WEBBER LAKE UPDATE

Webber Lake to open to the Public in 2017!

There’s snow on the ground in Truckee and at Webber Lake now, but it’s not too soon to think about summer.

For the first time in a century, Webber Lake will be open for public camping in 2017. Webber Lake, seventeen miles north of Truckee, was acquired by the Land Trust in 2012. Dr. David Gould Webber, a native New Yorker who migrated to Downieville during the Gold Rush, first saw Webber Lake and claimed the property in 1852. In addition to his work as a medical doctor, Dr. Webber built the first Sierra County Courthouse in 1853 and the Webber Lake Hotel in 1860. That structure was one of many stage stops on the historic Henness Pass Road and still stands by the lake. Your experience today visiting this pastoral property has changed very little from Dr. Webber’s day.

William Henry Johnson, a Roseville-based sheep rancher, purchased Lacey Meadows and Webber Lake before 1900 for summer grazing. The Land Trust purchased the property from William Henry’s son Clif and his wife Barbara, who summered with the sheep at Lacey Meadows throughout their long careers as ranchers. Because Webber Lake and Lacey Meadows were so special to the Johnsons, protecting and preserving their property was critical to them, and they were delighted to sell to Truckee Donner Land Trust, despite more lucrative offers, when the time came for them to close down their sheep farming operations. For at least 60 years, the Johnsons leased Webber Lake to a private fishing camp, and at their request, the Land Trust continued to lease the lakeshore to that fishing group for an additional five years, an arrangement that ended in 2016.

When the snow melts, the Land Trust is thrilled to open Webber Lake, with limited camping, while we complete renovations for a large campground and day use areas.

But please, pardon our dust. Extensive improvements will be completed for a grand opening in 2018.  The The Land Trust is busy moving campsites directly off the lakeshore, improving grading and the water system, and upgrading equipment.  Camping for RVs, trailers, tents, large groups, and everything in between will be available.

Look for future updates with information about reservations to camp at this extraordinary place and get ready to enjoy miles of trails hiking and biking at Webber Lake and Lacey Meadows!

*Photo by Sam Okamoto Photography