Snowmobiling
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Wintertime in Plumas County is serene and beautiful, as snow covers the landscape and things relax. But the tranquil season also offers visitors the opportunity and excitement of winter recreation, be it on skis, snowmobile, sled, snowshoes, or simply on foot.
Plumas County has the largest number of registered snowmobilers in the state, and the locals along with visitors can enjoy hundreds of miles of groomed trails throughout the two national forests.
For more detailed maps of the trails, staging areas and warming huts, choose from among these snowmobile maps:
Bucks Lake Snowmobile Trails Map
LaPorte Area Snowmobile Trails Map
Lakes Basin Snowmobile Trails Map
Or contact the Plumas National Forest (530) 283-2050 or the Lassen National Forest (530) 258-2141. Maps also are available at the Plumas County Visitors Bureau (800) 326-2247.
Bucks Lake. 17 miles southwest of Quincy on Bucks Lake Road (Quincy-Oroville Road), Bucks Lake has long been considered one of the finest snowmobile destinations in the west.
Up to 100 miles of groomed snowmobile routes are maintained throughout the winter. These trails are maintained for snowmobiles by the Bucks Lake Snowdrifters Club and the United States Forest Service through the Off-Highway Vehicle Green Sticker program.
In addition, there are hundreds of miles of ungroomed routes marked for snowmobiling throughout the forest.
There are three staging areas in the vicinity, along with a number of resorts with lodging and dining. The Four Trees staging area has a warming hut and is ten miles south of Bucks Lake; the Bucks Summit staging area is three miles north of the resorts on Bucks Lake Road; and the Big Creek staging area is seven miles from the resorts at the junction of Bucks Lake Road and Big Creek Road.
Bucks Lake Road is normally not plowed beyond Bucks Summit. Travel into the resorts must be done via snowmobile, snowcat or cross-country skiing.
La Porte. Historic La Porte is home to Little Grass Valley Reservoir and is renowned for its excellent snowmobiling opportunities.
There are more than 70 miles of marked, groomed trails. A staging area in La Porte offers a warming hut, bathrooms, parking and lights.
There are three other warming huts at Mooreville Ridge, Onion Valley and at the northeastern tip of Little Grass Valley Reservoir at the South Fork Feather River.
The Quincy/La Porte Road is not plowed from Quincy in the winter. Snowmobile rentals are available through Gold Country Resort, 530-675-2322.
Almanor Basin. The Almanor Basin offers an abundance of scenic snowmobiling areas.
Snowmobile tours are offered at Plumas Pines Resort on the west shore of the lake, (530) 259-4343.
Rentals are also available at Cedar Lodge Motel, at the junction of Hwys. 36 and 89, west of Chester, (530) 258-2904.
Near Chester are four staging areas which lead to many miles of both groomed and ungroomed trails.
From Chester, Warner Valley Road winds along the North Fork Feather River and Warner Creek, leading out to the Warner Valley and Lassen Volcanic National Park. Snowmobiles are not allowed within the national park boundaries.
East of Chester is a snowmobile park (staging area) with marked and groomed trails leading into the Swain Mountain Experimental Forest.
The park is located on A-21, north of Westwood. Another access is via Forest Road 10, a left-turn off Highway 36, opposite A-13, about five miles east of Chester. Road 10 is groomed for snowmobiling all the way to Silver Lake.
Also east of Chester is Mountain Meadows Reservoir (Walker Lake). Numerous ungroomed trails loop around the lake.
The Fredonyer snowmobile park, with access to 27 miles of trail, is located east of Westwood, on the south side of Highway 36, west of Fredonyer Summit.
The north side of High-way 36 is also groomed at this location, connecting it to the Swain Mountain trails.
About 20 miles west of Chester on Highway 36 is the Morgan Summit snowmobile park, just east of Mineral. It offers a warming hut and 77 miles of groomed trails. There also are groomed trails leading from the Highway 89 rest area on the west shore of Lake Almanor that connect into the Jonesville staging area north of Butte Meadows.
Another groomed trailhead begins at the boat launch just north of Canyon Dam on the west shore of Lake Almanor, with trails leading across the highway to the west.
Nine miles southeast of Lake Almanor, just before entering the beautiful Indian Valley, is Setzer Road. Opposite this is Old Haun Road, which leads up to the magnificent beauty of Keddie Peak and Homer Lake. From this point there are majestic views of the Almanor Basin, Lassen Peak, Indian Valley and the Mountain Meadows area.
Indian Valley. Many trails are marked for snowmobile use in the Indian Valley vicinity, but there are no groomed trails. Numerous unplowed roads in this area lead to spectacular winter landscapes and challenging rides. The best rides are located past Taylorsville and Genesee. Take the Beckwourth-Genesee Road from Greenville and drive around the resplendent Indian Valley for pristine winter sightseeing; then, after arriving in historic Taylorsville, take the road past Taylorsville out to Genesee. Take the road from Genesee toward Antelope Lake. Beyond the town of Genesee the road is unplowed. There are numerous roads which circle Antelope Lake.
The old Genesee-Beckwourth Road that continues through Clover Valley will take you across some of Plumas County's magnificent high country, down to Lake Davis and Portola.
Another unplowed trailhead is Lights Creek, located north of Taylorsville. Take North Valley Road two miles, then northeast on Diamond Mountain Road five miles (or to the end of the plowed road).
Lake Davis. is a well-known fishery for trophy trout, but during winter, when the snow stacks high, the Lake Davis area also becomes an excellent spot for snowmobiling as well as ice fishing.
There is an ungroomed trail around the lake, with a staging area at the lake's southeastern end, near the intersection of Lake Davis Road and Grizzly Road. There are also services nearby.
Access to Lake Davis is via Grizzly Road, which is usually kept plowed and well-maintained up to the staging area.
Snowmobilers also can take a three-mile loop trail to the Smith Peak lookout.
From the staging area, follow the road on the west side of Lake Davis to the start of the marked trail.
Frenchman Lake. Just 20 miles from Portola, and a quick 30-minute drive from Reno, is the Frenchman Lake area. Though there are no groomed trails at Frenchman, the beautiful scenery accommodates many splendid rides. Services are available in Chilcoot.
Lakes Basin Area. The spectacular beauty and diverse terrain have made the Lakes Basin area a primary snowmobiling destination for many years.
Gold Lake Highway, which winds through the Lakes Basin, connecting highways 89 and 49, is groomed and marked.
There are numerous ungroomed trails which branch off the main route, including a route to the Mills Peak lookout.
There is an undeveloped staging area at the northern end of the highway which moves with the snow line, ranging from Mohawk Chapman Road to the Gray Eagle Lodge road. A second staging area with rest rooms is located at the southern end of the highway, at Bassett's Station.
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