Loon Lake Kayak
Nestled on the edge of the Desolation Wilderness, Loon Lake is a jewel in the picturesque Crystal Basin. Just over the other side of the Sierra peaks from Lake Tahoe, Loon Lake is surrounded by scented pines and dotted with small, tree-studded islands and our kayaks allow unlimited access to the many islands and scenic shoreline as well as opportunities for trailheads leading to fantastic hikes. No prior paddling experience is necessary. We’ll use ruddered sea kayaks, which have a stable and user friendly design. All paddling equipment is provided.
Loon Lake Kayak Itinerary:
- Day 1
Your trip begins today in Loon Lake, CA. We meet at 8:30 p.m. at our Loon Lake campsite. We’ll have a group orientation, meet the guides and get ready to kayak the next day. Late arrivals can catch up in the morning. Dinner is on your own tonight.
- Day 2
We’ll have breakfast in camp and then begin paddling on Loon Lake. A picnic lunch is provided by the guides, and we’ll have time to hike along the shore and do some exploring. We’ll return to our campground in the late afternoon with more time for hiking the scenic shoreline. The guides will prepare a great dinner in camp tonight. All meals included.
- Day 3
After breakfast we pack up camp and head out to paddle and explore another part of beautiful Loon Lake. We’ll have a picnic lunch on shore and paddle or hike until we’re ready to call it a weekend – usually around 3 p.m. Breakfast and lunch included.
Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control. The final paddling route is left up to the discretion of the guides, and is based upon trip member’s skill and weather conditions.
Contact REI Adventures prior to purchasing your airline tickets to confirm the trip has the minimum number of participants required to operate.
Professional instruction and guiding; all meals from breakfast on Day 2 through lunch on Day 3; 2 nights camping accommodation, single kayaks (unless double specifically requested) including all kayaking equipment.
Transportation from your hometown to group meeting point; park entrance fees where required, insurance of any kind; alcoholic beverages; soft drinks; guide gratuities and items of a personal nature.
Sacramento California or Reno Nevada, both are about 2.5 hours from Loon Lake.
There is no reliable transfer service from any airport to our meeting place. Anticipate renting a car if flying in for this weekend getaway.
This trip is rated Easy Active (2) as we plan to kayak 3-5 hours per day in calm conditions. While conditioning is not stressed as critical to your enjoyment of this trip, even easy paddling will involve the use of several muscle groups in both your lower and upper body, and being reasonably fit is important to your enjoyment of the trip.
Daytime temperatures usually range between 60° - 80° F, with evening temperatures dropping to 50s - 60s. You may encounter cool and rainy conditions, including fog and wind. Rain is a possibility so adequate raingear is important.
This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Weekend Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and detailed pre-trip information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased at the time of your initial reservation, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).
We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.
Loon Lake Kayak
Weather
Daytime temperatures usually range between 60º - 80º F, with evening temperatures dropping to 50s - 60s. You may encounter cool and rainy conditions, including fog and wind. Rain is a possibility so adequate raingear is important.Gear Checklist
- Kayaks (singles are the standard, doubles can be provided with advance notice)
- 2-person tents, double occupancy
- Life jacket and spray skirt
- Cooking gear and eating utensils
- Dry bag: 1 small for personal gear
- Group first-aid kit
- Sleeping bag rated to 30º - 40º F
- Sleeping pad
- Rain jacket with hood, waterproof and breathable
- Rain pants, waterproof and breathable
- Sweater or jacket, wool or fleece
- Thermal underwear top and bottom
- T-shirts (no cotton)
- Long sleeve shirt
- Long pants
- Shorts
- Underwear
- Wool or warm synthetic socks
- Lightweight hiking boots
- Wetsuit booties, water sport sandals, or old tennis shoes
- Paddling gloves
- Bandana
- Swimsuit
- Beach towel
- Wool or fleece hat
- Sun/rain hat
- Sunglasses and retainer strap
- Toiletry kit
- Sun block and lip balm
- Plastic bags—Ziploc for wet clothes
- Water bottle—1 quart is best
- Favorite snacks
- Seat/back cushion for kayaking
- Camera and film
- Extra dry bag for personal gear (small)
- Small binoculars (7x or 8x is best)
Feel free to give us a call at (800) 622-2236 should you have any questions regarding the gear list. The staff at our stores and Direct Sales (800-426-4840) will also be happy to help you with gear questions. Or check out www.rei.com/learn. The Expert Advice section on our "Learn" page has great information to help you prepare for your trip.
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsPros
- Food (4)
- Guides (4)
- Quality equipment provided (4)
- Accommodations (3)
- Activity level (3)
Cons
Best Uses
- Why Did You Choose to Travel with REI Adventures?:
- Destination (3), I liked the itinerary (3)
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 4 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-4
Pros
- Accommodations
- Activity Level
- Exceeded Expectations
- Food
- Group Camaraderie
- Guides
- Once in a Lifetime Experience
- Quality Equipment Provided
- Well Organized Itinerary
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about REI Adventures Loon Lake Kayak:
Loon Lake is a place of many hidden coves and inlets. It is great to swim in and to paddle in because there is very little motor boat and jet ski activity. I saw a lot of wild life, including eagles, osprey, Canada Geese and ducks, none of it the least bit hostel. We were a group that genuinely liked each other and spent a great deal of time talking and laughing with each other. The food was simple but excellent and our guides did their best to make sure we had exactly what we needed including mosquito netting. It was a fun weekend, relaxing and invigorating!!
