Simply put, the Dinkey Lakes loop is a Sierra masterpiece, especially in July when the wildflowers are at their best. Leave Mystery Lake at 2.0 miles, and cross the outlet creek descending from Swede 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. 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. Please contact Sierra National Forest to get information on this detour. Dinkey Lakes Trail is a heavily trafficked loop trail located near Shaver Lake, California. At the end of the road you will find the Dinkey Lakes Trail head. CHECK OUT Located in the high elevations between Shaver Lake and Courtright Reservoir is the Dinkey Lakes region. Go right with the trail along the lakeshore, and come to an unsigned junction at 3.7 miles. Middle of August, 2017. It comprises 30,000 acres (12,141 ha) within the … The Dinkey Lakes trail is 11.3 miles long. Turn left onto a rough, unpaved road signed for the Dinkey Lakes trailhead. Cross South Lake's outlet creek, and then descend beside it, with views of Dinkey Lake ahead. Go right for Mystery Lake, and recross Dinkey Creek soon after. The Dinkey Lakes Wilderness is a federally designated wilderness area located 45 miles (72 km) northeast of Fresno, in the state of California, USA. Enjoy level walking through lodgepole pines, savoring the abundance of blossom–covered Labrador tea on the forest floor. The Dinkey Lakes Basin is a very mellow place, with various choices of routes and many campsite options as well. The Dinkey Lakes are located in the Dinkey Wilderness in the Sierra National Forest east of Shaver Lake. With the meadow in the foreground, the view out toward 10,612–foot Three Sisters Peak above Dinkey Lake's calm surface is a Sierra scene you'll never forget. Alternatively, hikers can park at the bridge, and walk to the trailhead, adding significant miles to the hike. The trail climbs steeply, slicing up a tree–sprinkled slope in a score of switchbacks. Drink your fill of Dinkey Lake's calm beauty, and then press on to another junction at 4.1 miles. Lots of mosquitoes (common here). Arrive at Swede Lake, gasping, after about 0.3 mile. Hiking Home 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 … We also saw Kaiser Ridge and Mt Ritter and Banner Peak as well as … This area features a popular loop hike … Go left with the trail along the meadowy lakeshore, stealing views out across the water. The Dinkey Lakes Wilderness was protected by Congress in 1984 with the passage of the California Wilderness Act. There is a bridge out on the road leading to the trailhead. SoCal to Fresno to Dinkey Lakes. Mystery Lake, First and Second Dinkey Lakes, Rock Lake. On the way back it began to drizzle, so Bob first got under a large dead … 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. It comprises 30,000 acres (12,141 … 9 friends. “BEWARE SMALL SITES - 28, 29 & 31 - all three are practically right on top of each other and very … Gear Reviews The Dinkey Lakes Loop is a good day hike for vigorous hikers coming up from the Willow Meadow trailhead. Cross the pretty waterway, and climb gently for a time. … 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 … A final 2.2 miles of slow, bouncy driving leads to the trailhead parking area. Easy hike with big rewards! All rights reserved.Click Here to Buy This Book. The trail is primarily used for hiking… It's a steady climb to the shore of midsize Mystery Lake at the 1.6–mile point. You'll want to keep to the left through a cleared–out gathering point for four–wheel–drive vehicles as you near your goal. 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. 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. Find the best Hiking on Yelp: search reviews of 131 Dinkey Creek businesses by price, type, or location. John Muir Wilderness is … 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. 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. See park page for more information: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7191/ According to users, there is a driving route that bypasses this bridge, and takes the hiker to the trailhead. All the hikers I've come across that day were hiking the loop clockwise, going up … Dinkey Lakes Trail [CLOSED] is a 6.7 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Shaver Lake, California that features a lake and is rated as moderate. Granite domes and alpine lakes are the key feature of this mid-Sierra forest. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, fishing, and backpacking and is best used from June until November. There are several lakes in this region with First and Second Dinkey Lake being only two of … Dogs are also able to use this trail. 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. A backpacking trip to Dinkey Lakes Wilderness in the Sierra National Forest in 2020. Dinkey Lakes Wilderness- The 30,000 acre Dinkey Lakes … Best Backpacking Trails in Dinkey Lakes Wilderness | AllTrails Keep left toward Dinkey Lake. The Sierra National Forest has five wilderness areas: Ansel Adams, Dinkey Lakes, John Muir, Kaiser, and Monarch. Dogs are also able to use this trail. 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. 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. The trip started at Cliff Lake Trailhead, and visited most of the Dinkey Lakes over 5 days. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, and fishing. With any luck, the memory of this loop's matchless scenery will keep you humming throughout your pothole–peppered drive back toward civilization. Keep left along the shore, and begin a gradual descent beside Dinkey Creek soon after. Recross Dinkey Creek, and reach a sign for the Dinkey Wilderness at 0.5 mile. If you fancy a quiet place to stay, this is a good choice. Trails in Dinkey Lakes Wilderness - 3 Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. We started hiking up the Dinkey Lakes River Trail and then went … 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, … 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. 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 … 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. #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. As of September 2020, trails in this area are closed due to wildfire. You'll regain your entry route at 5.7 miles as you go right at a signed junction for Willow Meadow. You'll arrive on First Dinkey Lake's meadowy shore shortly after. It lies immediately west of the John Muir Wilderness and consists of timbered rolling … Dogtooth Peak, Coyote Lake, & The There Sisters. This large lake boasts a score of campspots, good fishing, and a handsome granite backdrop to tempt those who wish to linger. 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. If you time your hike for the height of the wildflower season, you'll be treated to Lemmon's paintbrush, bistort, primrose monkeyflower, meadow penstemon, and shooting star—to name just a few of Dinkey Lake's meadow treasure. 10-miles of off-roads to trailhead. Auctions What a lovely spot to catch your breath! A final 1.3 miles leads to the trailhead parking lot. A gradual ascent leads into a full–scale assault of the hillside. 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. ©1991 by Karen and Terry Whitehill. Users have reported that the road to the trailhead can be difficult for 2WD vehicles. You'll regain the creek's company at 0.3 mile. Trailhead: 22-25 miles from Shaver Lake using Dinkey It begins at Dinkey Lakes Trailhead At Willlow Medow and ends at Cliff Lake Trailhead. A mercifully brief uphill melts into a downhill ride to South Lake at the 3.2–mile point. This route involves taking the Tamarack Ridge turn off of 168. Dinkey Lakes Wilderness The Dinkey Lakes Wilderness is a federally designated wilderness area located 45 miles (72 km) northeast of Fresno, in the state of California, USA. Watch for the blooms of mountain pennyroyal, meadow penstemon, sticky cinquefoil, and golden brodiaea as you walk to a junction at 1.3 miles. 4WD with some ground clearance is recommended. Continue gently uphill with the water. The trail also leads to another 4 lakes in that area, but our destination was the First Dinkey Lake. 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. Begin the hike with a short, steep descent to the columbine–decked banks of Dinkey Creek. 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 … Would I be in good enough … Great weather. 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]. 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