| Area: 1,500 Acres | ||
| Lat: 38.9961° N | ||
| Lon: 120.3061° W | ||
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| Loon Lake/Crystal Basin Recreation Area - Site # 125 | |||
| Loon Lake is one of five Crystal Basin reservoirs at the edge of Desolation Wilderness. | |||
| Background: | Rocky outcroppings and forests offer glimpses of towhees, vireos, warblers, five woodpecker species, and occasional mountain quail and sooty grouse. Yellow-bellied marmots sun themselves on rocks; mule deer, squirrels, and chipmunks are vever far from cover. Snags serve as perches for ospreys, golden eagles, and other birds of prey. Quiet coves offer good views of common mergansers and Canda geese. | ||
| Wildlife and Where to Find It: | Excellent viewing at Union Valley spring and fall. | ||
| Viewing Tips: | High probability of seeing waterfowl, songbirds, woodpeckers and deer in spring and summer; also uncommon birds such as green-tailed towhees. Upland birds, birds of prey, small mammals, and black bears also present spring and summer. Crystal Basin is 75,000 acres. Gerle Creek has universally accessible trail. | ||
| Site Notes: | Permits are required for Desolation Wilderness. Loon Lake Complex has three group campgrounds including an group equestrian camping area. Location: 23 miles east of Placerville on Highway 50 and 29 miles north on Ice House Road (Forest Road 3) on the south side of Loon Lake. Group 1: 10 Walk-In Tent Units, 50 People Maximum. Accessible units. Closest to shore. Group 2: 6 Tent, Trailer or R.V. Units, 35 People Maximum. Accessible units. Group 3: Equestrian (Horses) 5 Tent, Trailer or R.V. Units, 25 People Maximum | ||
| Nearby Viewing Sites: | Lake Tahoe Visitors Center at Taylor Creek Emerald Bay/D.L. Bliss State Park Hope Valley Wildlife Area | ||
| Visitor Information: | Visit El Dorado - (530) 621-5885 - http://visit-eldorado.com | ||
| Viewing Site Hours of Operation are: | |||
| Staff On-site: | Yes | ||
| Open: | Everday | ||
| Hours: | Sunrise to sunset | ||
| Year Round: | Yes | ||
| Road Information: |  Paved. | ||
| Road Hazards: Watch for logging trucks. | |||
 Number of Parking Spaces: 10 | |||
| Parking Fee: Yes | |||
| Proximity to viewing area: | |||
 Pull-Through Parking: Yes | |||
| Parking Notes: | |||
| Special Tips: | Information for the Crystal Basin Area is handled by the Pacific Ranger District at 530-647-5415 year-round and the Crystal Information Station east of Union Valley Reservoir on Ice House Road during the summer. | ||
| How to Get There: | From Pollock Pines, take Highway 50 east 8 miles. Turn north on Icehouse Road and drive 30 miles to Loon Lake. | ||
| Contact Information | |||
| Managing Agency: | USDA Forest Service - Pacific Ranger District/El | ||
| Agency Site URL: | https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/eldorado/recarea/?recid=71069 | ||
| Physical Address: | 7887 Highway 50 Pollock Pines, CA 95726-9602 |
Agency 2: | 4260 Eight Mile Road Camino , CA 95709 |
| Manager Phone: | |||
| Site Phone: | (530) 644-2349 (PP) (530) 644-2324 (Camino) | ||
| County: | El Dorado | ||
| Addition Website: | http://tinyurl.com/y9ax2lto | ||