Looking for somewhere cool (in more ways than one) for you and your dog to explore this summer? The Lakes Basin Recreation Area straddles Plumas and Sierra counties about 70 miles north of Lake Tahoe. It’s truly a land of lakes, with more than four dozen pools of blue scattered in granite-strewn, glacier-carved landscapes laced with hundreds of miles of dog-friendly hiking trails.
If Lakes Basin is too far away for a day trip, start by making a reservation at an old-fashioned, dog-friendly cabin resort or newer luxury property. Herrington’s Sierra Pines, Chalet View Lodge, Gray Eagle Lodge, Camp Layman, Sierra Streamside Cabins, Packer Lake Lodge and The Lure Resort are ideally located and offer lodging in a range of prices. Most of these places have been welcoming dogs for years and keep water bowls, treats, and sometimes even dog beds on hand. There are also many campgrounds in the area for those who prefer sleeping under the stars. Get set, and then get hiking!
If you’re up for a challenge and your dog is as athletic as you are, plan to tackle the Sierra Buttes Lookout Trail, which takes off from a trailhead near Packer Lake. Hang onto your hat—the views if not the wind will sweep you away on this steep (elevation gain: 2,367 vertical feet) and dramatic five-mile trek to a fire lookout with 200 railed steps leading to the top of a dramatic granite outcrop that reminds many visitors of Switzerland. This is considered one of the top day-hikes in the state, almost on par with Half Dome in Yosemite. Most dogs handle the trail itself well, but the metal stairs at the lookout are not for every pup. You can tie your dog safely at the base of the stairs and still enjoy the 360-degree views from the platform above.
For something a little more mellow, start at Sardine Lake Resort at the base of the buttes. Follow the jeep road alongside Lower Sardine Lake, then hike the trail to Upper Sardine. The lake is a beautiful spot for a swim, and most dogs plunge right in. From there, the route, just shy of six scenic miles total, loops back around to where you started. It is a satisfying half-day hike with enough variety—forest, lakeshore, open ridge—to keep both you and your dog interested.
Also rated moderate, the Bear Lakes Loop Trail is one of the region’s most popular hikes and also one of its most rewarding. Starting on the Bear Lakes Trail and making a clockwise loop returning on the Silver Lake Trail, you’ll pass Little Bear, Big Bear and Cub lakes before reaching a spur trail for the hike’s highlight: Long Lake, one of the largest and most scenic lakes in the region. Dogs can swim in any of the lakes along the route, and the trail passes through shady pine forests that keep things cool even on warm afternoons. Bring a snack and plan to linger at Long Lake—it is the kind of place where you set down your pack and lose track of time.
