desolation wilderness camping

Can anyone recommend a good campground in the Desolation Wilderness?  I'd like to take my kids camping to view the Perseids meteor showers.  Ideally it would be someplace where I can have the best view of the night sky.  Being near water to swim in during the day would be great too. 

thanks,
Nate

Desolation's a pretty hardcore backpacking destination.  Horsetail Falls is looking like Niagra right now...

Have fun and good luck.   

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing, this is a backpacking area for sure... Not sure about drive in spots... There's a GREAT little lake to hike out to there called Round lake. Its a beautiful little high elevation lake with some tasty little trout in there..

The hike isnt too bad, but bring everything you need to spend the night...

the view of the starts is top notch!

Butte Lake, Lassen National Park. About a 4 hr drive from the bay. The lake is right near the camp area and a very good view of the sky with excellent elevation.The drive into the lake is about 5 miles off hwy 89 on a dirt road. http://www.nps.gov/lavo/planyourvisit/campground-reservations.htm
the lake itself is good to very good fishing trolling rooster tails. Hat Creek isn't that far for excellent fishing and also easy access.

Thanks.  Your posts brought me back to reality.  Desolation was a place my then girlfriend and I had always wanted to backpack.  Now with kids, I definitely need a drive, park and pitch the tent kind of camping. 

How about this?  Any recommendations for a spot near Reno?  My wife has the option to fly into either the Sac. or Reno airport where I will pick her up and go camping. 

nate

Wrights Lake

I'd still recommend Butte. I think the driving time is half from there.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butte_Lake_%28California%29

I like Loon Lake - secluded boat or hike-in spots or car camping close to the launch.  Also a nice hike to Spider lake - visibility is ridiculous.  Elevation around 6400 ft.

Stamped, Boca and Prosser Reservoirs are less than 40 miles from Reno and are at an elevation between 5800 and 6000 feet.

If she flies into Sacramento, try Folsom or the Crystal Lakes basin off 50 (Union valley, Icehouse, Loon, or Wrights). Or north towards Butte, Oroville, or Shasta etc. If she flies into Reno, try one of the lakes off 80 (Boca, Stampede, or Prosser). Oh, and then there's the hwy 89 lakes like Gold Lakes basin or Sardine lakes NE of Sacramento. OK I need to go camping!

 

  Cartwright reservoir?  we've stayed over night on our way over the Duzy Earshim  trail. (Jeeping) The trail starts at "Chicken Rock" You'll know why it's named that if you go there. Its about 30 miles in on Shaver lakes road (I think is the name of the road it's been a while ) . It wont get much more dark on you there!

Here's a comprimise (between car and backpacking) - Richardson Lake near Tahoe.  Off Hwy 89 @ Tahoma (West Shore), there's a sign that says something like "McKinney-Rubicon..." You need 4w drive but there are a few lakes up there you can drive to and camp.  One of them is Lily Lake, but as the name suggests is full of lily pads.  Richardson is the last lake you get to before you get to Desolation Wilderness (as I recall).  Haven't been there in 20 years, but it should still be there.  My friend got there ahead of us on one trip, saw a big plane appear over the ridge and swoop down towards the lake, then saw it dump a LOAD of trout into the lake.  We caught some fish that weekend!

I don't mean to threadjack, but I'm really interested in this as well.

I'd like to find some not-too-hardcore 4x4 access only lakes that would allow for car camping and kayak fishing away from the packed campgrounds. Primitive camping isn't a problem for us. Within reasonable driving distance from the Bay Area is also pretty key in order to be able to do a weekend or long weekend jaunt. (Asking too much, I know!!)

It sounds like some of the suggestions above might meet those criteria?

Peter

I can only speak to Loon - which is pretty accessible - especially the southern portion of the lake, but it does sit just below the rubicon trail and I know some 4x4 guys who pick up the trail near the dam.  For reference, the kayak/hike in "pleasant campground" at the north end of the lake is pretty secluded.  I camp there regularly on holiday weekends without a reservation.  In fact we showed up with a group of 11 on the fourth of July and had no problem getting sites.  No launch fee for kayaks if you park in the wilderness parking area - but it's not too close to the dock, so you'll want a good cart or a friend who can stay with the boat.  There are a few scattered pit toilets, but you'll probably prefer a shovel.  No running water, but still no fire restrictions.  Fishing isn't great unless you can troll deep near the dam or catch the early or late topwater bite.  I'll be there this weekend in a sand T-11 - look for a full report.

I can only speak to Loon - which is pretty accessible - especially the southern portion of the lake, but it does sit just below the rubicon trail and I know some 4x4 guys who pick up the trail near the dam.  For reference, the kayak/hike in "pleasant campground" at the north end of the lake is pretty secluded.  I camp there regularly on holiday weekends without a reservation.  In fact we showed up with a group of 11 on the fourth of July and had no problem getting sites.  No launch fee for kayaks if you park in the wilderness parking area - but it's not too close to the dock, so you'll want a good cart or a friend who can stay with the boat.  There are a few scattered pit toilets, but you'll probably prefer a shovel.  No running water, but still no fire restrictions.  Fishing isn't great unless you can troll deep near the dam or catch the early or late topwater bite.  I'll be there this weekend in a sand T-11 - look for a full report.

Good info - thanks. Looking forward to your report too!
By the way, I really like this pic - beautiful color saturation and symmetry.