Trail Overview
Meadow Lake Road makes a loop from Webber Lake to Jackson Meadows, with Meadow Lake situated in the middle. The section that begins just past Webber Lake is a fairly well-maintained, graded road used by campers and trailers heading to Meadow Lake. This part of the road starts approximately 1.4 miles beyond Webber Lake. It is quite bumpy and generally two trucks wide. As you continue, you'll enjoy great views of Lacey Valley before crossing a bridge over Lacey Creek. From the bridge, the road curves to the right and follows Lacey Creek up Lacey Canyon, also known as "Motorhome Hill," a long and steep section. Once at the top, you'll cross the Pacific Crest Trail just before reaching a cool little meadow. The road then continues for a bit before traversing the side of a mountain, offering stunning views of Fordyce Lake. From there, the road proceeds until you see campgrounds maintained by PG&E, which include several vault toilets. Continuing down Meadow Lake Road toward Jackson Meadows, the road becomes less maintained and more of a single-lane route. This section passes the old cemetery before heading down past many small lakes and ponds. The trail eventually connects with a dirt road behind Jackson Meadows. Please note that Meadow Lake Road is closed to wheeled vehicles in winter when it is groomed for Snow Vehicles. The opening for wheeled vehicles depends on snow conditions each year. Even when it opens, snow patches can last well into July or even June. In typical snow years, the section starting near Webber Lake is usually clear enough for trailers by early to mid-July.
History
Meadow Lake was once the site of "Summit City," a boomtown that reportedly had five lumberyards, 10 hotels, 10 stores, five blacksmith shops, many bars, gambling houses, a brewery, a book and stationery store, a cigar store, a barbershop, a church, 150 houses, and a 10-piece brass band. An excursion vessel ferried revelers to four hurdy-gurdy houses (dance halls) at the lake's upper end. The town only lasted a few years due to many things, including difficulty extracting the gold.
