Gerle Interpretive Trail
Distance 0.7 mile; Difficulty easy; Elevations 5,280’-5,260’-5,280’; No horses or motorized vehicles; Wheel chair accessible.
This aggregate- surfaced trail...
...pleasant stroll from the campground or from the other end at the day- use area.
DESCRIPTION:
This aggregate-surfaced trail begins at the Gerle Creek Campground at its entrance road and then parallels Gerle Creek going a short distance upstream through a mixed conifer forest. A new metal bridge crosses the creek and then proceeds above and around the east side of the reservoir to the Angel Creek Picnic Area. Streamside vegetation, large boulders, fishing, swimming holes and large pine and fir trees make this a pleasant stroll from the campground or from the other end at the day-use area. The trail bridge alone is worth a picture. The trail is perfect for families with young kids or grandparents.
DIRECTIONS:
To Gerle Interpretive Trail
Take Highway 50 east of Placerville for 21 miles to the paved Icehouse Road FS#3 turnoff just after crossing the large brid
ACTIVITIES:
Mountain Biking (Rating: Good)
Perfect for small kids and their bikes. The trail is fairly wide and the aggregate surface makes a good training spot or for an easy ride for adults.
Fishing (Rating: Good)
Both the reservoir and Gerle Creek are attractive fishing spots. The creek is actually more rewarding than the lake. The lake has some nice-sized Browns but are tricky to catch, and most of the recreationists prefer to swim and paddle any kind of rubber or plastic dingy rather than fish. No motors are allowed on boats. The shoreline provides good fishing around the lake. A handicapped accessible pier into the lake near the campground is provided. But this is also where the majority of people swim. Go in the off-season when the water is too cool for swimming but perfect for making the fish more active.
.
Gerle Creek is a good place to teach kids to fish the flowing waters of a Sierras’ stream. The Brown Trout are a feature fish by CF&G and are periodically stocked into the stream, but not into the lake itself. Brookies are kid-sized and hungry.
Hiking: Dayhikes (Rating: Good)
Don’t drive to this spot just to hike the trail, but don’t miss the stroll if you’re at the campground or picnic area. The trail is a nice companion to the Harvest Trail on the other side of the lake and you can do both in one hike or take the kids on two separate hikes.
.
Handicap Accessible. The gentle, wide, aggregate-surfaced-tread makes this a good experience for wheel-chair bound recreationists. Having someone along to push occasionally is a good idea.
