Dusy Ershim Trail is a 30 mile moderately trafficked point-to-point trail located near Lakeshore, California that features a lake and is rated as difficult. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail.
dog friendly
camping
fishing
off road driving
scenic driving
forest
lake
views
wildlife
A very scenic trail that climbs to 10,000 feet at Thompson Lake, then rarely drops below 9,000 feet after that. You'll pass several excellent lakes offering good camping and fishing. Almost the entire trail passes through wilderness, which is just 300 feet on each side of the trail. Stay on designated routes at all times. Do not camp within 100 feet of lakes and streams. Carry a fire permit and fishing license if applicable. No target shooting anywhere along route. Pack out your trash. Trail is for summer use only and is approved for ATVs and dirt bikes. Make sure you have plenty of mosquito repellent in the warm summer months. Located in Sierra National Forest. For current conditions call the High Sierra Ranger District at (559) 855-5355. Over ninety percent of this 30-mile trail is slow-speed rock crawling. The most difficult part of the trail is Thompson Hill (when driven uphill). It starts gradually and gets worse as you climb higher. Also very difficult are the last two miles of the trail, going south to north, as described here. Many other challenges await. The forest service recommends the trail be driven in a short-wheel-base vehicle with at least 32-inch tires and one locker. The fact is, even better equipped vehicles are seriously tested. Be prepared for breakdowns because help is a long way off. Never drive this trail by yourself. The trail can also be driven from the north starting at White Bark Vista.
Just finished it. The only place I used any spotter was a downhill left turn at the very end of the boulder field. I’m in a 4 door JK on 37’s. With thecspotter it was cake. I could have done it with no spotter. The rest of the group was Cherokee’s on 33’S and 35’s and a 4 door JKnon 35’s. It’s a rough relentless trail but very few overly difficult spots. Great camping and the scenery was awesome.
d c.
On 29 July 2018, the gate at the base of Chicken Rock was closed. The ride from the trailhead gate (perhaps a mile drive ENE of the dam) to the base of Chicken Rock was a lot of fun, if only moderately challenging, and Voyager Rock Camping Area was a great place to spend the night, especially if you arrive around sunset.
Most challenging trail I’ve done, with a trailer! Be prepared for this trail and awesome views!
Incredible trail. Very long. Challenging. Scenic beautiful camping spots.
The Dusy is one tough trail.. So do not go alone and be prepared for breakage.
After 2 days of intense wheeling we completed the trail but wished we had more time and could have spent 4 days or so doing it.. 2 days was pretty brutal.
have fun!
Went from South to North in my jeep JK
First 16 miles not too tough.
Very narrow, lots of areas where it was tire to tire between trees. After that it is constant rock crawling
Very tough on vehicles. Broke my sector shaft on steering box, lost part of my exhaust, stripped the lugs on my wheel spacer. Skids took a beating. I have done the Rubicon and Fordyce trail many times. This trail is a lot tougher. But a lot of fun
Bucket list material
awesome trail. most difficult
This is a review for the hiking trail east of Maxson Dome. There is also the beginning of the Dusy-Ershim OHV trail next to the hiking trail. We hiked to the trail junction up to Hobler lake fork. Round trip from the parking lot at courtright reservoir was three and a half hours, approximately 6 miles. Very nice easy hike. You walk a long way on virtually flat ground and even stroll through a small giant sequoia grove. The sequoia's are no greater than 4 feet in diameter but still very impressive. The trail is well marked and easy to follow.
Mindy M.
I only ran the first portion of this trail. Bone stock, but with some rock sliders we got to a point that we couldn't go any further. High ground clearance, big tires, armor, and b*lls of steel are pretty important! What we did of the trail was awesome.