Get outdoors this Labor Day weekend

Published online on Wednesday, Sep. 02, 2009

It's Labor Day weekend, which traditionally marks the end of summer.

Before it vanishes in the rearview mirror, here are some suggestions on what to do and where to go over the three-day weekend:

Catch a jumbo trout

Four years ago, the Department of Fish and Game began stocking area rivers with "trophy-sized" rainbows instead of the usual 12-inchers. The result was a fishing frenzy.

Wednesday, another 200 or so trout weighing up to 5 pounds apiece were planted in the San Joaquin River around Lost Lake Park. Get 'em before they're gone.

(Psst: The trophy plants resume Sept. 10.)

Camp in the high country

The only sure way to escape the heat is to head for higher ground and camp among the tall pines.

For high-elevation camping, I recommend Sample Meadow (Kaiser Pass), Trapper Springs (Courtright Reservoir), Cold Spring (Mineral King) or any of the lakeside campgrounds at Huntington Lake. Tuolumne Meadows won't be an option if Highway 120 stays closed because of wildfires.

Go boating

While many lakes in the region are more like puddles this time of year, a few still contain enough water to ensure a pleasant experience. These include Huntington (98% capacity), Bass Lake (74%), Shaver (69%), Wishon (69%) and Millerton (67%).

If you don't own a boat, each of these lakes has a marina with motorboats, rowboats and kayaks available to rent.

Visit a state park

Perhaps I should add "before they all close." Big Basin, Emerald Bay, Henry W. Coe, Natural Bridges, Montaña de Oro and Point Mugu are among the 100 state parks that could soon face closure close because of the state's budget crisis.

A full list is expected to be released next week.

Soak in a hot spring

If there's a better place to relax and unwind than Mono Hot Springs (www.monohotsprings.com), I haven't found it. The only obstacle is the long, winding drive on Kaiser Pass Road.

As an added bonus, Doris Lake -- hands down the best swimming hole in the Central Sierra -- is a 15-minute walk.

Scout for deer

Unless you're a bow hunter, deer season doesn't start until Sept. 19 in zone D-7 (San Joaquin River drainage) and Sept. 26 in zone D-8 (Kings River drainage). But that doesn't mean you can't go out in the bush for a look-see.

After all, successful hunters are the ones who do their homework.

Charter a fishing trip

Each day, fishing boats head out of Morro Bay and Avila Beach and return with boatloads of rockfish. If you're lucky, you may even catch a lingcod.

Three charter services -- Virg's Landing, Patriot Sportfishing and Central Coast Sportfishing -- offer daily boats from about $75 for an 8-hour trip. Tackle costs a little extra.

Hike to a remote lake

The Sierra is dotted with potential destinations for a day hike or overnighter. Some of the most scenic include George Lake (Kaiser Wilderness), Mott Lake (Edison Lake), Cliff Lake (Dinkey Lakes Wilderness), Heather Lake (Lodgepole) and Eagle Lake (Mineral King).

Whatever you decide, it sure beats couch surfing.