Reno: Penner Lake
This 5.4-mile out-and-back has it all: 5-star camping, superlative swimming, and picture-postcard scenery along a patchwork of lakes in Tahoe National Forest.
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Trail Facts
- Distance: 4.4
Waypoints
PLT001
Location: 39.4010047912598, -120.640609741211
Begin on Round Lake Trail along N shore of Carr Lake (6,664 ft.); cross riffles of Lake Creek
PLT002
Location: 39.3992805480957, -120.634635925293
Skirt S shore of Feeley Lake beneath sloping ridge; red scree dome of Fall Creek Mtn. frames view to N
PLT003
Location: 39.3972129821777, -120.62727355957
Climb along N shore of unnamed pond circled by alders and sedges
PLT004
Location: 39.3962478637695, -120.623329162598
Turn N onto Crooked Lakes Trail, skirting Island Lake’s shoreline
PLT005
Location: 39.3999252319336, -120.623413085938
NW shore of granite-encircled Island Lake; mighty fine swimming
PLT006
Location: 39.4030570983887, -120.619300842285
Hike under red fir to small waterfall on Island Lake’s outlet. Hidden Lake rests in contours of Fall Creek Mtn.
PLT007
Location: 39.4090576171875, -120.617141723633
Hike along W edge of marshy Crooked Lakes; bear down for ascent along talus path laced by manzanita, huckleberry
PLT008
Location: 39.412841796875, -120.617057800293
Steep section before Penner Lake; see jagged Black Buttes to E
PLT009
Location: 39.4151458740234, -120.617050170898
Crest ridge to view rocky shore of deep, emerald Penner Lake below; drop W off ridge toward Culbertson Lake
PLT010
Location: 39.4177474975586, -120.616523742676
Penner Lake (6,895 ft.); best tent sites are on NE end. Optional: Scramble .4 mi. up ridge W of lake for dramatic views down to Culbertson and Lindsey Lakes ; continue 1.6 mi. N to bag Bowman Peak
Shores of Penner Lake
Location: 39.4189720153809, -120.614456176758
Pines teeter along the tranquil shores of an alpine gem. ©Loren Stout
Shard of Rock
Location: 39.4235992431641, -120.616279602051
From the peak north of Penner Lake, the trail is littered with broken talus. ©Loren Stout
Inundated Meadow
Location: 39.3973731994629, -120.628784179688
During the wet season, this meadow becomes a bog. ©Loren Stout
Island Lake Wide Shot
Location: 39.4001770019531, -120.622940063477
A clear alpine lake perfect for rest stop. ©Loren Stout
Shores of Island Lake
Location: 39.3965187072754, -120.625198364258
A rocky isle within the lake offers the perfect swim spot. ©Loren Stout
Ghosts of the Forest
Location: 39.3989791870117, -120.633918762207
A melancholy fog surrounds this stand of moss-draped conifers along Feely Lake. ©Loren Stout
Misty Timbers
Location: 39.3993339538574, -120.635406494141
A hazy morning over fallen branches along Feely Lake. ©Loren Stout
Nature’s Framing
Location: 39.4112663269043, -120.616989135742
Tall pines outline a serene meadow in Tahoe National Forest. ©Loren Stout
Rocky Path
Location: 39.4046897888184, -120.618896484375
Fallen needles and rocks line the path to Penner Lake. ©Loren Stout
Hillside in Shadow
Location: 39.413875579834, -120.616790771484
Flecks of sunlight peer through monster clouds on the ascent to Penner Lake. ©Loren Stout
Geometry of Nature
Location: 39.3978042602539, -120.63158416748
The growth pattern of this chartreuse moss parallels the ridgline. ©Loren Stout
Across Penner Lake
Location: 39.4184303283691, -120.616676330566
Smooth-as-glass waters reflect the craggy edges of Penner Lake. ©Loren Stout
