A second sign says, "Road not suited for passenger cars," and it's probably right; however, a skillful driver can make it. #2 - Three Sisters Peak Trail to Cliff Lake, Rock Lake, and Island Lake [CLOSED], #3 - Dinkey Lakes Loop via Cliff Lake [CLOSED], #4 - Three Sisters Peak Trail to Cliff Lake, Rock Lake, Second Dinkey Lake, South Lake, Swede Lake, Mystery Lake and First Dinkey Lake [CLOSED], As of September 2020, trails in this area are closed due to wildfire. If you fancy a quiet place to stay, this is a good choice. There is a bridge out on the road leading to the trailhead. Dogtooth Peak, Coyote Lake, & The There Sisters. Granite domes and alpine lakes are the key feature of this mid-Sierra forest. Go right for Mystery Lake, and recross Dinkey Creek soon after. A bit of a mix for a wilderness: good trails, some poor trails, slow ascents, lakes aplenty, fish too, and grand vistas from Dogtooth Peak. Stay on this main, unpaved route 4.7 miles (shunning branches to the left and right), and watch for yet another Dinkey Lakes trailhead sign, marking a spur road to the right. See park page for more information: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7191/ Ansel Adams Wilderness- Named in honor of the pioneering landscape photographer, this wilderness area is known for spectacular alpine scenery, sparkling lakes, and steep, rock-walled gorges. Mystery Lake, First and Second Dinkey Lakes, Rock Lake. Leave Mystery Lake at 2.0 miles, and cross the outlet creek descending from Swede Lake. We also saw Kaiser Ridge and Mt Ritter and Banner Peak as well as … With any luck, the memory of this loop's matchless scenery will keep you humming throughout your pothole–peppered drive back toward civilization. The trailhead for Dinkey Lakes is hard to find and difficult to get to, but this delightful hike would be worth a drive that was twice as aggravating. Go right with the trail along the lakeshore, and come to an unsigned junction at 3.7 miles. I highly recommend this … Best Backpacking Trails in Dinkey Lakes Wilderness | AllTrails Users have reported that the road to the trailhead can be difficult for 2WD vehicles. David hiking along the Trail on the South of Mystery Lake, July 2006 This was a special overnight trip with my fiancé hiking 9 miles over 2 Days. It's a steady climb to the shore of midsize Mystery Lake at the 1.6–mile point. What … Located in the high elevations between Shaver Lake and Courtright Reservoir is the Dinkey Lakes region. All rights reserved.Click Here to Buy This Book. Dinkey Lakes Wilderness- The 30,000 acre Dinkey Lakes … Date: August 2, 2018 Place: Dinkey Lakes Wilderness, Prather, California Coordinates: 37.166173, -119.068209 Length: 9 miles Level: moderate (last 1.5 miles strenuous) Despite the perfect conditions my third night of the Dinkey Lakes … Note the swamp lake road from dinkey creek is closed at the cow creek bridge, about five miles short of the trail head, use the foster ridge road. Begin the hike with a short, steep descent to the columbine–decked banks of Dinkey Creek. Trails in Dinkey Lakes Wilderness - 3 Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. First Solo Ultralight Hike ~ Dinkey Lakes Wilderness ~ August 2010 For my first solo ultralight hike I went back to my usual favorite area in the Dinkey Lakes Wilderness. The Sierra National Forest has five wilderness areas: Ansel Adams, Dinkey Lakes, John Muir, Kaiser, and Monarch. Day One: it began a long drive down to Courtwright Reservoir with stops in Madera for lunch at a Chinese restaurant (forgettable) and Prather to pick up our permit and get the latest Tom Harrison Map of the Dinkey Lakes … Great weather. Explore the most popular backpacking trails in Dinkey Lakes Wilderness with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. 10-miles of off-roads to trailhead. You'll regain the creek's company at 0.3 mile. Arrive at Swede Lake, gasping, after about 0.3 mile. Easy hike with big rewards! CHECK OUT At the end of the road you will find the Dinkey Lakes Trail head. … There are several lakes in this region with First and Second Dinkey Lake being only two of … This large lake boasts a score of campspots, good fishing, and a handsome granite backdrop to tempt those who wish to linger. On the way back it began to drizzle, so Bob first got under a large dead … It begins at Dinkey Lakes Trailhead At Willlow Medow and ends at Cliff Lake Trailhead. A gradual ascent leads into a full–scale assault of the hillside. 9 friends. Recross Dinkey Creek, and reach a sign for the Dinkey Wilderness at 0.5 mile. A final 1.3 miles leads to the trailhead parking lot. Keep left along the shore, and begin a gradual descent beside Dinkey Creek soon after. 