Warren Lake trail questions

[giantbrookie]

Hi folks, I'm planning a backpack to Warren Lake and I'm wondering about the trail kickoff point. From what I've I think you're supposed to park south of 80, then hike under 80 on the PCT before splitting off of the PCT onto the Summit Lake trail, then the onto the Warren Lake trail. Is this correct and if so, how does one get there. Also, did the older, apparently overflowing parking north of I80 close? The latter question is relevant because it saves hiking distance.

I am still not sold on taking the longer trailed way into Warren versus revising the finish to my 1995 dayhike to Warren from White Rock Lake that got me stuck in the 3rd worst brush I've ever been through. From what I've read there are better off trail routes down to Warren from the PCT.

At any rate, more details on the Warren Lake trail beginning including where the parking is off of I80 will help me make the decision on how I plan my upcoming trip.

[giantbrookie]

Hi folks. I found the answer to this question on the Tahoe NF website. They have trail descriptions for each ranger district within the NF and the Warren Lake trail description, including trailhead parking and such, are in the document describing trails in the Truckee Ranger District (pdf of scan that can be downloaded from the Tahoe NF website). I also have the latest Tahoe NF map and it shows the parking area which is just south of I80--there is even an inset to details of trails in the Donner Summit area. I plan to head up there Aug 12-14 and plan to post a report after I return.

[Gazelle]

when I went to warren, I went up most of castle peak, then across the ridge which has a trail to basin peak, then a little off trail to the warren lake trail. alot shorter but the trail way works also.

[giantbrookie]

when I went to warren, I went up most of castle peak, then across the ridge which has a trail to basin peak, then a little off trail to the warren lake trail. alot shorter but the trail way works also.

Sounds like a neat route. I'll study the topo a bit.

[jefffish]

Interesting choice Jon. I've always wondered if there were fish in Warren. So really looking forward to your report. Last I heard (10yrs ago) it was overrun by golden shiners and very few trout, if any. Have never really heard anything about Devil's Oven Lake or Paradise either, fishing-wise. Good luck.

~Jeff

[giantbrookie]

Interesting choice Jon. I've always wondered if there were fish in Warren. So really looking forward to your report. Last I heard (10yrs ago) it was overrun by golden shiners and very few trout, if any. Have never really heard anything about Devil's Oven Lake or Paradise either, fishing-wise. Good luck.

~Jeff

Given the timing of this planned trip in mid August it's fair to say that it is unlikely that this will be a fair test of the quality of the fishery there. The midsummer slump was bad enough the last two weeks at the lakes I fished, all but two of which were at a higher absolute or effective elevation (allowing for latitude, exposure, etc.) than the objective. There is a good chance I'll launch 100 casts and not even see a sign of trout owing to the time of the year, but the 2019 CDFW survey shows there is in fact a population of fish at low population density (you know what this means in terms of size). For best 'testing' of fishing quality I should be doing this late September or in October, but my main motivation for doing this trip is the trail itself which is the subject of a really glowing description in a guidebook that has stuck in my head since at least the late 80s (and possibly before if said statement was in an earlier edition; my hiking partner says the statement wasn't in the first edition in 1975). I have various Plan Bs in place in case of total skunkage because this is slotted as a three day trip. If I'm shut out on day 1 and the morning of day 2, I plan to hike out relocate somewhere else and hike in (Plans B and C are in the Sierra Buttes-Yuba Summit area, Plan D would be Grouse Ridge). FYI Paradise has been shown to be fishless.

[mfassett]

Interesting choice Jon. I've always wondered if there were fish in Warren. So really looking forward to your report. Last I heard (10yrs ago) it was overrun by golden shiners and very few trout, if any. Have never really heard anything about Devil's Oven Lake or Paradise either, fishing-wise. Good luck.

~Jeff

hey guys, I've been to Warren several times over the last couple of decades. Yes fish are in there, brookies and cutthroat trout. They are not always easy to catch.

Paradise I haven't been to in maybe 15 years, back then there were trout in there (rainbows). No idea if they are still there. At one time Devil's Oven had fish in it but last time I was there I think it was fishless.