Dinky Wilderness in the Sierras

[fyton2v]

Help a brother out.

I'm trying to find some info on the 4X4 trails near Red Lake in the Dinky Wilderness area. I want to go camping in that area with my UZJ100 and I'm worried that it won't make it through some of the terrain. Does anyone here have knowledge of that area or know of a web site where I can get some more info?

I don't want to get stuck with the family in the middle of nowhere .

Thanks...

 

[FJ40 MNTCRZR]

Forest service station in prather california has maps etc on all those lakes, dinkey lakes is a hike in area, red lake is a pretty tough wheeling run, maybe not good by yourself, couple of areas that need spotters and or winch. also these runs may not be open yet due to snow. i would check with the forest service first.


Good luck ..

 

[jsuthey]

Yes,The forest service is a good place for info.They will send you free info if you call the nearest ranger station.You can also try the book "Guide to Northern California Backroads& 4-Wheel Drive Trails".That book has some of the trails you are looking for.You can also try calling the Sierra Ntl. Forest(559)297-0706.Get some forest service maps also.

 

[FJ40 MNTCRZR]

Went friday the 16th and red lake still closed, hope this helps.
The snow is melting fast so check with the forest service so you don't get up there and can't get in. also over the top of kaiser ridge still some 12ft snow banks, incredible for this time of year.

Good luck !

 

[2mbb]

For maps, check out the OHV route designation & inventory project the National Forests are doing: http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sierra/projects/ohv/maps.shtml

The quarter quad maps are a pain, you end up shuffling a bunch of pages, but it's the one map with all the info: topographic, plus NF roads and NF road numbers. If you can, print them out on 11x17" sheets in color (something to do at the office) or save them to your lap top.

 

[blupaddler]

Your sig says the 100 is stock. Does it also have the rear locker? Sliders?
I went through two summers ago, fun trail. A bit tight in spots, but nothing a 100 series couldn't make it through. Also as others have said, get the Northern CA trails book, I think the author is Wells.


If you can make it, Red Lake is absolutely beautiful. Travel with a partner if you can. Also make sure you get a fire permit from one of the Rangers.

There is also Strawberry Lake in the same area. A tighter trail, but nice none the less.

 

[blupaddler]

Quick pic to whet your appetite...

 

[TACO 4X4]

Checkout out Fresno's 4wd club site:
http://home.comcast.net/~4wdcfresno/

Gives you a good idea what's in the area. Not sure if anything else has been opened since they last updated. Last I heard is patchs at 9k feet and still a lot of snow at 10k and above.

 

[fyton2v]

Little update. My bro-in-law is coming with me in his 4X4 Nissan Pathfinder.... which means we'll need to stick to smooth roads, preferably paved. .

I'm kidding. It has OK ground clearance and my truck doesn't have lockers, sliders, or any other equipment that'll get me through real difficult terrain (especially with the long wheelbase). I do have 285 BFG ATs though. They help a bit.

I'm thinking we might try Strawberry Lake, or one of the other smaller lakes in the area. I haven't called the local forest service yet, but I will in the next couple days. I'll let you guys know if it's open.

If that area proves too difficult I'll probably take our group to Monache Meadows around the South fork of the Kern. That's a fun drive for stock SUVs. I don't want to go to the same place twice though. It's fun exploring new-to-me sections of the Sierras.

 

[fyton2v]

The trail to Red Lake is opening tomorrow, but all the other trails in that area will still be closed.

I'm not sure I want to take on the trail to Red Lake. Would that trail damage my 100?