Northern CA trip with 8 yr old

One suggestion is Emigrant Basin which is generally pretty easy going a far as elevation gain/loss and worked pretty well as an introductory area for me at age 9 and various others my Dad has introduced to backpacking over the decades. One caution though, it tends to be relatively mosquito heavy in June and July, though things are pretty dry this year so mid-July might be fine. If you head out of Crabtree, there seems to be a lake every couple miles or so that allows you to tailor the distance to your newby. And there are multiple opportunities for loops. A distance planning map is at http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/fsm91_057634.gif .

How far do you wish to travel by foot and by auto? Is fishing critical?

I can get 3mi out of her before needing a real break.

Fishing would really make it a huge experience for her (too many stories of daddy catching fish while backpacking) but I can consider options.

There is a lake within 3 miles,probably 2, of the grouse ridge trailhead off of 20 near 80. Fishing has been good. There is also a little used trail camp on french meadows res…short walk and fish if you can get deep enough.

I agree with this recommendation—if you can get your car to the trailhead. High Clearance helps.

Another option might be Winnemucca or Round Top lakes out of Carson Pass…although the fishing is probably better at Grouse Ridge. Milk Lake there is only two miles, downhill, from the trailhead.

The grouse ridge area is great with kids. But I would not go to the grouse ridge trailhead. Go instead to Carr/Feely lakes. dirt road the last couple miles but no clearance issues, you can get in there with any normal car. From there it is about 1 1/2 miles to Island lake, a little up and down but not much and it's a nice spot with kids. Good rocks to swim off of, a few good campsites.

A group of us went out of Carr Lake a few weeks ago, there were definitely clearance issues for a passenger sedan, particularly on the last 100 yards of road; at that point we pulled out into a small parking area on the right and walked from there (we knew it was less than a mile to the trailhead, just didn't know how close till we got there).