Lake Pillsbury. . .Tell me more

(screaminsacs) · (screaminsacs) **Join Date: Sep 2004** 06-01-2006, 12:42 AM

I've seen photos of this lake and it looks beautiful. I've heard a couple people mention this lake too so we're interested in checking it out. Just wondering if anybody has any additional info like for instance;
water/air temps, best time of year to go, campground suggestions? We are a family of 2 adults and 4 kids. I imagine it is a few hours away from Sacramento. We don't mind the drive, it's fun to check out new spots and get away from the hustle and bustle. Seems like a nice secluded lake. What can you tell me?
Thanks- Sabrina

walt 06-01-2006, 4:14 AM

Hi Sabrina,

I'm heading up to Pillsbury today.

I'll shoot You My number and I'll give you the low down on the lake.

One thing You should know right off though is that you have to travel down a 13 mile long dirt road to get there. It's very dusty and bumpy and plenty of cliffs. This keeps most people away.

walt 06-01-2006, 4:16 AM

walt 06-01-2006, 4:17 AM

walt 06-01-2006, 4:18 AM

walt 06-01-2006, 4:20 AM

walt 06-01-2006, 4:21 AM

walt 06-01-2006, 4:24 AM

(lukeduke95) · (lukeduke95) **Join Date: May 2002** 06-01-2006, 8:34 AM

I will be up there the 14th through the 18th.

From Walts pics, it looks all Montana-ish!!

Now to rig up the worlds biggest rock protector for the boat!!!

(midwesty) · (midwesty) **Join Date: Aug 2003** 06-01-2006, 8:48 AM

i still have yet to figure out the whole dock out in the middle of the lake but sick pics!

(_jason_) · (_jason_) **Join Date: Jun 2005** 06-01-2006, 9:11 AM

Walt! Your the man, Ive seen the pics before but all together there amazing. Im going to be heading up there a bunch during summer, we will have to hook up for lunch or something a couple of times.

(erik_c) · (erik_c) **Join Date: Jan 2005** 06-01-2006, 9:16 AM

Is that a dirt air strip?

walt 06-01-2006, 9:56 AM

Luke,

Put a large tarp with lots of bungee cords over Your boat cover for the road.

Jonny,
We let the docks out in the off season because the water fluctuates so much.

Jason,
See you there.

Eric,
Yes the air strip is dirt but it's in really good shape.

mazakman 06-01-2006, 9:58 AM

I'll been there 3 times. Once in a Cessna 210 with my friend dad. So that's a yes on the landing strip. They also use the end of the strip as a rifle range. I have also been there in my CJ 7 jeep. It's a lot of dirt roads with some hairy cliffs on the side. the second night there a bear came along and got into my food so I had to drive back out and restock. It's a National Forest campground so it just has pit toilets. Also it's a small lake

walt 06-01-2006, 10:12 AM

Yes there are black bears there so you have to put some thought into how you store your food.
I put My coolers in a shed and spray pinesol around it at night to mask the food odor.
Bears know what a cooler looks like so if it's out in plain site you might have a problem.
I'd suggest putting it in a tent (one that your not in) out of site then use pinesol.

The resort has flush toilets but the other camp sites are the pit type.

The road is nothing to play around with but safe if you don't drive like a idiot. Last weekend I had to call 911 for a truck that went down a cliff. As of now I'm not sure of the out come because I'm getting conflicting info about it but I'll hear more today. Two teen age girls died at the same spot last year. Respect the road !

It is a small lake but it only gets a little crowded on holiday weekends. If you go during the week there's a good chance you will own the lake.

(barefootbob) · (barefootbob) **Join Date: Dec 2005** 06-01-2006, 10:42 AM

Gotta love the bears,I had one bite into the corner of one my packed full coolers, pick it up and walk away at Pillsbury and it was'nt a small cooler.The wife and I wher amazed how strong they are.The next morning we wher cleaning up the mess and found a dog food can just ripped open.I havent had any problems on the boat camp side for 6/7 years now.
I think the bears find the westshore campers easy prey.

That untill they started getting bear tags

(lukeduke95) · (lukeduke95) **Join Date: May 2002** 06-01-2006, 6:13 PM

Thanks Walt,

I have heard to just take it slow on the road, and cover up. I will pick up some extra bungees for everything!

