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Camp Far West (a privately owned lake) located at an elevation of 320 feet in the Sierra Foothills about a 45 minute drive northeast of Sacramento, CA. It has 2,000 surface acres and 29 miles of shoreline. A small lake, it's fed by two rivers and VERY PWC friendly. Almost all of the Region 2 races will be held at this lake in 2002.
Be warned of the rocky area in the north west section of the main body. The water level normally is low in late summer. Facilities include a snack bar, grocery store, marina, boat rentals, campgrounds, game room, gas, propane and disposal station.
Take I-80 east out of Sacramento to the Hwy 65 off ramp. Go north on Hwy 65 through the town of Lincoln. Stop in Lincoln for gas and groceries first, as once you get to Wheatland, supplies and fuel are very overpriced, and pickings are slim.
Head north on Hwy 65 another 12 miles to Wheatland. NOTE: There are several signs on Hwy 65 BEFORE you get to Wheatland indicating turn off's for Camp Far West Lake. DO NOT TAKE THEM. The roads are in very poor condition and very winding - it's faster and easier on your ride/skis to take the route I'm giving.
Once you reach Wheatland, turn right on Main Street (watch out for the local police speed traps) and go through town. Main Street dead ends onto Spenceville Road. Go right on Spenceville Road approx. 8 miles to Camp Far West Rd. Go right on Camp Far West Rd. approx. 2 miles. Just before you cross the dam/suspension bridge, bear right (it's still Camp Far West Road). You'll pop up on the levee and see the lake on your right.
Follow Camp Far West Rd. another 1.5 miles to the North Shore entrance. Go right at the entrance to the mini mart/check in. Stop there and pay fees, which are very reasonable (about $15.00 for ski/vehicle). Both North shore and South shore have mini marts; gas only at South shore, but bring a gas can as it's about 100 yards from shore.
There's a buoy course set up on the North end of the lake, and I'd recommend if camping, you stay on the North end of the lake also. Reservations are available, and highly recommended for those busier summer weekends. There's also a non-reserved camping area on the North end of the lake too.
On weekend early evenings, there are boat drags held in "1/4 Mile Cove"....and our gas powered blenders make the mass of PWC's and wake boarding boats all tied together with the stereo cranked a very popular place during these races.
My favorite thing about evenings at "1/4 Mile Cove" though...blowing past the white trash speed freaks in their pickleforks on our skis - a real ego deflator for them };)~
The lake has great fishing, is absolute glass in the early and late portions of the day, and is warm enough to go sans wetsuit year round.
The water here is usually very smoothe, and always very clean, but on major holiday weekends don't count on any "butter" unless you get up at the crack of dawn or ride just before sunset. It's clean though - and a great place to ride =)
Lisa Price
Folsom, CA
Pix to follow
[ May 28, 2002, 06:46 PM: Message edited by: Lisa ]
Be warned of the rocky area in the north west section of the main body. The water level normally is low in late summer. Facilities include a snack bar, grocery store, marina, boat rentals, campgrounds, game room, gas, propane and disposal station.
Take I-80 east out of Sacramento to the Hwy 65 off ramp. Go north on Hwy 65 through the town of Lincoln. Stop in Lincoln for gas and groceries first, as once you get to Wheatland, supplies and fuel are very overpriced, and pickings are slim.
Head north on Hwy 65 another 12 miles to Wheatland. NOTE: There are several signs on Hwy 65 BEFORE you get to Wheatland indicating turn off's for Camp Far West Lake. DO NOT TAKE THEM. The roads are in very poor condition and very winding - it's faster and easier on your ride/skis to take the route I'm giving.
Once you reach Wheatland, turn right on Main Street (watch out for the local police speed traps) and go through town. Main Street dead ends onto Spenceville Road. Go right on Spenceville Road approx. 8 miles to Camp Far West Rd. Go right on Camp Far West Rd. approx. 2 miles. Just before you cross the dam/suspension bridge, bear right (it's still Camp Far West Road). You'll pop up on the levee and see the lake on your right.
Follow Camp Far West Rd. another 1.5 miles to the North Shore entrance. Go right at the entrance to the mini mart/check in. Stop there and pay fees, which are very reasonable (about $15.00 for ski/vehicle). Both North shore and South shore have mini marts; gas only at South shore, but bring a gas can as it's about 100 yards from shore.
There's a buoy course set up on the North end of the lake, and I'd recommend if camping, you stay on the North end of the lake also. Reservations are available, and highly recommended for those busier summer weekends. There's also a non-reserved camping area on the North end of the lake too.
On weekend early evenings, there are boat drags held in "1/4 Mile Cove"....and our gas powered blenders make the mass of PWC's and wake boarding boats all tied together with the stereo cranked a very popular place during these races.
My favorite thing about evenings at "1/4 Mile Cove" though...blowing past the white trash speed freaks in their pickleforks on our skis - a real ego deflator for them };)~
The lake has great fishing, is absolute glass in the early and late portions of the day, and is warm enough to go sans wetsuit year round.
The water here is usually very smoothe, and always very clean, but on major holiday weekends don't count on any "butter" unless you get up at the crack of dawn or ride just before sunset. It's clean though - and a great place to ride =)
Lisa Price
Folsom, CA
Pix to follow
[ May 28, 2002, 06:46 PM: Message edited by: Lisa ]