Hike to and from east shore of Loon Lake in the Sierras

SUMMARY
On this out and back hike in the Sierras, El Dorado National Forest, and Cystal Basin Recreation Area, we will hike to and from the east shore of Loon Lake and Pleasant Campground via the Rubicon Trail and Boat In Access Trail for about 7.6 miles with a cumulative elevation gain of about 800 feet while taking in the views of Loon Lake to the north and west.
Loon Lake is a reservoir at 6,400 feet above sea level on western slopes of the Sierra Nevada in El Dorado County and Crystal Basin Recreation Area north of HWY 50 and west of Desolation Wilderness.

MEETING TIMES AND PLACES
For carpooling, meet 7:15am at Iron Point's park & ride lot below the former McDonald's and next to ligth rail station in Folsom. Address is 150 Iron Point Rd, Folsom, CA 95630.
Suggested carpool gas money, the current price of gas per gallon. Free parking at the park & ride.

For those meeting directly at the trailhead, meet 9:15am at Rubicon/Loon Lake trailhead near Loon Lake Campgrounds. Also, read the driving directions below on how to get to the trailhead from Ice House Rd, and one of Google GPS coordinators for locating the trailhead is 38.982319,-120.314574. $8 parking fee at trailhead.

Driving directions: From Iron Point Park & Ride in Folsom;

1. Head south on Folsom BLVD,
2. Take US-50 East ramp toward South Lake Tahoe,
3. Merge onto US-50 E/El Dorado Freeway east for about 43 miles,
4. Turn left onto Ice House RD,
5. Turn right to stay on Ice House RD for about 29 miles.
6. Then look for signs pointing to Loon Lake Campgrounds to the right, and

turn right onto road number 13N17(Red Fir Access) for about 2/5 of a mile.
7. Then turn right onto road NF - 13N17B for about 1/5 of a mile.
8. Then keep to the right and continue on road NF- 13N17BC or Group Loop #2 for about 1/5 of a mile.
9. and finally continue onto road NF-13N17BD or Wilderness Loop and fine parking near the Rubicon(Trail number 16E30) Trailhead in the Loon Lake day use area.

HIKING INFORMATION AND ESSENTIALS
HIKING LEVEL: Intermediate due to distances and high altitude.

DISTANCE: About 7.6 miles.

ELEVATION GAIN: About 800 feet overall or cumulative, which is up (and down) many hills combined.

ROUTE: We will start the hike at the Rubicon Trailhead near Loon Lake Group Campgrounds, then hike the Rubicon Trail (number 16E30) for about 3.5 miles on mostly level terrain with some hills, then turn left onto Boat In
Access Trail (number 16E04) at a trail junction and hike downhill for about 1/3 of a mile to Pleasant Campground and eastshores of Loon Lake to have lunch if not occupy by overnight campers. After lunch, hike uphill for about 1/3 of a mile back to the trail junction, then turn right and hike on trail 16E30 for about 3.5 miles back to the day use area near Loon Lake Campgrounds. Also, we will be sharing the trail with horses and mountain bikers, so be on the alert.
DOGS ALLOWED: Yes

HIKING ESSENTIALS: Bring hiking shoes/boots, lots of water for high altitude, small lunch/snacks, hiking poles if needed, something to sit on during lunch if needed, sun protection gear (sunglasses, hat, etc), insect repellent/bug spray, first aid kit, and extra pair of shoes for after the hike.

REFERENCE: Information about practicing leave no trace principles can be found on the following link; https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/