How long is the dirt road section?

(screaminsacs) · (screaminsacs) **Join Date: Sep 2004** 06-01-2006, 6:34 PM

Thank you for those photos Walt, got your email too. I ran a google search to see what the campgrounds sites are like, didn't find any boat-in camping, just sites at the Marina and they are very pricey!

(barefootbob) · (barefootbob) **Join Date: Dec 2005** 06-02-2006, 9:08 AM

Their are camp sites other then the resort.Oak flats is the only crazy one I would avoid with my family.Fuller grove is nice,right next to the the public boat ramp.The other sites are state or PG&E operated.Plenty of boat camping to be had,thats always my favorite.1 of the boat camps is right at the mouth of the cove where they set up the ski course and its pritty nice.Gets blown in the afternoon, bring a good ancer.Fuller grove and Pogie point get good shade in the afternoon and are protected from the afternoon wind.Fun for the kids and not to expensive,I guess,I always boat camp.

(wcr) · (wcr) **Join Date: Sep 2004** 06-04-2006, 11:46 AM

Lake Pillsbury is closed !!!!!
stay away .............

walt 06-04-2006, 7:46 PM

Hers a shot from the dirt road.

Upload

walt 06-04-2006, 7:49 PM

Butter shot from this weekend.

Upload

wake_my_monkey 06-07-2006, 10:44 PM

Locals only!!!! Come on Walt, show the readers the wind chop pictures.

(dakid) · (dakid) **Join Date: Feb 2001** 06-07-2006, 10:51 PM

when are you takin' me out, walt? while you're at it, tell shawn he owes me a pull!

(clubmyke) · (clubmyke) **Join Date: Aug 2004** 06-07-2006, 11:13 PM

wow... awesome pics !!!

walt 06-08-2006, 4:01 AM

Eric,

Here's one for You.

walt 06-08-2006, 4:02 AM

Joe,
Check your E-mail.

Thanks Mike !

walt 06-08-2006, 4:04 AM

Here's a few from last weekend.

Upload

walt 06-08-2006, 4:19 AM

walt 06-08-2006, 4:21 AM

walt 06-08-2006, 4:35 AM

wake_my_monkey 06-08-2006, 8:30 AM

Walt, will u be up there this weekend. I'm towing the boat and Chad is coming up from Lake McClure

walt 06-08-2006, 8:40 AM

Eric,

I think so. Is this Chad's B-Day weekend ?

(lukeduke95) · (lukeduke95) **Join Date: May 2002** 06-08-2006, 12:30 PM

I'll see anyone who is there next Wednesday through Sunday.

walt 06-08-2006, 12:40 PM

Luke,

See You there !

(_jason_) · (_jason_) **Join Date: Jun 2005** 06-08-2006, 1:15 PM

Dope shots Walt. Hopefully we can hook up soon and ride once again :-)

(shawnmdarnell) · (shawnmdarnell) **Join Date: Feb 2003** 06-08-2006, 9:22 PM

walt, is there any cell phone reception up there?

(screaminsacs) · (screaminsacs) **Join Date: Sep 2004** 06-08-2006, 10:23 PM

If I wasn't going to Tulloch this weekend, I think we would have headed up there.

mendo247 06-08-2006, 10:41 PM

shawn... no service

wake_my_monkey 06-08-2006, 10:41 PM

No the b-party weekwnd will be july 9. I think

(shawnmdarnell) · (shawnmdarnell) **Join Date: Feb 2003** 06-09-2006, 6:32 AM

thanks Richard... anyone going up there for the 4th?

walt 06-09-2006, 6:43 AM

Shawn,
You know I'll be there.

There is a pay phone at the resort.

(shawnmdarnell) · (shawnmdarnell) **Join Date: Feb 2003** 06-09-2006, 7:02 AM

Thanks Walt, I knew you would be there. I also knew about the pay phone but Tara is going to be about 6 weeks out from delivery and in case of an emergency, I was hoping she could call my cell phone.

walt 06-09-2006, 7:06 AM

For 55 bucks you can get the Calstar helicopter insurance. I believe they can be there in twelve minutes from the time they have been called.
55 bucks covers Your whole family.

mendo247 06-09-2006, 7:10 AM

Yo shawn - ill be there on the fourth!!

walt 06-09-2006, 7:10 AM

Shawn,

I got a few shots of Casey yesterday but the lighting sucked. http://www.wakepics.com/member/Westcoastwalt

walt 06-09-2006, 7:12 AM

Richard,

We'll have to get Shawn to hook you up with the famous BOMB He makes.

mendo247 06-09-2006, 7:49 AM

Sounds good.. well have to link all our systems together and have a party!!!

