead, California

      Loch Leven Lakes Trail

      4.4
      7.6 mi / 1480 ft gain
      The trail is easy to follow for the first half mile until you get to some large slabs of granite. As you continue up the trail look for stacked rocks, these will give you a an easy route as you continue up the mountain. The trail then starts to switch back eventually leading to a small bridge. Af...
      Read more
    • Emigrant Gap, California

      33mi Loop to Donner Lake

      33 mi
      We love this 33-mile loop on old Highway 40 from Cisco Grove to Donner Lake and back. It has just about everything: a few flats, a long slow pull, rollers, a screaming downhill, a tough Alpine climb and a long, cruising downhill. Not to mention altitude. The ride starts at a little above 6,000 fe...
      Read more
    • Truckee, California

      Backpack the Palisades Creek Trail

      4.0
      15 mi / 2200 ft gain
      After driving out to Kidd Lakes and parking at the trailhead, you take off through some easy forest hiking past Cascade Lakes and Long Lake. Pay attention to the cairns marking the trail as you traverse across a large granite section with Devils Peak to your West. The trail is easy to follow and ...
      Read more
    • Truckee, California

      Swim at Long Lake near Truckee

      3.7
      1.5 mi / 100 ft gain
      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 ...
      Read more
    • Placer County, California

      Paddle Lake Valley Reservoir

      A perfect adventure spot off Highway 80, Lake Valley Reservoir offers paddlers prime parking and a paved boat launch to push off on a mountain lake with an island for picnicking. Lake speed is 10 mph so fishing boats with outboards are allowed but they have to take it slow.  Post launch, head le...
      Read more
    • Nevada City, California

      Emerald Pools

      4.0
      0.68 mi / 49 ft gain
      Emerald Pools is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a river located near Emigrant Gap, California.
      Read more
    • Nevada City, California

      Bowman Road and Meadow Lake Road to Henness Pass

      3.0
      35.45 mi / 4895 ft gain
      Bowman Road and Meadow Lake Road to Henness Pass is a point-to-point trail that takes you by a lake located near Alta, California.
      Read more
    • Soda Springs, California

      Hike to the Top of Andesite Peak

      5 mi / 1000 ft gain
      From the trail map sign, follow the dirt path straight, following signs for the cross-country skiing route, not snowmobiling. Continue until you see a trail marker. You'll veer left to head over to the Hole in the Ground trail. Once you see another identical trail map board, you'll head left. Thi...
      Read more
    • Soda Springs, California

      Summit Castle Peak

      4.0
      6 mi / 1800 ft gain
      The trailhead is very easy to access as it is just off Highway 80 at the Boreal Mountain exit. When taking the exit, take a turn to the North, rather than to Boreal on the South side of the Highway. On busy summer weekends this trailhead can get quite crowded so you may have to park at the bottom...
      Read more
    • Soda Springs, California

      Snowshoe to the Peter Grubb Hut

      5.0
      8 mi
      The Peter Grubb Hut is located below Castle Peak in Round Valley, 3 miles north of the Castle Peak trailhead near I-80. Overnight parking is available at the California Sno-Park at the Boreal-Castle Peak exit on I-80. Park on the frontage road east of the Boreal Inn and walk back under the freewa...
      Read more
    • Soda Springs, California

      Hike to the Peter Benson Hut

      5.0
      11.6 mi / 1800 ft gain
      Drive to the top of Donner Summit via the Old Hwy 40 and park at the Donner Summit PCT trailhead, just past the Sugar Bowl Academy Building. Begin hiking up-hill through a somewhat forested area for about 2 miles. Shortly after you pass the trail sign for the Mt. Judah Loop, you will come to a sm...
      Read more
    • Truckee, California

      Hike the Truckee Tunnels

      5.0
      To get here, drive along Donner Pass Rd. There is a turnoff about 100 yards away from the Donner Summit Bridge where you can park. The hike begins at a plaque for the China Wall- a large retaining wall built by Chinese railroad workers. Hike up the trail towards the tunnels. Some spots may requi...
      Read more
    • Nevada City, California

      Backpack to Lower Rock Lake

      3 mi / 713 ft gain
      This adventure begins at the Lindsey Lake Campground parking lot (6,200 feet) where you leave your vehicle, takes you three miles up a trail rife with amazing photo opportunities and seasonal wildlife, and ends on the shore of Lower Rock Lake. Here you will find a dispersed camping site owned by ...
      Read more
    • 39.333252,-120.289482

      Donner Lake Rim Trail: Johnson Canyon to Trout Creek

      A perfect Sunday hike on your way back from a weekend at Lake Tahoe. Exit I-80 at Donner Lake and take the dirt road on the north side of I-80 to a large parking lot. A mild climb followed by a set of tougher switchbacks leads you to great views from Donner Ridge. Although adventuring out on t...
      Read more
    • Truckee, California

      Donner Lake Public Docks

      4.5
      In the northwest corner of Donner Lake, there are public docks run by the Truckee Donner Recreation & Parks district. It's free to lay out your towels and hang out, but there is a fee for launching boats on the ramp. Come over in the late afternoon, enjoy the sunset, and go for a swim as the ...
      Read more

    Camping and Lodging in Loch Leven Lakes

    Big Bend Group (Yuba River)
    Emigrant Gap, California

    Big Bend Group (Yuba River)

    Tunnel Mills Ii
    Colfax, California

    Tunnel Mills Ii

    North Fork (Ca)
    Emigrant Gap, California

    North Fork (Ca)

    Findley Campground
    Unnamed Road

    Findley Campground

    Fir Top Campground
    Unnamed Road

    Fir Top Campground

    Woodcamp Campground
    Unnamed Road

    Woodcamp Campground

    Guides, Insights and Stories from Loch Leven Lakes

    The Most Relaxing Backpacking Trip I've Ever Taken with My Dog, Jack

    The Most Relaxing Backpacking Trip I've Ever Taken with My Dog, Jack

    Benjamin Canevari

    Review: Hibear All-Day Adventure Flask

    Review: Hibear All-Day Adventure Flask

    Kristi Teplitz

    Nordica Strider 115 Women’s Ski Boot Review

    Nordica Strider 115 Women’s Ski Boot Review

    Kristi Teplitz

    Review: Body Glove Navigator+ Inflatable SUP w/ Backpack

    Review: Body Glove Navigator+ Inflatable SUP w/ Backpack

    Michael McSherry

    The Gear I've Used to Make Turns All Year

    The Gear I've Used to Make Turns All Year

    Kristi Teplitz

    Lake Life Essentials

    Lake Life Essentials

    Kristi Teplitz