Packer Lake Lodge
3901 Packer Lake Rd, Sierra City, CA 96125
Tel: 530-862-1221
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The Lodge is open from May 23 thru October 13, 2008

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Rafting
Much of the recent press about Sierra County goes to mountain biking but the area has always been known for great rafting and kayaking. The North Yuba has Class 1V and V rapids from April till about the 4th of July depending on the flow. Much attention goes to the infamous Maytag (“Spin Cycle”) Class V rapid. The more challenging rafting (more technical) however can be found further upstream in Moss Caynon which passes through our property on the Fournier Ranch. There are three outfitters that have a license to run commercial ventures on the North Yuba. Click one or all of them below to find out more info on the North Yuba.

Whitewater Voyages

Tributary Whitewater Tours
Guided rafting trips on the North Yuba River, American River, Truckee River and many others. For all levels, from novice and families (kids from 4yrs), to expert only whitewater.

Beyond Limits

The ideal flow for rafting the North Yuba is between 1000-2000 cfs but can be done between 800-4000 cfs. Please click on this link to double check on conditions and flow information.

Kayaking
The North Yuba is considered an “expert” river and should be treated with respect by kayakers. To read more about kayaking the Yuba, Downie, Pauley Creek please click on one of the links below:

All About Rivers: California: Yuba

California Creeks: Yuba

Kayaking the Yuba River

Ask any mountain biker where the "Mecca" of their sport is and you'll likely to receive only two answers: Downieville and Moab, Utah. Downieville is famous for many mountain bike trails but none as famous as the "Downieville Downhill". It's a 4,500 ft drop from Packer Saddle (7,500 ft) to Downieville (3,000 ft). Riders take a shuttle to the top and then turned loose on the single track road to town. It's about as close to a natural amusement park as you can get. It's fun to see the mountain bikers come in to town smiling. Read more in the links below.

http://bikemag.com/features/onlineexclusive/021306_best/

http://www.ogrehut.net/trails.php/Sierra-North/Downieville

http://www.mtbr.com/trails/California-Allotherareas/DownievilleDownhill.html

http://gorp.away.com/gorp/location/ca/top10mtb5.htm

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A38853-2004Aug27.html

Downieville has a population of 300 but two bike shops! Check out their websites for shuttle information:

http://www.downievilleoutfitters.com/trailinfo.html

http://www.yubaexpeditions.com

The "Downhill Downhill" is not the only ride in town. Check out the other rides on this great website with maps:

http://www.mtbsingletrack.com/index.html

For many there is no closer feeling to being in the Swiss Alps in America than hiking to the top of the Sierra Buttes. Sitting on a boat in the middle of Lower Sardine, hiking the Bear Lakes Loop, or just going to Bassett’s Station for an ice cream on a hot summers day are what keep people coming back to the Lakes Basin for a lifetime. Because almost all of Sierra County is comprised of Tahoe National Forest, things are much as they were a hundred years ago (and not likely to change much). While Lake Tahoe builds another strip mall, Sierra County, which takes nearly two hours to traverse on Highway 49, has yet to have a stoplight!

General Info:

http://www.sierraoutdoorrecreation.com/Members/Winter/Lakes_Basin_Gold_Lake.cfm

http://www.sierraoutdoorrecreation.com/Areas/Lakes_Basin.cfm

http://www.bettercamper.com/show/mountain_link.pl/mountain_id/388

http://www.historichwy49.com/Sierraco/screc.html

Trail Info:http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/tahoe/recreation/yr_north/summer.shtml

The North Fork Yuba River from Sierra City downstream to Ladies Canyon Creek is a special regulation area. Signs designating this section are posted near the river Anglers may use only artificial lures or flies with single barbless hooks. A two-fish limit applies and fish must be at least ten inches long to be kept. Because of this special status and the fact that access is limited because of private property concerns this stretch of river is considered the best river fishing in Sierra County. To read more, click below:

http://www.sierraoutdoorrecreation.com/Activities/Fishing.cfm

http://gorp.away.com/gorp/resource/us_national_forest/ca/fis_tah1.htm

Sierra County has numerous lakes within 15 minutes of our properties. Some like Lower Sardine, Salmon Lake, and Gold Lake are heavily stocked and can be fished by boat or by the shore. Others need to be hiked into and can only be fished from the shore. Young America Lake, in the shadow of the Sierra Buttes, is home to the California Golden Trout and is a hike not for the faint of heart, while others, like Lower Sardine and Packer Lake, are almost guaranteed to produce stocked rainbows and brook trout. For a great day rent a boat with the family at the Sardine Lake Lodge and fish Lower Sardine Lake with nighcrawlers or Power Bait. You’ll have a memorable, relaxing day.
Check out this fishing link: http://totalescape.com/destin/lakes/sardine.html

Located on the shores of Gold Lake, Reid Horse and Cattle Co. has been doing both hourly and overnight trips for years. For more informaton, contact Reid Horse.com.
 

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