Lake Davis Recreation Area

The Lake Davis Recreation Area offers a wide variety of recreation opportunities. Fishing is the most popular. In the winter, ice fishing, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing are favored activities. Waterskiing is not permitted. Frequent strong winds can cause the lake to become very hazardous for small craft. State and County boating regulations apply at Lake Davis.

LAKE STATISTICS
Elevation: 5,775 feet
Surface Area: 4,000 arcres
Maximum Depth: 105 feet
Average Depth: 21 feet
Shoreline: 32 miles
Capacity: 84,400 acre feet
Dam Height: 139 feet

CAMPING
Grizzly and Grasshopper Campgrounds consist of 125 single family units providing tables, piped water, fire rings, grills, flush toilets, and garbage service. Fees are required and maximum stay is 14 days. Lightning Tree Campground consists of 56 units set up for self-contained RV's. A service fee is charged at the trailer sanitation station located near Grizzly Campground. Drinking water is also available at the station.

BOAT LAUNCHING
Honker Cove and Lightning Tree have paved launching ramps, boarding floats, toilets, and paved parking areas. Mallard Cove and Old Camp 5 are car-top launching facilities with paved boat loading and unloading areas, toilets, and paved parking areas.

FISHING
Naturally produced and artificially stocked trout occur in the lake. Varieties are a Rainbow-Kamloops cross, German Browns, and Eagle Lake Trout. Other species include bass and catfish. Catfish are caught quite regularly and are very flavorful because of the cold water habitat. There is a five trout daily limit at Lake Davis all season. Because of spawning cycles, tributary streams are open only during midsummer. Nearly three miles of Big Grizzly Creek just below Lake Davis is open to fishing on a public access strip. Check with the Department of Fish and Game for other special restrictions.

HUNTING
Mule deer, waterfowl, and some upland game birds can be hunted in the Lake Davis Recreation Area. Hunting is regulated by the California Department of Fish and Game.

HELPING AND SHARING
In developed recreation sites, build campfires only in fireplaces provided. Keep dogs on a leash. Please do not bathe, clean fish, wash clothes or brush teeth at water hydrants as they can contaminate water, clog drain rock and attract yellowjackets. Keep restrooms clean. Protect your valuables and report any vandalism.

POINT OF INTEREST
Smith Peak Lookout, located about 7 miles southwest of the dam, provides a good view of Lake Davis and an opportunity to learn about the job of a fire lookout. Lookouts are manned full time during fire season. Visitors are welcome.

Little Grass Valley Recreational Area

CAMPING
The Forest Service manages six family campgrounds around Little Grass Valley Reservoir, totaling 300 units. All campgrounds, except Red Feather, are available on a first come, first served basis. Campsites in Red Feather may be reserved through ( 1-800-280-CAMP).

Each campground has piped water. Trailer sites are available, as well as walk-in tent campsites. Trailers of up to 40 feet can be accommodated in some of the camping units, but no hook-ups are provided. Maximum stay is 14 days. Facilities are usually open from Memorial Day to October.

FISHING
Hunting and fishing are regulated by the California Department of Fish and Game. Little Grass Valley Reservoir supports rainbow, German brown, and kokanee salmon. Little Grass Valley Reservoir is stocked with rainbow trout annually.

HIKING
Hiking and backpacking are enjoyed by many visitors in this area. A portion of the Pacific Crest Trail, near Chimney Rock and Fowler Peak, is located about 2 miles north of the Little Grass Valley Recreation Area. The Lakeshore Trail provides hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding opportunities around the lake. Please be aware of use restrictions on trails, and respect private land. The southern portion of the Lakeshore Trail drops below the high water mark in order to avoid crossing private land. Horseback riding is permitted on the northern portion of the Lakeshore Trail only.

OFF ROAD VEHICLES
The use of off-road vehicles is restricted within the Little Grass Valley Recreation Area.

OTHER ACTIVITIES
Little Grass Valley Recreation Area provides opportunities for many more recreation experiences for visitors. Three boat launch ramps provide access to the water for fishing, water-skiing, sailing, or simply touring on boats. Two swim beaches provide excellent swimming and picnicking opportunities. Visitors may also enjoy watching wildlife, campfire programs, or exploring nearby historic gold mining towns.

Lakes Basin Recreation Area

The Lakes Basin Recreation Area is well known for its scenic geological features of granitic ridges and glacially serrated rock outcroppings. The breathtaking scenery and surrounding crystal lakes provide the opportunity for a variety of year-round recreation activities. Camping, fishing, boating, hunting, picnicking, hiking, backpacking, swimming, and nature study can be enjoyed in the summer season. Snowmobiling and cross-country skiing are popular winter activities.

CAMPING
The Lakes Basin Campground consists of 24 family units, occupied on a first come, first serve basis and one organization campground accommodating groups of up to 25 persons. Reservations are required for the group campground and can be made at Mohawk Ranger Station; P.O. Box 7, Blairsden, CA 96103. (916) 836-2575. The campgrounds provide tables, grills, piped drinking water, fire rings, and vault toilets. Water hookups, electricity, and waste disposal are not available.

