Faucherie Lake

Trekking deep into the Tahoe National Forest just east of Bowman Lake, Faucherie Lake Road is a roughly 4-mile, out-and-back spur off Meadow Lake Road that begins near Jackson Creek Campground. While there are no singular major obstacles, the road is consistently rough, with embedded and loose rock ranging from baseball to softball size. Water bars, uneven climbs, occasional creek crossings, and stretches that require careful tire placement make this an often-slow drive, especially for stock vehicles.

The road winds through dense stands of towering conifers, passing mountain lakes and flowing creeks such as Sawmill Lake and Canyon Creek before eventually reaching Faucherie Lake, a striking blue reservoir surrounded by exposed Sierra granite, rocky cliffs, and forested slopes. The area is a popular summer destination for camping, swimming, fishing, paddling, hiking, and other outdoor activities. 

Developed camping is available at Jackson Creek Campground, Canyon Creek Campground, and Faucherie Group Campground, while dispersed camping can be found around Sawmill Lake and along several short spurs off the main road.

High-clearance vehicles are strongly recommended, and trailers should not attempt this road. Four-wheel drive is generally not necessary along the main road during dry conditions, but it can be useful when accessing dispersed campsites where steep, loose, and undulating terrain is common. Although the road is technically open year-round, deep Sierra snow typically makes it inaccessible during winter and can linger well into the summer months.

If you are looking for all of the great campsites in this area, be sure to check out this list: Meadow Lake Camping Opportunities.