Tre’son Ranch

About forestry service, 93669, Wishon, CA, US, California

Bass Lake is a census-designated place (CDP) in Madera County, California, United States. Located within the Sierra National Forest, it lies approximately 14 miles (23 km) south of the entrance to Yosemite National Park. The community is centered around Bass Lake, a reservoir formed in 1910 by the construction of Crane Valley Dam on Willow Creek, a tributary of the San Joaquin River. As of the 2020 United States census, Bass Lake had a population of 575. The area is a popular destination for outdoor activities including boating, fishing, hiking, and mountain biking. The region was originally inhabited by the Mono and later developed for logging and hydroelectric power. In the 20th century, it transitioned into a recreational and seasonal residential community. Bass Lake has also appeared in several films and was known for hosting annual Hells Angels gatherings during the 1960s and 1970s. Today, it stands as an example of early multi-use land planning shaped by infrastructure, resource use, and tourism. In recent decades, environmental pressures—including bark beetle infestations, drought, and wildfire—have significantly impacted the surrounding ponderosa pine forests.