Northern Mountains - California - page 672

On the southern shore of the lake, Brandy Creek is ideal for swimming. Just off Hwy
299, on the northern edge of the lake, Oak Bottom Marina ( 530-359-2269; boat rental
2hr/8hr from $50/180) rents boats. On the western side of the lake, the Tower House His-
toric District contains the El Dorado mine ruins and the pioneer Camden House, open for
summer tours. In winter, when the trees are bare, it's an atmospheric, quiet place to ex-
plore.
Oak Bottom Campground ( 800-365-2267; tent/RV sites $20/22) is a privately run
place with RV and tent camping. It's a bit tight, but nicer than most private campgrounds,
with lots of manzanita shade. Most attractive are the walk-in sites right on the shore.
Primitive campsites (summer/winter $10/5) surround the lake. The most accessible of
these is the one at Crystal Creek , which doesn't have water, but has nice views.
Shasta Lake
About 15 minutes north of Redding, Shasta Lake ( www.shastalake.com ), was created in
the 1940s when Shasta Dam flooded towns, railways and 90% of the local Wintu tribal
lands to make the largest reservoir in California. Today it's home to the state's biggest pop-
ulation of nesting bald eagles. Surrounded by hiking trails and campgrounds, the lake gets
packed in summer. The lake is also home to more than 20 different kinds of fish, including
rainbow trout.
The ranger station ( 530-275-1589; 14250 Holiday Rd; 8am-4:30pm daily May-Sep, Mon-
Fri Oct-Apr) offers free maps and information about fishing, boating and hiking. To get here,
take the Mountaingate Wonderland Blvd exit off I-5, about 9 miles north of Redding, and
turn right.
Sights & Activities
The lake is known as the 'houseboat capital of the world,' and is very popular with boaters
of all kinds. Packer's Bay is the best area for leg-stretcher hikes with easy access off the
I-5 (follow the Packer's Bay signs), but the prettiest trail (outside of summer months when
the lack of shade can make it intensely hot) is the 7.5-mile loop of the Clikapudi Trail ,
which is also popular with mountain bikers and horse-back riders. To get there, follow
Bear Mountain Rd several miles till it dead ends.