Montgomery Reservoir

Perched at 10,873 feet, this reservoir functions as a municipal snowmelt collection site tucked into the mouth of Placer Valley Canyon. The water remains strictly off-limits for recreation, meaning no boating, swimming, or camping is permitted. Instead, activity centers on the perimeter, where the landscape offers shoreline trout fishing and direct access to rugged trails. A brief climb past the reservoir leads to the historic Magnolia Mill ruins, a relic of the region’s former mining industry that once processed mountain ore. The area serves as a primary gateway for hikers, notably marking the start of the Wheeler Lake Trail among the backdrop of 13,000-foot peaks.