Bureau of Land Management BLM Winter Bucket List -2- Eagle Lake ACEC, California, for Winter Solitude and Eagle Sightings (15460259964)

BLM Winter Bucket List #2: Eagle Lake ACEC, California, for Winter Solitude and Eagle Sightings
Eagle Lake Area of Critical Environmental Concern is 5100 feet above sea level in north eastern California. It is the second largest natural freshwater lake wholly in California. Having no natural surface outlet, Eagle Lake is a closed basin lake with fluctuating water levels due to variations of inflow.
The Lake and its immediate drainage are located in a high semi-arid plateau characterized by basaltic lava flows, volcanoes, and cinder cones. Some of the lava flows are fairly recent, having occurred not more than a few centuries ago. The higher western portion of the drainage basin consists mainly of volcanic mountains that form the east flank of the Cascade Range.
Eagle Lake is well known for its fish and wildlife. Located around its shores are one of the last colonies of nesting osprey and the largest nesting colony of western and eared grebes in the western United States. It is the home of the Eagle Lake Trout which are native only to Eagle Lake.
Bob Wick, BLM employee who snapped these amazing photos, told us:
Eagle Lake a very busy place in summer, especially with anglers who ply the lake for its famous Eagle Lake Cutthroat Trout. It’s very quiet in winter. Depending on snow conditions, visitors can either hike or cross-country ski along the shore (no developed trails). Its also a great place for viewing wintering bald eagles, but visitors will need to be along the shoreline at daybreak to see the eagles fly off.

Learn more about the area and plan a visit: www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/eaglelake/eaglelake.html