Horses are not permitted overnight in designated campgrounds. The road to the campground is not paved and trailer space is limited for large RV's. There is a two vehicle limit at the family units and no vehicle may block the road. Up to six people may occupy a unit with the exception of larger immediate families. Maximum stay is 14 days in the family campground. A camping fee is charged.

The camping season usually begins the first week in June and ends in mid-October, depending on weather. Outside of campgrounds, a Campfire permit is required and can be obtained free at any California Forest Service Ranger Station.

GOLD, GOOSE AND HAVEN LAKES
Many primitive type camping areas are available at these lakes with no camping fee charged. Drinking water is not provided. At Gold Lake, a paved boat launching ramp is located on the west shore with a developed picnic site nearby. A vault toilet is available. A gravel surfaced launching ramp is located on the north shore. Here, a vault toilet has been designed for summer and winter visitors. Water-skiing is permitted on Gold Lake, although frequent winds and rock outcroppings make it very hazardous. Wind surfing is a popular summer activity.

POINTS OF INTEREST
1) Mills Peak Lookout: A three mile drive northeast of Gold Lake to the fire lookout at Mills Peak presents a panoramic view of Mohawk Valley. 2) Red Fir Nature Trail: Stop along the road one mile south of Mills Peak Lookout and take a short walk along this trail where interpretive signs lead you through the life cycle of the beautiful and stately red fir forest. 3) Frazier Falls: The parking and picnic area is located two miles north of Gold Lake on the Old Gold Lake Road. A leisurely half-mile walk from there takes you to the majestic 176 foot vertical drop of the falls. Best when seen in spring or early summer.

BIRD WATCHING
Lakes Basin supports many fascinating bird species. Birders will enjoy sighting such varieties as Golden-crowned Kinglet, Pine Grosbeak, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Goshawks, and possibly the rare and magnificent Osprey.

HIKING
A network of well signed and maintained trails branch from several trail heads. They offer variety in difficulty from the leisurely stroll to the adventurous challenge. The trails encompass many of the beautiful and serene lakes, then open to storm-battered tree stands and wildflower meadows. A stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail is accessible. Equestrians will enjoy many miles of horseback riding in this trail system.

HUNTlNG AND FISHING
Hunting and fishing are permitted in the Lakes Basin Recreation Area. Please consult your California Department of Fish and Game Regulations for information on open seasons, licenses, and locations. Mule deer and black bear are among the game animals taken. Rainbow and Eastern Brook trout are present in many of the lakes with good to excellent fishing in the deeper lakes. Boat storage is allowed for the summer at Long and Grass Lakes with a permit.

Bucks Lake Recreation Area

CAMPING
The Forest Service operates four family campgrounds totaling 47 units. Whitehorse, Sundew, and Mill Creek have piped water. Trailers up to 22 feet can be accommodated in some of the camping units; however, no hookups are provided. Maximum stay is 14 days. Facilities at Bucks Lake usually open from June to October. Campers at Lower Bucks Lake must have portable toilets or a vehicle having a self-contained toilet. Hutchins Group Camp consists of three units each with a capacity of 25 people per unit. Reservations and additional information may be obtained through the Oroville Ranger Station, 875 Mitchell, Oroville, CA 95965, (916) 5346500.

The Pacific Gas and Electric Company operates one campground on the south side of Bucks Lake. Haskins Valley Campground has 65 units, water, toilets, stoves, tables, and space for trailers.

LAKE STATISTICS
Elevation: 5,155 feet
Surface Area: 1,827 acres
Shoreline: 14 miles
Capacity: 101,926 acre-feet
Dam Height: 109 feet

HISTORY
Bucks Lake was named by one of the first white settlers in Bucks Valley, Horace 'Buck' Bucklin, who came into the area from New York in 1850. The lake is located in a valley known for almost 80 years as Bucks Ranch.

In 1925, the Bucks Creek Project was undertaken by the Feather River Power Company. Part of the project, Bucks Dam, was completed in 1929. Title passed to the Great Western Power Company the same year, and later to Pacific Gas and Electric Company. About half of the shoreline is now owned by Pacific Gas and Electric and the other half is under the management of the Forest Service.

HIKING
Hiking and backpacking are enjoyed by many in this area, since a protion of the Pacific Crest Trail crosses Bucks Summit about three miles east of Bucks Lake. The Mill Creek Trail connects the East side of Bucks Lake with Mill Creek Campground. An observation site on the road to the dam provides a view of Bucks Lake and surrounding area.

OFF ROAD VEHICLES
The use of off-road vehicles is restricted on posted National Forest lands around the Bucks Lake Area.

FISHING
Hunting and Fishing are regulated by the California Department of Fish and Game. Buck Lake and surrounding streams and lakes support rainbow, German brown, and brook trout and kokanee salmon. Bucks Lake is stocked with rainbow trout annually.

SUPPLIES
Supplies can be purchased at the two resorts on the south side of the lake. Additional services are available in Quincy, 15 miles away.