- Why Did You Choose to Travel with REI Adventures?:
- Active Adventures, All the Details Planned for Me, Commitment to Sustainability, Destination, Good Value, I Liked the Itinerary, Travel with Like-minded Outdoor Enthusiasts
- Why did you choose this trip?:
- It was close to home, a reasonable price and because it involved paddling. I picked the level in hopes I would meet others my own age, 50's, and I did!!
- What was the highlight of your trip?:
- The comraderie between all who attended the adventure including the guides.
- What would be your advice to potential travelers?:
- Make sure you have mosquito net hats from REI!!
Bottom LineYes, I would recommend this to a friend
Images shared by sharonmo1320
Adventure on Loon Lake with REI
Images shared by sharonmo1320
Dan and Maria, our guides and cooks
(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)
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Pros
- Accommodations
- Activity Level
- Food
- Guides
- Quality Equipment Provided
- Well Organized Itinerary
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about REI Adventures Loon Lake Kayak:
Although I didn't get to paddle out for the full moon, the scenery was beautiful and peaceful. The moon didn't rise above the lake till late in the evening (10-10:30) and we were able to see shooting stars after an evening around the campfire.
If I do another REI kayaking trip, I will likely choose one with a more challenging activity level rating as this one was geared for beginners, nonetheless, totally fun!
John, Maria, and Dan were not only great guides and hosts, but also fabulous chefs! We all shared great meals and fun stories. Our group of paddlers were easy to be around and made for an enjoyable experience.
- Why Did You Choose to Travel with REI Adventures?:
- Recommended by a Friend
- Why did you choose this trip?:
- I've always wanted to do a full moon paddle so as luck would have it a friend was already going and invited me to come along, and I'm so glad I went!
- What was the highlight of your trip?:
- Only one? Navigating the narrow passageways to get to a hidden lunch spot, taking invigorating swims, getting inspired by Camp Decadence, sitting next to 19 kayaks watching the sunset.
- What would be your advice to potential travelers?:
- Bring WARM clothing and blankets - it gets super chilly at night...even in August! Definitely bring bug spray, a flashlight, and for sure bring a pad or small air mattress for the tent. The campsite only has vault toilets - be prepared. Oh and if arriving at night, make sure to stop in Auburn or Placerville for dinner or shopping first.
Bottom LineYes, I would recommend this to a friend
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Loon Lake
Images shared by Sarita_
Tunnel entrance
(4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)
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Pros
- Food
- Group Camaraderie
- Guides
- Quality Equipment Provided
Cons
- Activity Level
- Poorly Organized Itinerary
Best Uses
Comments about REI Adventures Loon Lake Kayak:
Our guides, Maria, Dan & John, were great, and our large group (15 guests) came together well. The food was terrific & the location beautiful.
I was disappointed at how time was managed & our expectations set. Our guides worked hard--coffee at 6:15, breakfast at 7:30 or 8. But their estimated start time for kayaking on Sat was 10:30---and while the guests were ready by 10:30, the kayaks weren't; they still needed to be unloaded, fitted, etc. Although we all helped unload & set up the kayaks, we didn't get into the water until noon, then we stopped for lunch, and were back at camp by 2:30. On Sun we started at 11 & some had to get back early in order to deal with traffic, so it felt rushed.
It's not that I was standing around with a stopwatch; but when a trip is organized around an activity, we are sort of stuck together & bound to a schedule; we don't really have liberty to go off on our own, nor do we really want to, since it's a group event. But it just felt like there was rather a lot of waiting-around-time...and the total time in the kayak was 3-4 hours. Less for some than others...by Sunday morning I finally gave up & just asked to take out a kayak when it was obvious we'd be starting late again & they said "sure!", I just wished I'd done it hours earlier.
In fact, much more time was spent on food prep/clean up than on the stated focus of the trip. The food was really excellent, but I would've been happy with simpler fare & more kayaking time, if that's the tradeoff....after all, I can cook & camp on my own...but I don't have a kayak & can't haul one anyway.
Anyway, the overall experience was a pleasant one, and it was worth the drive, which is why I'm rating it as a 3; it just didn't meet my expectations on the stated focus of the trip.
- Why Did You Choose to Travel with REI Adventures?:
- Destination, Good Value, I Liked the Itinerary
- Why did you choose this trip?:
- I love kayaking but can't haul one around; was looking forward to exploring a new lake & shore.
- What was the highlight of your trip?:
- Getting away for a weekend
- What would be your advice to potential travelers?:
- Read up on Loon Lake. It's at 6500 feet so will be cold at night. This is also a VERY big public campground, and during a summer weekend was completely full. And don't plan on getting a lot of actual kayak time in.
Pros
- Accommodations
- Activity Level
- Exceeded Expectations
- Food
- Group Camaraderie
- Guides
- Quality Equipment Provided
- Well Organized Itinerary
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about REI Adventures Loon Lake Kayak:
The guides (Maria & Dan) were very knowledgable and patient. They went with the flow of the campers and didn't rush or push anyone. They were excellent!
- Why Did You Choose to Travel with REI Adventures?:
- All the Details Planned for Me, Destination, I Liked the Itinerary
- Why did you choose this trip?:
- I was looking for a nice weekend away, close to home that included kayaking.
- What was the highlight of your trip?:
- Having the meals prepared, the tents set up, and not having to do any work. It was a beautiful lake and the guides were fabulous.
- What would be your advice to potential travelers?:
- Bring bug spray and a pad for the sleeping bag.
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