Trails near Shaver Lake and Huntington Lake

RT4 · 10-09-2009, 08:26 PM

A group of friends is heading to Huntington Lake... my mild LJ, an XJ w/ a 2" BB and lunchbox locker, and a K5 Blazer.
We're thinking about Swamp Lake trail or Spanish OHV? Any others we should check out? Any pics of trails in the area? We did Bald Mtn last year, and Dusy Ershim is above our heads.
Thanks,
RT4

**RockWoRM** · 10-10-2009, 06:13 PM

If Dusy is above your heads, then Swamp will be too. A built Jeep on 33's and a locker... and it's still tough. I went with a group of guys to Swamp last month, and they would'nt allow anyone with less than 35's. Not that it can't be done in lesser rigs mind you, but it gets tougher every year due to trail change. Spanish is'nt bad, but kinda far from the lake. Try Strawberry, or Red lakes. Much closer and good medium/hard/ difficulty fun trails. There is also Brewer. Very easy, but a purdy short run.

Don't have pics from this year... but here's a couple from other trips to Swamp.

this one spot is fairly difficult, but there are other places on the trail where the boulders are on steroids!

WRM

RT4 · 10-11-2009, 02:58 PM

Thanks for the pics and info about Swamp Lake. My LJ and the XJ are on 31"s, pretty much unlocked (Aussie in the XJ, stock trac-lock in the LJ). So we'll stay away from Swamp Lake. I'll check out Strawberry...

LJameson · 10-11-2009, 05:11 PM

You'll like strawberry. It's challenging enough for a stock rig, but won't be too hard on it. I haven't taken my LJ on it yet, but my CJ7 did it just fine when it was on 28s. My friends TJ also did it no problem stock.

RT4 · 10-13-2009, 10:13 PM

OK, checked a few maps/books.... can't find Strawberry. The only Strawberry I know is up on 108. Where is it?
Thanks,
RT

**RockWoRM** · 10-14-2009, 07:01 AM

Strawberry is on the same trail as Red/Coyote more or less. When you get up to the sandy flats (as they are commonly known), the road/trail splits. Left to Strawberry/Mirror/West lakes, right, or basically straight, for Red/Coyote.

WRM

LJameson · 10-14-2009, 08:50 AM

If your wondering how to get to the trail head from shaver, just keep continuing up the highway. IIRC, it's about 1/2 mile before Sierra Summit.

RT4 · 10-14-2009, 09:03 AM

Gotcha, from the satellie image on google maps, it looks more like an offroad "area" than one specific trail. I'll definitely check it out while we're up there.
RT4

**RockWoRM** · 10-15-2009, 05:50 PM

Actually, I believe it's more than a half mile to Sierra Summit... not too pick nits.

None the less, the easiest way to find it is when you cross Tamarack Creek, a few miles down hill from Tamarack Summit on 168. In less than a quarter mile after the creek, you'll see a sign for Tamarack Lodge on the right. There is a dirt road a couple hundred feet before the turn into the lodge. There should be a sign for the Red/Coyote trail. It's a few miles down this road before the trail heads, and there are a couple splits/turns in the road also... so stay sharp looking for the signs. They can be missed, and then you'll be on a goose chase down some logging road.

btw... satellite images are cool and all, but your best bet is to get a Sierra national forest map! It will show everything and it's way better than getting lost. LOL.

WRM