Plasse's Resort on Silver Lake
By Carmel L. Mooney

Once in a great while, I'm lucky enough to stumble on a real gold mine in my travels----a special place that not everyone knows about, where truly magical memories are made. I recently found such a place and I'm about to share it with you. Plasse's Resort is the ultimate Sierra outdoor travel destination. High in the majestic and peaceful mountains above Silver Lake lies this secret yet historic getaway.

What struck me as pleasantly unusual about this place were several unique features: the place is affordable, the place has lots to do, and the place is safe for visitors of all ages. More than 150 years ago, a young French immigrant settled the area as a trading post of sorts and prepared it as a future home for his young lovely wife. The couple raised five children who continued the legacy and with later generations, kept Plasse's as a special location where families could create wonderful lasting memories and experiences which they still do today.

At an elevation of 7200 along the Kit Carson Immigrant Trail, the views are spectacular with mountain peaks, forests, lakes, streams, meadows, wild flowers and wild life everywhere. This is one of those few places where the quandary may be just what to do because there are so many choices of outdoor activities. The fishing is fantastic along Silver Lake, a short walk from the campsites throughout the resort.

Water sports keep many of the visitors busy swimming, water-skiing, jet skiing, kayaking, and sail boating. Outdoor enthusiasts cherish the secluded hiking and horseback riding trails throughout the resort. In fact, many guests stay many months at a time trailblazing and exploring the vast wilderness throughout.

As you can probably imagine, Plasse's Resort has become quite a traditional destination for many. Return guests are quite common. If history interests anyone in your group, there's sure lots of it to explore with original historical cabins, buildings, and a museum to browse. There's even an old chapel on the property where church services are held on the property overlooking beautiful meadows and the lake.

Just under an hour from the resort, golfing and gambling opportunities await if the other countless activities right at Plasse's don't interest you. At the resort itself there's still a children's playground, arcade, horseshoe pits, basketball and volleyball, and lots of open areas to fly kites, ride horses, or play in the shallow streams like my three year-old did.

All visitors will appreciate the excellent food offered at the Thunder Mountain Restaurant and bar. For lunch they serve up delicious and satisfying specialties like steak sandwiches, salads, hamburgers and all sorts of other mouth-watering goodies. For dinner we had some of the most tender melt-in-your-mouth fillet mignon and delicious yellow tail tuna I've ever tasted. The appetizers are out of this world and most of the desserts are freshly prepared on site. The cheesecake and truffle are to-die-for. The views from the restaurant would be worth it all even if the food weren't so good. But lucky for you, the guest, the fare is just as spectacular as the view.

Plasse's Resort has all the little extras to make your outdoor adventure completely comfortable like: showers, a laundry mat, firewood for sale, and a general store too. The are tent sites, RV sites, group camps, and equestrian camping available. All the staff are friendly and helpful, and the environment is safe and family-friendly throughout. You don't even have to worry about rattlesnakes, fleas, or ticks because of the cool nights and elevation.

Discounted weekly and seasonal rates are available but regular tent camping is $25 per night and horse camping is $35 per night. If Plasse's Resort is the kind of high Sierra destination you're looking for, they can be reached at: 209-258-8814 or you can browse their website at: www.plasses-resort.com To get to Plasse's from Sacramento, take Highway 50 to the Sly Park Exit, and take The Mormon Emigrant Trail Road shortcut to Highway 88. From Highway 88 follow on to Silver Lake heading towards Kirkwood and you will see the sign for Plasse's. Plasse's is a great place to escape the valley heat of summer and enjoy the tranquility of a high Sierra getaway.