Independence Lake is one of the most pristine alpine lakes west of the Rockies. The lake and surrounding alpine forests offer exceptional recreation, including hiking, fishing, kayaking and bird watching in the beautiful Sierra Nevada.

Sierra Buttes Lookout Trail is a 4.8 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail that features beautiful wild flowers.

The Tahoe National Forest is located northeast of Sacramento in the central Sierra Nevada mountains and extends from near Lake Tahoe to north of the prominent Sierra Buttes.