June 23 (Sunday) Paint-Out at Watson Lake (above Tahoe City)

Date:          June 23, 2013 (Sunday)
Time:          9:00 - 9:30 am or earlier if you want!
Place:         Watson Lake
Parking:      Small dirt parking area for picnic, hiking, etc.  Since this is a summer weekend, advise getting there between 9 and 9:30

Amenities:    Port-a-pottie nearby
                    Cell service is questionable

Directions:    From South end of Reno to Brockway Summit:  About 30 miles/50 min:  Take Mt. Rose Hwy to Incline, turn Right on N. Lake Blvd. heading to Kings Beach, turn Right on 267 (No. Shore Rd) and go up to the top (Brockway Summit) and turn Left at the turn-out.  This should be the entrance to Fiberboard Freeway.  Fiberboard Freeway is a paved logging road.  Take this road for about 6 miles (miles are marked on the pavement for bicyclists).  At some point the road has changed name to Mount Watson Road.  Watch for a spur road to the left and sign that says "Watson Lake".  This is a short (less than one mile) road to the lake that ends in a parking area for picnic and hiking around this little lake.

From Northwest Reno to Brockway Summit:  About the same time and mileage, but go I-80 to Truckee, take 267 turn-off and head west toward Northstar.  Pass Northstar and continue up to Brockway Summit and look for the turn-off on the right.

From Brockway Summit to Watson Lake:  6.7 miles

Map:            http://www.tahoeloco.com/archives/2938  this link has a map that shows the paved road from 267 at Brockway Summit to Watson Lake.  If you click the zoom-in several times, you can see the names of the roads and even the trail names.

Meeting Place:    If you are uncertain about the logging road from Brockway Summit to Watson Lake, Monika and I are meeting at the turn-off at Brockway Summit and the Fiberboard Freeway at 9:00 and caravanning in.


What to bring:

• camera
• painting gear
• drinking water, snacks or lunch
• sunscreen and hat and bug spray
• jacket or windbreaker (it is always cooler up in the mountains)
• cell phone
• TP (port-a-potties supplies can't be relied on)

Parking area is a stone's throw from the lake.  An easy trail goes around the lake.  The Tahoe Rim Trail is here as well.  I haven't been there since 2006, and my pictures were taken then of the lovely area: