If you want to go
The payoff: Webber Lake is open to the public after being off-limits for most of the past century to provide stellar camping, low-speed boating, fishing, camping and stargazing.
Location: Roughly 25 miles and 45 minutes north of Truckee in the High Sierra at an elevation of 8,600 feet
Dates: Webber Lake opened last week to the public for hiking, fishing and boating. A new campground will open to the public Tuesday.
Camping: 36 sites for tents and selfcontained RVs, with picnic table, bear box, fire pit with grate, are available starting Tuesday through Oct. 15 (or when snow flies), $27.27 per night. Reserve at http://tdlandtrust.org, click on “Webber Lake Campground Reservations.”
Boating: Boat ramp, parking for vehicles with trailers available, 5-mph speed limit.
Self-inspection: For all boats, self-inspection Launch Certification Permit for aquatic invasive species is required to be displayed on dashboard of vehicle. Form: www.sierracounty.ca.gov/Document Center, click on public works, and then in the pull-down tab, click on “Aquatic Invasive Species” and download self-inspection form.
Information: Webber Lake/Lacey Meadows, Truckee Donner Land Trust, (530) 582-4711, http://tdlandtrust.org.
HOW TO GET THERE
From San Francisco: Take Interstate 80 east to Truckee and Exit 188A (toward Truckee and also signed for Highway 89) for 0.3 of a mile to Donner Pass Road. Turn left and drive 0.2 of a mile to a traffic circle and take second exit to Donner Pass Road and continue 0.3 of a mile to another traffic circle. At this traffic circle, take the second exit to Highway 89 and drive 14 miles to Bear Valley/Cottonwood Road. Turn left and drive about 80 yards to Jackson Meadows Road. Turn left and drive 8.1 miles to Henness Pass Road (signed for Webber Lake). Turn left (road becomes dirt) for 0.25 of a mile to gate (lake is on your left). Bear right at fork and drive 0.25 of a mile to a road on your left, signed for Lacey Meadows. Turn left and drive 0.6 of a mile to parking, billboard with maps and info, and campground.
Distances: 24 miles from Truckee, 124 miles from Sacramento, 191 miles from Concord, 211 miles from downtown San Francisco.