Lin and me with Three Sisters Peaks and 1st Dinkey lakes in background
I backpacked this area with my friend Frank and his two kids, Allie and Eric, on June 16, 2000. The snow levels had decreased dramatically below 9,000' elevation, though patches still existed throughout the Dinkey Lakes area.
The Dinkey Lakes Wilderness is a 30,000 acre expanse on the west side of the
Sierra Nevada Mountains. It is situated southeast of Huntington Lake, east of
Shaver Lake and
northwest of Courtwright Reservoir. The region contains alpine and sub-alpine meadows as well as stands of
white fir, red fir and Jeffrey Pine. Although the highest point, Three
Sisters Peak, reaches an elevation of 10,619 feet, most of the area is at about
8,000 feet. Firewood is scarce in the lakes region. Access into
Dinkey Lakes Wilderness is via Kaiser Pass Road (North), Red/Coyote Jeep Road
(West), Rock Creek Road (southwest), or Courtwright Reservoir (southeast). The Wilderness is
accessible generally from mid-June to late October. Visitor permits are required for overnight stay.
Backpacking into mountains above the 9,000' elevation level before July 1 is always chancy. It may be possible to hike south from Badger Flat, east of Huntington Lake, to Dinkey Lakes Wilderness as early as June 1.
Dinkey Lakes Wilderness sports a wonderful mix of granite outcroppings, towering trees, (including Sequoias to the south), lofty peaks and many pristine lakes. the alpine meadows fill me with awe. Trees, bent under the weight of winter snows until their tops touch the ground, are an eerie spectacle. The streams empty out of shallow lakes, so their waters are unexpectedly warm compared to other streams filled with snow melt. The deep forests keep away the deep snows found in other areas of the same elevation, thus accessibility as early as mid-June is usually good. I saw no Marmots - surprising. Frank and I saw a soaring Golden Eagle. We all caught Rainbow Trout - the largest ones a mere 10" in length. I'm told that's about as large as they get in the Dinkey Lakes, though a very experienced fisher I met at Island Lake claims he caught a seventeen incher. Thirteen year old Allie built dozens and dozens of stone ducks to mark trails made indistinguishable by the winter snows - thank you, Allie.
On 9/20/02 I returned to Dinkey Lakes with Lin, my friend Jerry L. and my dog, Katie. We had a marvelous time, and totally mosquito-free. The mosquitoes are usually quite a problem from snow melt through August and into early September. We did the traditional "loop." We backpacked on Friday to First Dinkey Lake (3+ miles), where we camped. The next day we day-hiked up to Second Dinkey Lake, Rock Lake and the Cliff Lake overlook atop the pass above Rock Lake; we then dropped back down to Second Dinkey lake before climbing up the gap to beautiful Island Lake. The view of The Three Sisters peaks was spectacular. We returned to camp for a nap and dinner. The full moon made the nights around the campfire especially nice. Our last day, we backpacked to South Lake, then to Swede Lake and finally Mystery Lake, before continuing on to the trailhead and our awaiting Jeep. Katie did double our distance, as she constantly runs ahead and back to us, with many jaunts to the sides exploring everything imaginable. She absolutely loves our wilderness treks, and I love watching her run and sniff to her heart's limit. She loves the freedom off the leash; I keep a keen eye out for other hikers, and call Katie to my side for a "pleasant" greeting. She does like to chase squirrels and the occasional deer, which I am working to stop, but she never gets close and gives up the chase easily.
Lin and me with Three Sisters Peaks and 1st Dinkey lakes in background
Be sure to get your Wilderness Permit at the Pineridge Ranger Station in Prather on the way up Hwy. 168.
Take Hwy. 168 from Clovis/Fresno to Shaver Lake. Upon reaching the village at Shaver Lake, watch for the right turn onto Dinkey Creek Road. Shaver Lake is a good spot for last minute gear or food needs. Take Dinkey Creek Road about nine miles, then go left on Rock Creek Road; go another six miles to intersection with 9S10; turn right and go 4.7 miles to sign for Dinkey Lakes and 9S62; go another 2.2 miles to trailhead and parking lot. The final 2.2 miles are quite rough, especially in Winter and Spring; you may wish to park and start hiking here.
The hiking trails head east and southeast to the lakes (1st Dinkey Lake, 2nd Dinkey Lake, Rainbow Lake, Cliff Lake, Mystery Lake, Eastern Brook Lake, South Lake, Little Lake, Bullfrog Lake, Island Lake, Swede Lake, Rock Lake, etc.). There are many trails in the area. You can wander about and camp anywhere along the way at the many camps.
You "must" hike to Cliff Lake, and then from above it's north bank, cross country hike northeast about half a mile until you are standing above Bullfrog Lake (stone ducks mark the way). The view is astoundingly beautiful. Dogtooth Peak to your immediate right-front; the Kaiser Wilderness Range to the north; Bullfrog Lake at your feet; the Three Sisters Peaks behind you; the Great Western Divide to your right - WOW! This is one of the most beautiful sights you'll find in the area.
You may also bypass Rock Creek Road and continue on Dinkey Creek Road another mile to Dinkey Creek. Several trails leave from this area. The elevation is lower than at Dinkey Lakes. One trail heads north along Rock Creek Road (just east of it), then bears northeast and connects with Swamp Road. Take it north until you hit the trail at Dinkey Lakes. You can also venture over to Courtwright Reservoir. Note the trail that crosses just north of Nelson Mtn. You can reach Swamp Road from there with a short cross country hike from Hatch Lake.
The opportunities are many, and route preparation requirements are minimal due to the many trails in the area. Talk to the Forest Service personnel for any further tips. This a great alternative when the snows make higher elevation backpacking impossible or too risky. You may find that a Quota System is now in effect, so make your reservations early. Contact: Sierra National Forest, Pineridge Ranger Station, PO Box 559, Prather, CA 93651. (559) 855-5360
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