Best trails in Dinkey Lakes Wilderness

As of September 2020, trails in this area are closed due to wildfire. See park page for more information: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7191/ 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. Users have reported that the road to the trailhead can be difficult for 2WD vehicles. 4WD with some ground clearance is recommended. There is a bridge out on the road leading to the trailhead. According to users, there is a driving route that bypasses this bridge, and takes the hiker to the trailhead. This route involves taking the Tamarack Ridge turn off of 168. Please contact Sierra National Forest to get information on this detour. Alternatively, hikers can park at the bridge, and walk to the trailhead, adding significant miles to the hike.Show more

Upper Dinkey Creek from Cow Creek quarry parking area. Please note: This hike is at best a rough foot path, at times cross-country. Hiking the creek is over slabs of polished granite. The dirt road down to the quarry, from the main road, is very rough and the brush is close. Show more

Users have reported that the road to the trailhead can be difficult for 2WD vehicles. 4WD with some ground clearance is recommended. There is a bridge out on the road leading to the trailhead. According to users, there is a driving route that bypasses this bridge, and takes the hiker to the trailhead. This route involves taking the Tamarack Ridge turn off of 168. Please contact Sierra National Forest to get information on this detour. Alternatively, hikers can park at the bridge, and walk to the trailhead, adding significant miles to the hike.Show more

As of September 2020, trails in this area are closed due to wildfire. See park page for more information: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7191/Show more