Salyer Hole

01.05.10 - 12:13 pm | Gary Hanauer |

(0)

Rating: C

If you're going east from the coast, after Blue Lake check for the Salyer Roadside Rest Area, east of Maple Creek beach. A clothing-optional swimming hole used by locals and visitors is across the street from the rest stop.

Legal status:

Unknown.

How to find it:

First, go to Maple Creek. Take Highway 101 north through Arcata. Two miles past Arcata go east on Highway 299 to the little town of Blue Lake. Access to Maple Creek, which consists of a few buildings, is via a small road that starts in town. "It's a little ways inland from Blue Lake," reader Douglas Beck says. The same drive can also be made from Kneeland, which can be reached from Arcata. From Highway 101, head up Fickle Hill Road to the Maple Creek exit. Take the exit to where you see cars pulled off, then park and walk upstream past a clothed beach to the nude swimming hole.The "nude beach is just east of the entrance to the Salyer Roadside Rest Area," says reader Donald. It's located about 100 yards east of the rest spot on the opposite side of the road. "At that point," suggests Donald, "you should turn down the gravel road to the parking area. A rocky, somewhat steep, but good trail will bring you down to the river."

The beach:

A riverbank beach of sand mixed with rocks.

The crowd:

You may see a few visitors. Or you may be the only person present.

Problems:

Gravel access road; rocky river bottom; unknown legal status; better directions needed.