Bass Lake (California)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Bass Lake | |
|---|---|
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| Location | Sierra Nevada, California |
| Coordinates | |
| Lake type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Willow Creek |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 4.5 mi (7.2 km) |
| Max. depth | 100 ft (30 m) |
Bass Lake is a freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada, located 14 mi (23 km) from the southern entrance to Yosemite National Park.
The lake is a hydro-electric reservoir operated by the Pacific Gas and Electric Company. In addition to electricity generation, its water is used for crop irrigation in the San Joaquin Valley.
Most of the land around the lake is part of the Sierra National Forest. The U.S. Forest Service designated the lake an official Recreation Area and has developed campgrounds and picnic areas on the south shore of the lake. The north shore of the lake is primarily made up of private cabins and homes. It has a year-round population of 607.
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[edit] Tourist activities
Much of the area surrounding Bass Lake is devoted to the tourism industry. The lake is considered a "warm water" lake with water temperatures reaching 80 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer months. Fishing, swimming, water skiing, and use of personal watercraft are popular.
[edit] Hells Angels in Bass Lake
In 1963, Bass Lake became a yearly destination for the Hells Angels Motorcycle Corporation (HAMC), attracting hundreds of bikers from across the state. A first-hand report of the 1965 Bass Lake Run was reported by Hunter S. Thompson in his first book, Hells Angels: The Strange and Terrible Saga.
Most locals viewed the run as an annual menace that brought crime and frightened tourists away. Each year roadblocks, curfews, and campground restrictions were enforced by law enforcement from throughout Madera County and its surrounding areas in an effort to block, or at least control, the Hells Angels activity.
The run peaked in the 1970s before slowly fading away altogether by the late 1980s.
[edit] Bass Lake in film
The 1932 film Carnival Boat (RKO-Pathe) Was filmed on location in the woods east of Bass Lake. The film shows the logging activities of the "Sugar Pine Lumber Company" and its "Minarets and Western" Railroad. The Movie shows the tracks crossing Bass Lake Dam.
The 1945 film Leave Her to Heaven (20th Century Fox) was filmed on location Bass Lake. The film's primary set, the 'Back of the Moon' cabin, was built on government-owned land on the lake's south shore and was removed shortly after filming.
The 1988 film, The Great Outdoors (Universal) starring John Candy and Dan Aykroyd, was also shot on location at Bass Lake. The film's 'Loon's Nest' vacation cabin built on the same site as 'Back of the Moon.' It too was removed after shooting.
The 2007 film Le Chevalier (Rough Cut Productions) a movie said to have been filmed at Bass Lake, starring Michael Barnes, Melinda LaRochelle, and Alex Davis. This film was directed by Wes Jackson and Cyle Moon.[citation needed]
The lake is featured in the 1997 film Mousehunt (Dreamworks), starring Nathan Lane and Lee Evans.
Ducey's Bass Lake Lodge is known for promoting the movies that were filmed in Bass Lake with posters in front of their restaurant.
meatballs 4 with Corey Feldman was filmed at bass lake, with special thanks to the pine resort, and madera county at the end of the credits.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Miller's Landing Resort Cabins~Boats~Grill~Store
- The Pines Resort - with information on the lake's history
- Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad offers train rides on a restored portion of the Madera Sugar Pine Lumber Company Railroad in the nearby community of Fish Camp.
- basslakeca.com - weather, web camera and local tourist information
