The long Fourth of July weekend kicks off the summer season for many people. Of course, with the sluggish economy many local residents are deciding to stay at home and enjoy the county.
Clear Lake traditionally attracts a lot of tourists on holiday weekends. Most are here to sample the outstanding bass fishing, but there is more to Clear Lake than its fishing. The lake is also home to a variety of waterfowl and shore birds. You can see western grebes doing their mating dance on the placid waters or watch a giant heron stalk a small fish. Bald eagles and osprey also nest in the giant oaks along the shoreline. In fact, scientists often compare Clear Lake to the richest rain forests in the world.
Kayaking has become very popular at Clear Lake and the county has a list of water trails where you can view bird life as well as other wildlife. Actually you can use these water trails for any type of boat traffic, including pontoon boats. One of the more interesting areas is Rodman Slough. A trip up the slough is like going into a South American jungle.
In addition to the wonders of Clear Lake, there are dozens of outdoor possibilities locally where you won”t have to take out a loan or sell the home. Upper Blue Lake has some monster trout as well as largemouth bass. There are three resorts on the lake offering campgrounds, cabins, docks, boat rentals as well as boat launching facilities.
For those who prefer to relax and enjoy nature, a camping trip to Lake Pillsbury should fit in perfectly. There are three Forest Service Campgrounds sitting on the shore of the lake. Many visitors use the campgrounds as a “jumping off” site for hiking on nearby Hull Mountain and other areas in the national forest. Even though the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) hasn”t stocked the lake with trout this year, there is a good population of largemouth bass and bluegill, plus several excellent campgrounds. Best of all, the lake is only a 45-minute drive from Lakeport. The only downside is that the lake is popular with campers and you normally have to get there by Friday to reserve a campsite. The best way to get to the lake is via the county road out of Potter Valley.
For those who seek solitude, then Indian Valley Reservoir is an ideal choice. The lake sits in the southeastern section of the county and offers excellent bass and catfishing. There is a boat ramp at the dam as well as a campground. The attractive part about this lake is there are no buildings or docks on the shoreline.
A low lake level this past summer has deterred a lot of the fishing activity at the lake but there are still plenty of fish to be found. Even with a lower-than-normal lake level the smallmouth and largemouth bass fishing has been outstanding. To reach the lake, take the Walker Ridge Road off Highway 20 in eastern Lake County.
Lake County is also a haven for campers and hikers. The Mendocino National Forest has campgrounds ranging from improved to primitive.
One of the more isolated campgrounds is Bear Creek, which is situated at the edge of the Snow Mountain Wilderness Area. This primitive campground offers beauty and solitude. The nearby Snow Mountain Wilderness Area is popular with hikers. The well-maintained trails meander through cool pine forests. From the 7,200-foot summit of Snow Mountain one can see much of the Sacramento Valley, including Mount Shasta.
One of the more poplar camping areas in the county is Clear Lake State Park. The park sits on the shores of Clear Lake and has 147 campsites, a boat ramp and a swimming area. There are several nature trails meandering through the park where you can view deer, wild turkeys and various birds.
Regardless of where you go be sure and take plenty of sunscreen. If you plan on taking a trip to the Mendocino National Forest, be sure and let someone know where you going and when you will be back.
