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Reno: Penner Lake
This 5.4-mile out-and-back has it all: 5-star camping, superlative swimming, and picture-postcard scenery along a patchwork of lakes in Tahoe National Forest.
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| Author: | Backpacker Magazine |
| Activity: | Backpacking |
| State: | California (CA) |
| Distance: | 2.74 mi |
| Difficulty: | 5 / 10 |
| Rating: |
 1 rating(s)
|
TO TRAILHEAD: I-80 W to CA 20 W to FR 18 N (Bowman Rd.) to FR 17 E; follow signs to Carr Lake Campground.
| Position Format: | Datum: |
Tracks
PLT01
| Distance: 2.74 mi | Points: 891 |
Penner Lake Track
Points of Interest
PLT001
Location: 39.401005, -120.640610Begin on Round Lake Trail along N shore of Carr Lake (6,664 ft.); cross riffles of Lake Creek
PLT002
Location: 39.399281, -120.634636Skirt S shore of Feeley Lake beneath sloping ridge; red scree dome of Fall Creek Mtn. frames view to N
PLT003
Location: 39.397213, -120.627274Climb along N shore of unnamed pond circled by alders and sedges
PLT004
Location: 39.396248, -120.623329Turn N onto Crooked Lakes Trail, skirting Island Lake's shoreline
PLT005
Location: 39.399925, -120.623413NW shore of granite-encircled Island Lake; mighty fine swimming
PLT006
Location: 39.403057, -120.619301Hike under red fir to small waterfall on Island Lake's outlet. Hidden Lake rests in contours of Fall Creek Mtn.
PLT007
Location: 39.409058, -120.617142Hike along W edge of marshy Crooked Lakes; bear down for ascent along talus path laced by manzanita, huckleberry
PLT008
Location: 39.412842, -120.617058Steep section before Penner Lake; see jagged Black Buttes to E
PLT009
Location: 39.415146, -120.617050Crest ridge to view rocky shore of deep, emerald Penner Lake below; drop W off ridge toward Culbertson Lake
PLT010
Location: 39.417747, -120.616524Penner Lake (6,895 ft.); best tent sites are on NE end. Optional: Scramble .4 mi. up ridge W of lake for dramatic views down to Culbertson and Lindsey Lakes ; continue 1.6 mi. N to bag Bowman Peak
Island Lake Wide Shot
Location: 39.400177, -120.622940A clear alpine lake perfect for rest stop. ©Loren Stout
Shores of Island Lake
Location: 39.396519, -120.625198A rocky isle within the lake offers the perfect swim spot. ©Loren Stout
Ghosts of the Forest
Location: 39.398979, -120.633919A melancholy fog surrounds this stand of moss-draped conifers along Feely Lake. ©Loren Stout
Shores of Penner Lake
Location: 39.418972, -120.614456Pines teeter along the tranquil shores of an alpine gem. ©Loren Stout
Shard of Rock
Location: 39.423599, -120.616280From the peak north of Penner Lake, the trail is littered with broken talus. ©Loren Stout
Inundated Meadow
Location: 39.397373, -120.628784During the wet season, this meadow becomes a bog. ©Loren Stout
Hillside in Shadow
Location: 39.413876, -120.616791Flecks of sunlight peer through monster clouds on the ascent to Penner Lake. ©Loren Stout
Geometry of Nature
Location: 39.397804, -120.631584The growth pattern of this chartreuse moss parallels the ridgline. ©Loren Stout
Across Penner Lake
Location: 39.418430, -120.616676Smooth-as-glass waters reflect the craggy edges of Penner Lake. ©Loren Stout
Misty Timbers
Location: 39.399334, -120.635406A hazy morning over fallen branches along Feely Lake. ©Loren Stout
Nature's Framing
Location: 39.411266, -120.616989Tall pines outline a serene meadow in Tahoe National Forest. ©Loren Stout
Rocky Path
Location: 39.404690, -120.618896Fallen needles and rocks line the path to Penner Lake. ©Loren Stout
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