If you want to go

Location: Caples Lake is at 7,800 feet along Highway 88 in Eldorado National Forest near Carson Pass

Distances: 31 miles from South Lake Tahoe, 57 miles from Jackson, 102 miles from Sacramento, 141 miles from Livermore, 184 miles from San Francisco.

Lodging/cabins: Caples Lake Resort has nine cabins, six B&B-style lodge rooms; $88 to $121 lodge rooms, $150 to $300 for cabins. Camping: Campgrounds available at Caples Lake, Silver Lake, Kirkwood Lake, Woods Lake, West Fork Carson River and Indian Creek Reservoir. Rates, contacts, locations vary for each.

Wilderness hike, camp: Trailheads at Woods Lake and Carson Pass provide access to the Mokelumne Wilderness, Pacific Crest Trail and many small lakes in day-hike range. Campsites are available at Winnemucca Lake (1.5 miles from trailhead at Woods Lake) and Fourth of July Lake (4.4 miles from trailhead at Woods Lake); wilderness permit required from Carson Pass Information Station.

Boat rentals: Fishing boats with small motors, kayaks and canoes available at Caples Lake Marina. Rates start at $20 for two hours for a kayak, $40 for two hours for a 12-foot fishing boat with 7.5-horsepower motor.

Kayak/canoes: If you own a car-top boat, seven lakes in area provide access for self-powered boats.

Mountain biking: Grover Hot Springs State Park (toward Burnside Lake) to Charity Valley is the best mountain bike trek in region. Map/brochure: Map of Eldorado National Forest, $14, www. nationalforestmapstore.com.

Contacts: Caples Lake Resort, (209) 258-8888, www.capleslake resort.com; Eldorado National Forest, Amador Ranger District, 209295-4251, www.fs.usda.gov/eldorado.