La Porte Cabin Rental Tours
Little Grass Valley Reservoir
Before the gold rush, Little Grass Valley was a mountain meadow in which the South Fork of the Feather River meandered. During and after the rush, up until the early 1960’s the valley was used as a supply post, Boy Scout camp and grazing land, in the early 1960’s the river was dammed and Little Grass Valley Lake was formed. Today the lake is a true jewel in the Lost Sierra. Its 1600 acres provide camping, boating, diving, fishing, hiking, swimming and picnicking. Wildlife in the area includes deer, bear, beaver, marmot, bald eagle, osprey and geese. Fish include rainbow, brown and brook trout as well as kokanee salmon and even catfish.
Start of our trip is at the corner of church street and china alley. Set or note your odometer reading. Turn right on to Main Street, traveling east through "downtown" La Porte.
.9 On the right note the Howland Flat Road. Save this trip for a more adventurous day.
1.7 On the right note the Quincy Road. This year the gravel road will be completely paved by the federal government and Plumas County. It is 33 miles to Quincy, our county seat.
2.7 LGV recreation area information area and turnout. Stop if you want. Continue straight.
3.3 Entrance to the Peninsula Campground, boat launching and Pancake Beach. Part of the year the Peninsula Campground is closed to provide a nesting area for the bald eagles that live at the lake.
4.1 Private land but a favorite shore fishing spot with the locals.
4.3 Public access trail as well as a fishing spot. Trail goes left and all the way around the lake. Road turns to gravel at 5.1 for a couple of miles. 5.2 fishing spot.
5.9 Stop here and see if you can spot the osprey nest at the top of the forked tree on the right.
7.0 South side of the dam, views of the South Fork.
7.2 North side of the dam and spillway. Popular for fishing.
7.7 Black Rock campground, boat launch and picnic area.
7.8 "Y" in road. Road 57 continues around the lake. Road 94 turns left and eventually you wind up in Feather Falls. Take road 94 for a brief 1.2 mile side trip to frog pond and a spectacular lake overlook on the left. Back down the hill to the junction of 94 and 57 and continue around the lake.
9.6 To Black Rock Creek, Fowler Peak and Pacific Crest Trail access by road.
13.9 South Fork of the Feather River. A road just before the bridge winds back along the river. A nice spot to stop at .4 miles from the road.
14.1 Continue right at the "Y" around the lake on road 57.
14.9 Running Deer Campground
15.3 Red Feather Campground
15.7 Little Beaver Campground. Boat launching as well as swimming with changing pavilions.
16.1 Should find you back at the information sign and turnout. Continue back to La Porte to Rabbit Creek deli for libations and to celebrate completion of the trip.
Note: Little Grass Valley has a trail completely around the lake for hikers. It can be accessed from the campgrounds, the public access area and the South Fork bridge. The south side crosses some public land but the trail and the lake are public right of ways. The south side is for hikers only. The north side allows horses are well as mountain bikes. Please when enjoying the Lost Sierra, respect the land and pack out all litter.