OT query: Sierra roads in Placer County W of Tahoe?

I'm asking these OT questions here because these are ba. groups I
monitor, and some of the regulars on these may have answers.

Later this summer I'd like to make some day explorations of the Sierra
back country region W of Lake Tahoe but as close to the Lake as
possible, _by road_, using a strictly "on road" vehicle (PT Cruiser or
Honda Element) and operating out of a home base in the vicinity of
Truckee.

From looking at a map, target destinations might include French Meadows,
Hell Hole Reservoir, and maybe Loon Lake. But it also appears that the
only way to get to these areas from the North end is to back-track on
Hwy 80 all the way down to Colfax and come back East from there -- or
else an even longer trip down to the S end of Tahoe, W over Echo Summit
on Hwy 50, and then up past Ice House Reservoir.

So, is there any more direct back-road access to these regions heading S
from places like Norden or Blue Canyon? -- Or is the N fork of the
American River an impenetrable barrier (for ordinary autos, anyway)
along that whole length S of 80?

And are there any other groups whose posters might have info on this?

Thanks.