ISABELLA LAKE

Coming upon Isabella Lake from the winding roads of the Kern Canyon is a relief to the senses. The lake is like a sparkling blue gem buried in the granite setting of the 7,000-foot-tall peaks of the Southern Sierras that surround it.

Whether your favorite water activity happens to be the wet and wild sport of jet skiing, wind surfing or water skiing, Isabella Lake is ready and waiting for you. Even if you prefer to relax on a catamaran, float on a raft or fish in one of the many coves, Isabella Lake can provide that too.

Isabella Lake has become the playground for Southern Californians for the simple reason that it's close (three hours from Los Angeles), and there is always enough water for your favorite water sport, whatever it may be. Isabella reservoir is the collection point for scores of sparkling mountain springs, streams and creeks that start in the high Sierras north of Mt. Whitney. Isabella Lake was created in 1953 when the U.S. Corps of Engineers completed the dam. When it was finished, the residents of Bakersfield had a flood control reservoir, but the residents and visitors to the Kern River Valley had a watery playground right in their backyard, for skiing, fishing, swimming, sailing and windsurfing.

Fishing helped to build Isabella Lake's reputation, but in the past decade, the lake has become a favorite location for other water sports. Of course, many water worshippers come to Isabella Lake to simply relax on the sandy beaches, soak up the sun's rays or cool off in the shallows.

Watersports

Smooth water near the Auxiliary Dam attracts water skiers, jet skiers and windsurfers. Windsurfers also like Boulder Gulch, and jet skiers like Kissack Cove. Lower parts of the lake have fewer underwater snags than higher parts of the lake. Three marinas at the lake rent a variety of water vehicles and gear. Dean's North Fork Marina rents personal watercrafts, pontoon boats, run-a-bouts, aluminum fishing boats, and one-person and two-person kayaks. French Gulch Marina rents ski boats, jet skis, pleasure boats and fishing boats and has beer, wine, food, gas, bait, boat moorings and boat permits. Mike's Kern Valley Marina has personal water craft and boats for rent; it also has boat moorings, boat permits, a mainmast, food drinks, fuel, tackle and bait. Sit down jet skis are the most popular rentals. Although personal water crafts can be fun, there are some several rules that apply:

You need to have a boat permit if you are on the water in any kind of craft, including all boats, jet skis, canoes and sailboards. Permits are available at the marinas and some area convenience stores as well as through the Lake Patrol. Permits just for Isabella Lake cost $5 for a day or $30 for the year.

All boats must have personal floatation devices for each person on board. If you are water skiing or riding a personal watercraft such as a jet ski, rangers recommend wearing a life vest. Children under age 7 also must wear life vests all the time.

You cannot go faster than 5 mph within 200 feet of the shore, or 100 feet from any swimmer, other than a water skier.

You cannot be in the water in a boat at night.

Though one of the appeals of Isabella Lake is its wind, rangers caution to beware of the wind's changes. Winds have been known to reach speeds of 50 to 60 mph at the lake. As soon as you sense a strong change in the wind, you should come to shore, they said. This is true especially if you are swimming, because of the danger of swells.

Visitors also need to watch for changing water depths. Submerged trees and branches, rocks, islands and fencing can be underwater obstacles. Not seen from the surface, they can create "snags" that endanger anyone in the water. The lake is usually about 95 feet deep in front of the Main Dam and about 40 - 44 feet in front of the Auxiliary Dam, lake officials said. Swimmers may want to stick to the protected coves of Boulder Gulch and French Gulch, rangers said, though swimming near Paradise Cove campground is also popular.

Camping

If you're heading up to the Kern Valley to enjoy any of Isabella Lake's water recreation activities, you may want to camp just yards away from Isabella's waters. Lake Isabella has 12 campgrounds surrounding it perimeter, with facilities ranging from fully developed with showers to roughing it right on the shore of the lake. The lake has eight developed campgrounds offering more than 800 family campsites and six group areas. All developed campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis.

Camping fees range up to $14 a night at full-service camping areas, with a nominal charge for additional vehicles. These campgrounds offer drinking water, picnic tables, restrooms, showers, playgrounds and paved parking. Many have fish cleaning stations. The camping season at the Live Oak, Boulder Gulch, Hungry Gulch, Pioneer Point, Live Oak North, Live Oak South and Tillie Creek campgrounds runs from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. There are four sites for the handicapped at Tillie Creek Campground in Wofford Heights.

If you are looking for a place to hold a group camping excursion, the French Gulch Group camping area has a scenic view of the road, is wooded and private, and has fully developed facilities. The area has a large fire ring, tables and grills, a sheltered area, and restrooms (one with showers). Reservations for the group area must be made by calling 1-800-280-CAMP.

One of the most popular campgrounds at Isabella Lake is also the only one that is free of charge - Auxiliary Dam. Here campers can camp next to the lake in an open camping area that has no designated spaces. Fishermen and water recreationalists prefer Auxiliary campground, since they can not only camp next to the water, but have easy access to launch their boats or jet skis. For more information on any of Isabella Lake's camping areas, call the Forest Service at 760-379-5646.