Take a Ride On Scenic and Historic Ice House Road Loop
Eldorado County, CA – Scenic Adventures in the summer season of the Sierra are all around us. Still, for many who travel HWY 50, you are maybe driving past one of the best-kept secrets in the Sierra for scenic day travel or weekend adventure. Ice House Rd cut off HWY 50 just East of Fish Springs, where the highway crosses the American river and heads east into the river canyons headed up to Lake Tahoe. The Paved road leads visitors into the Crystal Basin and its sparkling water lakes and granite bowls and provides a pop of history and intrigue to an afternoon or weekend visit.
Travel Itinerary
Take Ice House Rd. Which winds through the Crystal Basin past Ice House and Union Valley Reservoirs. Follow Ice House Rd. About 20 miles to Wentworth Springs Road.
Here, you can take a worthwhile detour by continuing 5 miles to Loon Lake, the northwestern edge of Desolation Wilderness, with lots of granite at an elevation of 6300.
Go West on Wentworth Springs Road; then right on Eleven Pines (or Forest Hwy 2) to get to Hell Hole reservoir. That sapphire water in a Sierra gorge will take your breath away.
Uncle Tom’s Cabin is a bar that dates back to 1864 and looks it. It is one of those places any family, 4-wheelers, motorcyclist, or explorer would feel at home. Stop in for a drink or snack. Bring a picnic, use one of the many BBQ grills and tables, or play a round of horseshoes
Stumpy Meadows Reservoir — a perfect peaceful rest stop setting surrounded by forest with easy access to the water. Campers come here to while away warm summer days on the lake and enjoy the sights and sounds of the great outdoors. The campground provides easy access to both hiking and biking
trails.
Georgetown – The historic town of Georgetown was a hub of the productive gold mining region, and residents proclaimed the town the “pride of the mountains.” Today the quaint shops and eateries, art gallery, parks and pubs, and unique accommodations make it a great place to spend the day. Georgetown is registered as a California Historical Landmarks
Take a left on Marshall Grade for a bird’s view of the American River and Coloma, the area known for its Gold Rush discovery site and the west coast’s most popular whitewater resource. Suitable for kids 7 to 75, a whitewater rafting trip combines the river’s natural beauty, rich historical background, and exciting rapids into one great whitewater vacation experience.
Connect to Hwy 49, connecting back into Placerville, known as “Old Hangtown” during the rough and rowdy days of the California gold rush. Placerville was the seat of law and order where criminals met with swift justice, often at the end of a rope, hence the early name of Hangtown.
Source: Eldorado County Farm trails guide
Also explore our list of 8 Pet friendly VRBO options for making a weekend of it in Eldorado
