When national forests are closed for wildfire prevention, remember to check out state-owned lands and other recreation lands for your Get Out! needs! Crystal Lake, which flows into Baum Lake via a spillway, is on just such a property. Owned and managed by PG&E Company, both of these lakes remained open to the public during the recent national forest closures.
Photo by Don Burk.
While Baum Lake is definitely the main attraction (see our write-up, Baum Lake, November 20, 2020, for description and directions), Crystal Lake is worth more than a mere side note, especially if you are not looking for a full-blown hike. As you drive toward the entrance to Baum Lake on Baum Lake Road, you will notice at least three dirt parking areas to your left (north side of the road). Park in any of these parking areas and walk a couple hundred yards down well-defined trails to the south shore of Crystal Lake. This seems to be a popular place for locals to takes their pooches for a cool-off splash in the lake. We met two dripping, ecstatically happy puppies along this southern shoreline.
Photo by Don Burk.
The southern and western edges of Crystal Lake are the most meadowy and botanically diverse. Use-trails all along those edges are easy to find. We (of course) decided to try to walk all the way around the lake—not recommended unless finding yourself hopelessly lost in a sea of tules is something you would enjoy. (Or if you really feel that you must, stick close to the treeline.) After much cursing and swearing, we did actually make it all the way around to the spillway, and then from there followed the trail to Baum Lake’s parking lot and water access area. There are several picnic tables here, but we chose to sit on a grassy knoll by the water’s edge to eat our lunch and let a variety of waterfowl entertain us. There were several groups fishing, and one kayaker out on the water. This is a peaceful, low-key wildlife area that has a little something for everyone.
End-of-season blooms were few, but a couple were new to us. Here’s a quick slideshow of some of the things we saw. All photos by Don Burk. Enjoy! ~Laurie & Don Burk
