Ebbetts Pass (HWY 4) is a popular scenic route during the summer seasons. The steep and skinny road ways provide a unique experience while traveling to some of the regions most sought out adventure locations in the Sierra south of Lake Tahoe. Yet if you have ever explored this route you may have alos missed one of the regions best flat water Kayaking destinations in the Sierra.
With 7 Roadside lakes to choose from Kayakers and Paddleboarders have their choice of pristine waters, smaller crowds than Lake Tahoe and incredible scenic views. Everyone should wear life vests (PFDs) because the lake waters are very cold and make swimming difficult.
Sierra Nevada Adventure Company in Arnold rents kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards. Bear Valley Adventure Company rents kayaks and paddleboards and offers kayaking instruction. Life jackets and paddles are included with all rentals. In places where motorized boats are allowed on area lakes, they are held to a 5 or 10 MPH speed limit.
Kayaking and Paddleboarding Destinations
Lake Alpine
At an elevation of 7,300 feet, Lake Alpine is usually open to boating mid-June through October. The 180-acre lake has a number of inlets and coves to explore along with granite islands. Wind can come up in the afternoons. Amenities at the lake include a boat launch ramp, parking, restrooms, the Lake Alpine Resort, campgrounds, and day use areas. This is the most popular destination for visitors of Bear Valley and Hwy 4. So expect more crowds on the shore line, but on the water expect a great time and plenty of space.
Spicer Meadow Reservoir
Located at the end of Spicer Meadow Reservoir Road, the recently expanded lake has over 2,000 acres of water to investigate with numerous little bays and inlets the 22-mile long shoreline has plenty of places to explore. At an elevation of 6,400 feet the lake is often not open for boating until mid-June. There are campgrounds, a boat launch ramp, parking lots, and restrooms. The upper 3 miles of the lake are closed to motorized boats. With a wilderness permit, you can camp on the shore in that section (part of the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness).
For more information about the Spicer, Spicer Meadow Reservoir.
Union Reservoir
Nearby Union Reservoir is only a little over a mile long, but its sheltered waters make it a nice place for kayaking and paddleboarding. There are two camping area, pit toilets, and an unimproved hand-launch site.
Utica Reservoir
Utica Reservoir is immediately north of Union Reservoir. With 8 miles of shoreline, scattered islands, and a maze of inlets, Utica is popular with kayakers and paddleboarders. Like Union Reservoir, Utica has two camping areas, pit toilets, and an unimproved dirt launch ramp.
Mosquito Lakes
Mosquito Lakes, up on Pacific Grade Summit, are small, making them less appealing to kayakers. If you choose to paddle there, you will want to watch out for the fishing lines cast by anglers from shore.
Highland Lakes
Highland Lakes are at the end of a side road near the summit of Ebbetts Pass. They are reasonably large, but lack the varied shoreline that make other lakes so popular. They are also exposed to brisk winds.
Kinney Reservoir
Lower Kinney Reservoir is located right off the shoulder of HWY just below the PCT and the Ebbetts pass summit. Parking is limited but this dammed reservoir provides deep blue water experience with forest and mountain views all around.
White Pines Lake
White Pines Lake is a quiet little lake, well known to local residents, but often overlooked by visitors scurrying up to Big Trees State Park or Lake Alpine. Only a mile from Arnold, the lake makes a great family destination for fishing, picnicking, or just taking the kids to a playground. White Pines Lake is a nice place to spend a restful day fishing. No motorized boats are allowed on the lake, but little hand-launched fishing boats, float tubes, canoes, and kayaks are perfect for the small lake.
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