Contents and photos copyright 2003-2007 K Franson, J Franson, Westernpaddling.com, unless otherwise stated.  All rights reserved.

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Caples Lake

Location: In the Sierra, just west of Carson Pass, and south/southwest of Lake Tahoe.

Getting There:  CA Hwy 88 follows the north shore of the lake.  A few miles west of Carson Pass.

Camping/Lodging:  Caples Lake Resort with rooms, cabins, marina, restaurant, etc.  There is a campground across the highway from the resort.

Put-In/Take-Out:  At Caples Lake Resort (Launch ramp, paved, and small marina).  There are a few other areas to park, but with short hikes to launch boats.

Good Points: Mostly used by fishing boats, canoes, kayaks, and has a relatively low speed limit.  Outstanding scenery.  Easy drive from South Lake Tahoe.  Great on summer days when lower elevations are sweltering.  Lots of little islets to pull onto for lunch and sunning.

Not-as-Good Points:  Cold and deep water.  Parking at resort sometimes crowded.  If you put-in at resort, fee charged for car-tops is a bit excessive, but convenience and facilities probably worth it (if you are staying at the resort, their room and cabin rates are actually quite reasonable given location).  You can purchase a "season pass" for the launch ramp.  Otherwise a great lake.

Lake Size: About 600 acres.

Caples Lake, right off Hwy 88 and near Carson Pass, is one of our favorite paddling lakes.  Although the resort charges a launch fee for kayaks and canoes, the facilities are convenient.  If you paddle from the resort directly across the lake in a south-southeast direction for about 15 minutes, you will encounter a wonderful "coastline".  Granite formations, forest, and lots of little islets to paddle around.  We enjoy picnics at one of the many islets surrounding the southeastern shore of the lake.  At the west side of the lake is access to the Emigrant Trail, with traces part of its path along the south lakeshore.   The lake is about a 25-30 minute drive from the "Y" in South Lake Tahoe.

Aquaterra Sea Lion, cruising Caples in 2003

Above - Photo taken from near the "I" on the sketched map at bottom of this page.
	Looking west, on western half of Caples. Trail to Emigrant Lake passes alongside lake.
Looking east, with trail to Emigrant Lake.
Photo taken just north of the "I" on the sketched map below.	Caples Resort and marina is located above the canoe's stern, on left side of photo. View is to the north.