4WD with some ground clearance is recommended. A backpacking trip to Dinkey Lakes Wilderness in the Sierra National Forest in 2020. Middle of August, 2017. Pictures of Dinkey Lakes Pictures of the Kaiser Wilderness Pictures of Weaver and Jennie Lakes High Sierra Wildflowers Fish pictures Fall color in September Seasons Trip descriptions Key words: hiking, … The Dinkey Lakes Wilderness is a federally designated wilderness area located 45 miles (72 km) northeast of Fresno, in the state of California, USA. Hoping to sneak in a few days of hiking before the big crowds of Labor Day, we drove south to the Dinkey Lakes Wilderness and found just what we were looking for. Continue gently uphill with the water. It comprises 30,000 acres (12,141 … Expedition News, This climb is excerpted from Best Short Hikes in California's Southern Sierra, by Karen and Terry Whitehill, published by The Mountaineers, Seattle. Dinkey Lakes Loop Dinkey Lakes Wilderness in the Southern Sierra Highlights: Dinkey Lakes Loop is an easy backpack of 7 to 9 miles (round trip) with walls of glaciated granite, and mountain lakes stocked … We could see a lot of things in the Dinkey Lakes Wilderness such as Black Peak, Rock Meadow, Red Mountain, and several of the lakes. The Dinkey Lakes trail is 11.3 miles long. John Muir Wilderness is … The trail climbs steeply, slicing up a tree–sprinkled slope in a score of switchbacks. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, fishing, and backpacking and is best used from June until November. Go left with the trail along the meadowy lakeshore, stealing views out across the water. Turn left onto a rough, unpaved road signed for the Dinkey Lakes trailhead. This area features a popular loop hike … The Dinkey Lakes Wilderness was protected by Congress in 1984 with the passage of the California Wilderness Act. The trail also leads to another 4 lakes in that area, but our destination was the First Dinkey Lake. We hiked down to Fingerbowl Lake, then further down to a ledge where we could see four lakes: Mystery, Swede, South and First Dinkey. Drink your fill of Dinkey Lake's calm beauty, and then press on to another junction at 4.1 miles. Please contact Sierra National Forest to get information on this detour. This route involves taking the Tamarack Ridge turn off of 168. To reach the trailhead, turn off Highway 168 at the south end of Shaver Lake, and drive the paved Dinkey Creek Road 9.1 miles. The Dinkey Lakes Basin is a very mellow place, with various choices of routes and many campsite options as well. The Dinkey Lakes Loop is a good day hike for vigorous hikers coming up from the Willow Meadow trailhead. Would I be in good enough … Would I be turned back by a fire? Dogs are also able to use this trail. Hiking Home You'll regain your entry route at 5.7 miles as you go right at a signed junction for Willow Meadow. A final 2.2 miles of slow, bouncy driving leads to the trailhead parking area. Cross South Lake's outlet creek, and then descend beside it, with views of Dinkey Lake ahead. Simply put, the Dinkey Lakes loop is a Sierra masterpiece, especially in July when the wildflowers are at their best. Keep left toward Dinkey Lake. Find the best Hiking on Yelp: search reviews of 131 Dinkey Creek businesses by price, type, or location. The trip started at Cliff Lake Trailhead, and visited most of the Dinkey Lakes over 5 days. Gear Reviews You'll want to keep to the left through a cleared–out gathering point for four–wheel–drive vehicles as you near your goal. See park page for more information: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7191/, #5 - Dinkey Lakes and Dusy-Ershim OHV Loop [CLOSED], #6 - Cliff Lake, Mystery Lake, Black Peak, and Helms Meadow Loop [CLOSED], #7 - Cliff Lake via Dinkey Lakes Trail [CLOSED], #8 - Zingheim Heights via Dusy-Ershim OHV Route [CLOSED], Three Sisters Peak Trail to Cliff Lake, Rock Lake, and Island Lake [CLOSED], Dinkey Lakes Loop via Cliff Lake [CLOSED], Three Sisters Peak Trail to Cliff Lake, Rock Lake, Second Dinkey Lake, South Lake, Swede Lake, Mystery Lake and First Dinkey Lake [CLOSED], Dinkey Lakes and Dusy-Ershim OHV Loop [CLOSED], Cliff Lake, Mystery Lake, Black Peak, and Helms Meadow Loop [CLOSED], Cliff Lake via Dinkey Lakes Trail [CLOSED], Zingheim Heights via Dusy-Ershim OHV Route [CLOSED]. A mercifully brief uphill melts into a downhill ride to South Lake at the 3.2–mile point. ©1991 by Karen and Terry Whitehill. Cross the pretty waterway, and climb gently for a time. Dinkey Lakes 20-23 August 2020 After a smoky drive to the Cliff Lake Trailhead, I hiked toward Dinkey Lakes, not knowing what to expect. Dinkey Lakes Trail is a heavily trafficked loop trail located near Shaver Lake, California. SoCal to Fresno to Dinkey Lakes. Lots of mosquitoes (common here). Draw in close to the lake as you continue, and savor what must be one of the most beautiful meadow scenes in the entire Sierra Nevada. It lies immediately west of the John Muir Wilderness and consists of timbered rolling … Trailhead: 22-25 miles from Shaver Lake using Dinkey Auctions Dinkey Lakes Wilderness August 25, 2016 After spending yesterday in the nearby Kaiser Wilderness, I have headed back up the radiator-killing hill from the unexciting city of Clovis, for yet another day in an … According to users, there is a driving route that bypasses this bridge, and takes the hiker to the trailhead. Fishing, and begin a gradual descent beside Dinkey Creek, and walk to the.. 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