Snow Status? Red lakes to Blue Lakes Forestdale rd Markleyville to Hope Valley

[rich]

Hi All,

It has been literally years since I've been on wander the west, probably 7 years. I used to be really active on here, did a lot of trip and trail reports when the site migrated to this new software back in the day. Then had kids and have been gone for a while. We are now starting to overland with the kids.

I want to go run Forestdale rd, Red Lakes to Blue Lakes from Markleyville CA to Hope Valley CA out on highway 88 / 89 in the Northern Sierras near Tahoe. With the winter we had I'm wondering if the top of the pass still has too much snow to get through. As I'm now wheeling with young children in the car I don't like surprises as much as I used to

There used to be some really active people on here who lived and travelled in that area a lot. If you're still here I'd love to know if anyone has run this yet this year and what the snow and trail status is.

Thanks all and happy to be back!

 

[craig333]

Thanks for reminding me I need to complete that road. Last time I tried I didn't make it far before there was too much snow. Likely that way now I would think.

https://trail4runner.com/2017/08/19/blue-lake-red-lake-4x4-trail/

 

[ski3pin]

I'd do the road from Blue Lakes north, that way you'll be approaching the rougher sections as you climb. You could disperse camp at Lost lakes and have mild hiking in that area with nice visuals. Last time we drove that road there was a deep erosion cut two to three feet deep down the center of the road from the pass north to the bottom of the steep grade. We have always most enjoyed the section from Blue Lakes to the divide so usually just turn around at the top.

I do not know current snow conditions but I would expect possible deep patches at the upper elevations.

 

[rich]

Thanks Ski3pin,

I believe you and I have met years ago. I swung by your home and picked up some parts for my old four wheel camper I was fixing up. Good to see you are still on here!

Heading that direction if there is a large snow bank at the top of the pass will there be a place to safely turn a big truck like a tundra around or is it shelf road at that point?

I'd do the road from Blue Lakes north, that way you'll be approaching the rougher sections as you climb. You could disperse camp at Lost lakes and have mild hiking in that area with nice visuals. Last time we drove that road there was a deep erosion cut two to three feet deep down the center of the road from the pass north to the bottom of the steep grade. We have always most enjoyed the section from Blue Lakes to the divide so usually just turn around at the top.

I do not know current snow conditions but I would expect possible deep patches at the upper elevations.

 

[ski3pin]

Rich, if coming from the south - Blue Lakes - you can turn a truck around up top. The last lingering snowbank we've seen is right at the top and fills the cut bank at the top of the descent to Red Lake. And yes, you stopped by here and picked up some parts. Welcome back.

Thanks Ski3pin,

I believe you and I have met years ago. I swung by your home and picked up some parts for my old four wheel camper I was fixing up. Good to see you are still on here!

Heading that direction if there is a large snow bank at the top of the pass will there be a place to safely turn a big truck like a tundra around or is it shelf road at that point?

 

[rich]

Hey Ski, coming up that way how long does it take to get from hope valley to the top and back?

 

[rich]

So you take blu lakes rd off of 88 just west of sorensons and link up with Forestdale rd and go up that way?

 

[ski3pin]

Rich, I hesitate to say because my guess would probably be as good as yours. Blue Lakes Road from 88 in Hope Valley to Blues Lakes is an easy, good two lane mountain road. The road along the east side of the Blue Lakes is good but narrow and slow, especially if encountering other vehicles - hiking trailheads, the PG&E campgrounds. The Forestdale Divide Road begins right at the Upper Blue Lake Campground. Check the mileage and work on a good estimate.

 

[rich]

Update forestdale rd red lakes to blue lakes is closed for the entire season. We tried to enter it from Blue Lakes and it's blocked off. I talked to one of the PG+E guys there and he said they are working on the dam there and don't want anybody on the road so they have blocked both ends for the entire summer season.

Tried to get to crater lake today as well and could get further than 3 weeks ago but the trail is still blocked by snow.

 

[ski3pin]

I guess we missed this one -

Upper Blue Lake 2019 Closure
Due to planned work at Upper Blue Lake Dam and surrounding campgrounds all recreation located around Upper Blue Lake will be closed to the public for the entire 2019 season. Recreation around Lower Blue Lake will be open. The closures include the following campgrounds: Middle Creek, Middle Creek Expansion, Upper Blue Lake Dam Site, Upper Blue Lake Dam Site Expansion, Upper Blue Lake. The closure includes access to the Grouse Lake/Granite Lake Trailhead and all boat ramp access to Upper Blue Lake.

Further information on the dam project I found on CEQA -

Seismic Retrofit

 

[rich]

Hey Ski,

You know that area pretty well. My son wants to wheel into the backcountry and eat cake for his birthday. I'd like it to be by or to a backcountry lake so we can paddle board while there. Easy to moderate trails preferred. If I can get a dirt road / easy obstacle trail we can bring out 2 year old with us which is the preference. The moderate trails knock her head around too much.

Can you think of anything in our part of the sierras that fits the bill? I could do burnside lake but the lake is a bit too small and it's pretty hemmed in and well traveled there. I think red lakes to blue lakes would have been the one but that's not in the cards.

Any ideas would be much appreciated.

Thanks!