FJ Cruisers of Northern California

Dinkey Creek question

I'm going camping at Dinkey Creek this weekend which is outside of Shaver Lake. I did some research and found a trail in the area, 9 miles, approx 4.5 hour trail ride. Is anyone familiar with this trail? If so can I get your input?

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Permalink Reply by Sonof40 on July 18, 2011 at 11:26am

There are many trails in the area. Did you get a name or GPS coords?

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Permalink Reply by NekGuda on July 18, 2011 at 11:29am

Daniel, what is the name of the trail? I live in the area, but there are numerous trails near Shaver and am not sure which trail you want information on.Let me know the name an I can let you know more about the trail. Most of the trails in that area are technical and I would not go alone. But, Bald Mountain I hear is fun and not too rough, I think Brigham just went last month. Also, there is a run planned for Saturday over in the Sequoia Forest if you want to join up with that. If your plans are still flexible check out the Step-Cal BBQ on the event page.

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Permalink Reply by Daniel May on July 18, 2011 at 11:55am

Ok let me re-word this question then. I'm not familiar with the area at all. What is a good moderate trail near dinkey creek?

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Permalink Reply by Sonof40 on July 18, 2011 at 12:17pm

Try Brewer Lake.

Dinky Creek Road 9.1 miles East to Rock Creek Rd. (9S09) turn left, Go North 6 mi., turn right at T, (9S10) Follow broken pavement east to north, stay straight at 9.8 mi, another 10.7 mi passed a right at 9S62 and another 12.6, bear right (uphill on better road) then 12.8 mi to Brewer on right.

See page 201 Northern Guide to Calif Backroads by Charles Wells

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Permalink Reply by Boss73 on July 18, 2011 at 12:20pm

I am not sure but I am heading up to Bald mtn in a couple of weeks .. Blad Mtn is supose to be a pretty good trail but I am not sure of the dificulty as I have never been. Snow pack is heavy right now and I am not sure when your going, but I have heard that there many trails that are not open. Best bet would be to call the forest service and see what is opened. If you trip is not until Aug then I will post up and tell ya what I find..

Boss

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Permalink Reply by Daniel May on July 18, 2011 at 3:59pm

actually it's a last minute trip for this weekend

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Permalink Reply by NekGuda on July 18, 2011 at 4:38pm

Most of the snow is gone now, we were up in Dinky Creek in late June and there were only small patches left. Up at Kaiser pass there still may be some, but it is melting fast, the rivers here are higher than I have ever seen, and most are closed to use. Bald Mountain is a good trail, the kid and his friends have done it in slighty modded tacomas, they said it was not that tough of a trail, but when wet can be slippery.

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Permalink Reply by Brigham Susana Vang on July 19, 2011 at 12:06am

Went up kaiser pass on 9th to mono hot spring, Snow is all gone. Another easy/short trail as your going thru Kaiser Pass is White Bark Vista.

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Permalink Reply by potatomutato on July 18, 2011 at 12:28pm

ping 5AND5TORM.

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Permalink Reply by 5AND5TORM on July 18, 2011 at 7:34pm

Bald Mtn is a fun and scenic trail, I did it stock just after getting the FJ. No problem doing it alone, there will be plenty of other 4x4s on it since it is one of the few mellow trails in the area. Shaver Lake from top of Bald Mtn

Bald Mountain:
Located in the Pineridge Ranger District, this is a great beginner’s route with a excellent view from Bald Mountain Summit. Bald Mountain is a 7,832 summit that is in close proximity to the Dinkey Creek Campgrounds. This popular OHV route is the only route on the district that is open year-round.
The route is accessible from the south by taking Dinkey Creek Road east from Shaver Lake and at approximately 9.5 miles turning left on Rock Creek Road (9S09). Go north on Rd 9S09 for 3.5 miles to start of the route. Staying right at the first two intersections will put you on the more challenging lower loop. Stay left for the most direct and easier route to the top of Bald Mtn.
To access from the north take Hwy 168 above Shaver Lake to the Tamarack Snow-Park, travel along Rd 9S09 for 3 miles to the intersection of Rd. 9S02. Take Rd. 9S02 south and you will come to the north trailhead in less than 10 minutes. This route is known as the "easy way" to the top of Bald Mountain. Stay right at the first intersection after the trailhead. Many high clearance trucks can reach the top going this way. Left will take you to the lower loop.

<a href="http://norcalfjs.com/photo/photo">Find more photos like this on NorCal FJs</a>

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Permalink Reply by Boss73 on July 18, 2011 at 9:50pm

Good write up Mark.. I am taking the 80 up there in soon..

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Permalink Reply by Brigham Susana Vang on July 19, 2011 at 1:04am

5AND5TORM pretty much summed it up on how to get there, conditions during my last visit in late June: we came up the North loop from 9S09, first few section is tight with under brushes to a rocky climb, and than a dozen snow mounds along trail. The trail opens up as u ascended up to Bald with minor - med rock ledges and grouted out road condition. Tougher section of the trail can be bypass with easier route on the side. Snows probably all gone by now.

Our plan was to take 9S02 out, easier route, do some fishing/bbq at Tamarack; eventually things didn’t go as plan. Midway thru the 9S02, road condition was still snowed in w/ a lot of slope. So we turned around, backtracked, came down the South Loop, got bottled neck with a dead FJ55 on the trail, 1hr delay & some rock stacking towards the end, we got out by 6 pm caught up with the family at China Peak @ 7 pm and enjoyed left over food. J

Best bet is to come in on the easier route (9S02) from 168 climb up a mild grade to Bald and if you’re up to the challenge, descend down the South or North Loop.

Maps are available to purchase at the Ranger station in Prather

See my album for some pic of thr trail.