The Vitals
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Directions
- To get there from Tahoe take Highway 89 south to Picketts Junction,
turn right onto Highway 88. Follow past Kirkwood and on towards Silver
Lake. Just past the Silver Lake West Campground (on your right) you
will see a road on the left heading to Kit Carson lodge. Park on the
corner and head across the street. Head west left until you see
the signs for Pothole access. Accessing the Potholes by going though
the campground is no longer allowed.
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Beautiful
Area
Unique Swimming Hole |
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Short season
Cold on windy days
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Locals Tips
Stop by the Kirkwood Inn for
refreshments and libations afterward.
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The Silver Fork of the American River
begins at Silver Lake and meanders tranquilly along for about a mile
before taking on the more rugged characteristics of a typical Sierra
river. Before it does this, however it reaches a granite plateau where
the waters have formed some unusual pools and hollows that make an
excellent, unique, and beautiful swimming hole on warm summer days. The
area is located just outside the Silver Lake West Campground and can
easily be accessed from there or from Highway 88 as it passes nearby.
The hike is an easy twenty minutes from the road with very little
elevation change. It takes you through the campground so if you have
children they can use the restrooms there as there are none at the
potholes. Another note about children is that I personally wouldn't
take more than one that needed full time attention. There's too many
things to worry about with the deep running water and the tall rocks
and cliff bands. If you've got kids that swim, however, they will love
it. Make sure you're there on a warm day and also watch the winds,
which can be strong since the swimming hole is on an elevated plateau
of sorts. And if you've got tevas, or water shoes, this is the place
for them.
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