Harvest Trail
Distance 0.5 mile; Difficulty easy but footing is often rough or uneven; Elevations 5,260’-5,240’; No horses or motorized vehicles; Interpretive Trail with signs
...leads you around the western shore of Gerle Creek Reservoir.
...photogenic places of the lake plus the varied habitat make this a great family stroll.
DESCRIPTION:
This interpretive trail starts at the Gerle Creek Reservoir Picnic Area near the fishing pier and a few feet south of the campground and leads you around the western shore of Gerle Creek Reservoir. Signs placed along the trail describe how Native Americans gathered food in this area many centuries ago. Large pine and fir trees, a short boardwalk over a marsh, bridge over a small creek, and several great photogenic places of the lake plus the varied habitat make this a great family stroll. The trail peters out just before reaching the dam but adventurous hikers can scramble to the western end of the dam. You can’t cross the dam though. The trail provides several good, shoreline fishing spots.
DIRECTIONS:
To Harvest Trail
Take Highway 50 east of Placerville for 21 miles to the paved Icehouse Road FS#3 turnoff just after crossing the large bridge across the South Fork American River. Turn left, go 28 miles to a signed fork in the road that veers right to Loon Lake. Continue straight for about 3 miles via FS Road #33. Follow signs to Gerle Lake Campground.
ACTIVITIES:
Hiking: Dayhikes (Rating: Best)
The “best” rating is with kids in mind. This is another great family stroll for campers or day-users at the reservoir. This can be coupled with the Gerle Interpretive Trail and is a bit more adventuresome for small kids.
Mountain Biking (Rating: Good)
The trail is available, but is so short it works best as a place to let the kids learn single-track riding.
Fishing (Rating: Good)
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, especially that stretch served by this trail, 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.
