Eagle Lake, Merrill Campground, CA August 21-28, 2019

[JudyJB]

I am making plans to be in Eagle Lake, CA, where some of us got together a couple of years ago, and would welcome any others to join me Reservations on Recreation.gov are not open yet for this place, so there are lots of spaces available! Here is a summary of this place:

- It is a quiet and isolated place along a large lake. Lots of really gorgeous, big trees and scenic hills. During the drought, the shore filled in with weeds, so it was not very swimmable, but the newest Google maps show that the beach is once again a beach, and there are even people with umbrellas along the beach! Reviews suggest some mud along shore, however.
- The campground has full hookup sites, water and electric sites, and no hookup sites. The no hookup sites are closest to the beach.
- Cost is $20 - $35 per night, but it is a federal campground, so I paid only $25 last year for a full hookup site. This year I am going to get a partial hookup site for maybe $20 with my senior discount.
- There are restrooms with running water and flush toilets, but no showers.
- The road to the nearest town, Susanville, is very curvy and 20 miles long, but there are grocery stores and other facilities in that town.
- There is some Verizon voice and data service, but don't know about other providers.
- Very nice, paved bike trail that goes several miles in each direction. I rode it to the small store at the marina, and tried to ride it the other direction, but got worried because it was so isolated and worried that if i fell off my bike, so one would ever know where to look for me, so went back!
- Not a lot of places to visit nearby, but a very quiet place with good campsites in a pretty place.

Others can add their opinions.

[MandysMom]

I will put it on a maybe list. I'm still waiting to hear as MN sons law enforciement academy comes to a close whether he will go right to a job or have a break. Likely time for break would be in August, so I'd be going back to spend time. If I'm not going east I'd love to come join you at Eagle.
Velda

[Cudedog]

Would love to meet you there, Velda.

Mid to late August at Eagle Lake can be very hot. Temps can be upper 90's/low 100's. Many of the sites are shaded, probably most of them are.

It is pretty, lots of tall trees, and the lake is nice. Lots of volcanic features almost everywhere one looks (ahem) for those who might care about such things.

Eagle Lake Volcanic Field:
https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/eagle_lake_field/

The road to Susanville is not bad at all.

It is also not too far from Lassen Peak (Lassen Volcanic National Park) which, if one has never been there, is definitely worth a visit. Lassen Peak is a plug dome volcano that last erupted in around 1915, and is expected to erupt again. One day. Lassen has quite a lot of thermal features - second only to Yellowstone.
https://www.nps.gov/lavo/index.htm

An hour or two north is the Medicine Lake volcano, by many estimates the largest volcano in the Cascade chain (Mt. St. Helen's is probably the most famous Cascade volcano). The "footprint" of the Medicine Lake Volcano covers about 850 (eight-hundred-fifty) square miles, and includes Lava Beds National Monument within it's confines. The Medicine Lake volcano is also expected to erupt again. It has been active for about 500,000 years.
https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/medicine_lake/

Let me know when you make your reservation, Judy. I'll think about making a reservation too, with the caveat that if when the time comes close weather forecasts indicate it will be very hot weather, I will likely cancel.

I just don't do heat.

One of my hobbies over the years has been giving volcano talks to school children. If I am there, and if anyone is interested, I would be happy to give a volcano talk, or just generally talk about volcanoes. I'm not an expert by any means, just a committed hobbyist.

Thanks.

Anne

[JudyJB]

Anne, you now have AC and a shower in your trailer! And this is the same time we were there two years ago and it was not very hot. Altitude there is 5,100 feet, which makes a difference in temps. And you can give us all, or at least me if no one else comes, a volcano talk.

I'll be up early on the 21st making my reservation. I am going to try for site 135, which is the one Lyn was in last year because I am pretty sure I can get satellite there for my TV.

[Cudedog]

Anne, you now have AC and a shower in your trailer! And this is the same time we were there two years ago and it was not very hot. Altitude there is 5,100 feet, which makes a difference in temps. And you can give us all, or at least me if no one else comes, a volcano talk.

I'll be up early on the 21st making my reservation. I am going to try for site 135, which is the one Lyn was in last year because I am pretty sure I can get satellite there for my TV.

Hi Judy. Have you made your reservation at Merrill yet? If yet, what is your site number (if you didn't get 135).

Thanks.

Anne

[JudyJB]

I have Site 136, which is water and electric only, from August 19, checking out on August 30. Cost with registration fee was $20.73 per night. I should be able to get good satellite from this site because it is open. And Verizon data was usable. I am looking forward to riding as far as I can on the bike trail this time.

[OregonLuvr]

I wont be able to make it this year as I have reservations at the coast in Florence this year. I want to be COOL LOL

[MandysMom]

I'll keep a reminder going for myself, but it still depends on soon to be Officer Nick, as to whether he will be not working yet, and want a visit or in a new job saying maybe next year. Judy do you have any idea when reservations open?
Velda