BTW- Congrats

(Message edited by Mendo247 on June 09, 2006)

(brick) · (brick) **Join Date: Nov 2003** 06-09-2006, 7:57 AM

Walt, the new ride looks good!

walt 06-09-2006, 10:48 AM

Thanks Tim.

(shawnmdarnell) · (shawnmdarnell) **Join Date: Feb 2003** 06-09-2006, 5:49 PM

Bombs away!!! Split Rock should be good this year, we got 15 boats or so going, plus what ever West Shore people tie up.

mendo247 06-09-2006, 6:35 PM

Sweet- sounds like a party

(wcr) · (wcr) **Join Date: Sep 2004** 06-10-2006, 5:13 PM

I will be making the trip from Maui,Hi
Walt, nice pics of my brother and Mike....
locals only stay away!!!!

(lukeduke95) · (lukeduke95) **Join Date: May 2002** 06-10-2006, 8:09 PM

Im covered for the road in,

(notice my lovely ladies that I put to work)
Upload

(dakid) · (dakid) **Join Date: Feb 2001** 06-10-2006, 11:41 PM

what's the water temp that a neo top is needed?

mendo247 06-11-2006, 12:43 PM

i believe the water temp was mid to low 50's... the neo tops helped out for those 7am runs.. the weekend before the mountain in the background was covered in snow when we woke up..

walt 06-11-2006, 3:36 PM

Pillsbury was Epic this weekend ! Butter for days, No boats to speak of and I got to photograph and ride with Chad lowe and Jared Couch.

walt 06-11-2006, 4:16 PM

Saturday night butter.

Upload

walt 06-11-2006, 5:52 PM

Joe,

I don't know what the temp is now but it's starting to come up fast. However I'll keep wearing My guru though because I find that it helps stabilize the fat.

(john_v96) · (john_v96) **Join Date: Apr 2003** 06-11-2006, 6:21 PM

walt
did you get a water proff housing

walt 06-11-2006, 6:23 PM

Johnny,
I have one for My wife's point and shoot Canon.
Some day I'll buy one for the 20D.

(dakid) · (dakid) **Join Date: Feb 2001** 06-11-2006, 7:18 PM

quote:
However I'll keep wearing My guru though because I find that it helps stabilize the fat.

bahahahahahahaha! that's the funniest thing i've read in a long time!

(lukeduke95) · (lukeduke95) **Join Date: May 2002** 06-12-2006, 6:11 PM

hey Walt, whats the water temp up there right now?

Cant wait for Wednesday!!! (I am taking a 1/2 day Tuesday cause I can't wait!!)

walt 06-12-2006, 6:25 PM

Luke,

I'm not sure but it's warm enough that You won't need a wet suit.

http://www.wakepics.com/member/Westcoastwalt

walt 06-12-2006, 6:25 PM

http://www.weather.com/weather/weekend/USCA0899?locid=USCA0899

chriscut 06-12-2006, 7:28 PM

Walt, which water enclosure do you use? btw, nice shots!

walt 06-12-2006, 7:58 PM

Chriscut,

I believe it's made By Canon for the Canon A-95.

(lukeduke95) · (lukeduke95) **Join Date: May 2002** 06-12-2006, 8:57 PM

Thanks Walt, I had ben scoping the temps for Potter Valley, and it looks primo!!

Just wondering cause Richard got me a little scared with his comment-

By richard estevo (mendo247) on Sunday, June 11, 2006 - 12:43 pm:
i believe the water temp was mid to low 50's... the neo tops helped out for those 7am runs.. the weekend before the mountain in the background was covered in snow when we woke up..

Wasn't sure what weekend he was referring to and wether the neo tops were still being used.

walt 06-13-2006, 4:43 AM

Luke,
Richard was right about it being really cold a few weeks back but it's a small lake and it warms up really fast.