Sunday Drive: Union Valley Reservoir - SFGate
What you’ll see: Union Valley Reservoir is a big, gorgeous lake — nearly 3,000 acres — that is nestled on the west flank of the Sierra at an elevation of 4,900 feet. Spend the night: The lake provides camping (developed, primitive and boat-in/hike-in), fishing, boating and water sports, and a paved bike trail. The landscape is filled with ponderosa pines that lead to the high granite country near the Sierra crest. Location: Union Valley is located in the Crystal Basin Recreation Area in Eldorado National Forest, west of the Sierra crest at Tahoe, north of Placerville and U. S. 50. Lake levels: Union Valley is 74 percent full. Nearby lakes in region: Ice House Reservoir is 80 percent full with good fishing, Loon Lake is 52 percent full with good kayaking, access to Pleasant Lake. Fishing: Union Valley often provides good fishing. Even with the lake at full, you can find protected coves where the lake’s cool, clean, calm water is ideal for swimming. Bike trail: There is a 4. 5-mile trail, less than a mile from Union Valley Reservoir. It's a classic Sierra forest setting, with plenty of ponderosa pines on the north side of Big Silver Creek. free camping at Camino Cove, West Point, Azalea Cove , Lone Rock. Source: www.sfgate.com
