A body of crystal-clear water ringed by granite slabs — how Sierra perfect is that? Long Lake, in the Tahoe National Forest‘s Serene Lakes group off the Soda Springs exit on Interstate 80, is a favorite summertime lake destination for families that count dogs as members. Get there early on weekends to claim a perch from which you can throw sticks to Rover all day.
A high-clearance vehicle is desirable but not mandatory for negotiating Kidd Lake Road, a rutted gravel lane that departs from the parking lot on Highway 50 and leads to Deer Lake Girl Scout Camp, the now-abandoned Pahatsi Boy Scout Camp and PG&E’s Kidd Lake group campground. It dead-ends after 4.8 miles at a clearing overlooking Upper and Lower Cascade Lakes, where there is ample parking. Scramble down an incline, walk over the dam and follow the easy Palisade Creek Trail about half a mile to your destination. You will find clear, cold water and gorgeous granite outcrops all along the shore. The setting, with 7,533-foot Devils Peak rising like a sentinel in the background, is nothing short of sublime.
Long Lake is quite popular on summer weekends, but during the week you might have it all to yourself. The granite slabs along the shoreline make natural launching pads for stick-fetching dogs, and the water stays refreshingly cold even in August. Dogs can wade in easily from several spots where the rock slopes gently into the water — no steep drop-offs to worry about.
A few practical notes: There’s no shade right at the lake’s edge, so bring a portable canopy or plan to set up near the tree line if you’re spending a full day. Carry in all your water and food — the nearest services are back at the Soda Springs exit. And keep your dog close near the dam, where water flows over slick rock. The rest of the shoreline, though, is a natural dog playground.
