Plumas Lakes Basin Short Loop

Photos Maps Summary: This is a simple little hike in the Lakes Basin of Plumas County, near Graeagle. The trail passes by many lakes and there are many more options of paths than the one described here. The northern end of this basin offers multiple waterfalls (Gray Eagle, Fern, and Hawley) in the spring and early summer to enjoy.Distance: 4.6 miles totalElevation Gain/Loss: 700' totalSeason: mid-June through OctoberFees & Permits: None for dayhikersFinding the Trailhead: 39.6987 N, 120.6671 W (near Elwell Lodge). From the CA-49/Gold Lake Highway intersection, follow Gold Lake Highway for ~8.8 miles (make sure to stop at the Sierra Buttes overlook ~0.6 miles into the drive) and turn left onto Elwell Lodge Road. Follow this road for ~0.9 miles to the end of the road at the trailhead (stay right, except ~500 feet from the Gold Lake Highway, stay straight (south)). The Hike: Starting at the Long Lake trailhead there are two options: (1) to the right (west), Long Lake and (2) to the left (south), Bear and Cub lakes. We took the Long Lake option first and we would complete the loop past the Cub and Bear lakes. Head west from the parking lot and begin climbing up towards Long Lake. Here, you walk through some trees, but the stands are not very thick. After ~0.5 miles there is a trail intersection (to the left) which we took later. About 0.1 miles past this is another trail junction (to the right) which we also took a little later. After ~0.65 miles (from the trailhead) the trail reaches the Long Lake shore near the boat dock. Here, there is a nice view of Mt Elwell to the northwest. Next, follow the trail away from the lake and turn left onto the second junction mentioned above (~350' from the lake shore). Follow this trail to the north for ~0.75 miles to the dam on the northeastern end of Long Lake. You can turnaround here, or continue by reaching a trail junction in another ~350'. Returning to the Long Lake trail (~0.75 miles south of the dam), turn left and then turn right after a further ~0.1 miles. As the trail climbs away from Long Lake toward Silver Lake to the southwest, there is a great view overlooking Long Lake to the north. The junction of the Silver Lake trail is reached ~0.35 miles after turning off of the Long Lake trail. Silver Lake is reached after a further ~0.2 miles. After visiting Silver Lake turned around and head back to the previous junction mentioned (~0.2 miles from Silver Lake) and turn right to head towards Cub, Little Bear, and Big Bear Lakes to complete the loop.