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Billy Lake
This lake is rather "hidden", although not too far off HWY 395. Most
maps do not show it (you can see it using Google Earth). Located about 3
miles due east of Independence, and about a 20 mile drive north of Lone Pine.
If looking at a local map of Inyo County, do not confuse this with either Duck
Lake or Twin Lakes, which are just north of Independence. While small
(very roughly 1/2 the size of Diaz Lake in Lone Pine, or 40-45ish surface acres
- but just a guess), it has a wealth of waterfowl, and is great for sitting in
your kayak in the early morning getting some great nature photos. Takes
about 50 minutes to an hour to paddle the lake and the channel on the northeast
end of the lake. Lake is shallow, and there are some snags, but they are
obvious and there is little if any current. Lake was reportedly formed the
same way as Diaz, ie by the Lone Pine Earthquake of 1872. Note that on the
south and eastern shorelines, there are Tule "islands" forming channels that
lead around the main portion of the lake. There is no camping or overnight
use allowed at the lake.
Directions: (Note there are no signs posted saying "Billy Lake").
Going north along US HWY 395 drive to the south end of the town of Independence.
Start looking for Mazourka Canyon Road (a short distance north of the turnoff
for the county dump). Turn EAST on Mazourka Canyon. Go east about
3.1 to 3.2 miles. On the left (ie north side of road) look for a wide dirt
road. There is a sign on the east side of the dirt road saying "no camping
- day use only". This dirt road is MUCH wider than other dirt roads you
may have passed on the way. Go north on this dirt road about 0.7 to 0.8
miles. You will see a dirt road leading right (east) - turn and look
immediately left (north) and you will see a fairly large parking area shaped as a
"U". The put-in is at the northeast side of this "U".
There are no facilities at the lake. Nearest public restroom is back on
HWY 395. Instead of turning east at Mazourka Canyon Canyon Road on your
way to the lake, just turn west into the small county park across the street.
There is currently (Oct 2008) no market in the town, as it closed earlier in the
year, so for supplies stop in either Lone Pine to the south or Big Pine to the
north. There is a Subway sandwich shop located at the Chevron
station/mini-mart in town.
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Billy Lake, home of the Redneck Yot Club. Sign on ground by the put-in.
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Put-in at southwest end of Billy Lake.
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Parking at the put-in. Put-in is just to the right of the kayak on ground.
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Paddling along one of the channels.
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Although much of the lake is not this shallow, the rest is not a lot deeper.
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Joy on a Hurricane Phoenix 140.
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Northbound. Main lake to left, north channel towards right.
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Billy Lake with Sierra in background. Violet paddling a Hurricane Phoenix 120.
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View of the northeast channel, we are now heading south back into the lake.
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Yes, there are snags, but the birds love this stuff!
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Looking at the main portion of lake, viewing north
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Looking southeast towards Inyo Range
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Put-in site viewed from Lake
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Dirt road to lake, viewing from Mazourka Canyon Road and looking north.
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Sign at entrance to dirt road heading north to lake from Mazourka Canyon Road. Says "no camping - day use only". Nothing is marked "Billy Lake".
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Rough map below, NOT to scale. Dirt road also goes around the eastern side
of the lake. Note channel to northeast side of lake, you can paddle up
this for a little ways (about 10 minutes paddle time one way along that channel)
- it does clog up as you get to the top end.
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