LAKE
From this junction (9640´), the 0.8-mile side trail to Little Lake turns right (northeast) and descends along rocky switchbacks just northwest of the outflow that links Rock Lake and Little Lake. The descent quickly drops 300 feet through dense lodgepole pine before arcing northeast onto the grassy, mosquito-rich banks of shallow Little Lake. Little Lake is backdropped by the towering, serrated ridgeline of Dogtooth Peak. Come dusk and dawn, small rainbow and brook trout aggressively feed on the myriad of insects.
Several rocky, sun-drenched islands are surrounded by the blue waters of Island Lake.
The trail arcs along the northeastern shore of Second Dinkey Lake.
This trip’s route follows the left fork west, gently climbing 0.2 mile before dropping into the Dinkey Lakes basin and shortly reaching a Y-junction (9590´) with a trail left (south) to Island Lake. Take this path; en route to Island Lake, the path skirts Second Dinkey Lake’s west shore and then ascends a brief but steep 200 feet. The climb offers views of the wilderness’s highest peaks, the three towering granite monoliths of the Three Sisters: 10,436 feet, 10,438 feet, and 10,612 feet.
After the climb, the trail descends moderately and southwest to Island Lake (9815´; 11S 323436 4108468), the crown jewel of Dinkey Lakes Wilderness. As a result, several campsites rim its shores. True to the lake’s name, there are several rocky, sun-drenched islands; they support mature lodgepole and are a popular destination for swimmers braving the frigid water. Fishing is fair for rainbow and brook trout.
BEYOND ISLAND LAKE
The terrain surrounding Island Lake, bare granite slabs and broad open forests, is excellent for cross-country exploring. Fingerbowl Lake (9680´), nestled west of Island Lake, can be reached easily by following the granite wall northwest to a south-trending ridge. From the ridge, westward views reveal a half-dozen lakes within a relatively small area. Fingerbowl Lake (less than a quarter mile away) is a small, deep, round lake fringed on one side by a marshy outlet and on the other by snow-covered scree. The Three Sisters are visible beyond the lake’s eastern shore.
DAY 2 (Island Lake to South Lake, 5 miles): From Island Lake, return to the Y-junction at Second Dinkey Lake (9580´). Turn left and head north, closely following the western banks of Dinkey Creek as it quietly cascades from Second Dinkey Lake to First Dinkey Lake. After a moderate, 0.6-mile descent, the track reaches a junction (9280´), at which this trip’s loop section begins.
While the loop can be taken in either direction, this trip takes hikers to the lakes in order of the lakes’ increasing scenic beauty. So continue straight ahead (west-northwest) to the broad, marshy, east end of First Dinkey Lake (9239´), bound by bogs and meadows that host a vigorous population of mosquitoes well into summer. The barren ridge of the Three Sisters is visible beyond its southern shore.
The trail arcs around the lake’s north shore, meeting a junction just past the large boulders by the lake’s outlet (9270´). Turn left (generally west) and begin a gradual descent, once again following Dinkey Creek (brook trout) as it gains in volume and velocity the farther it flows from its headwaters.
After 1.6 miles, bear left (south) across Dinkey Creek and climb gradually to Mystery Lake (8963´). Near the lake’s outlet, the trail becomes difficult to spot, as use paths diverge in all directions around this heavily used lake. Your main path skirts the lake’s north side and the boggy area east of it before crossing Swede Lake’s outlet. Now the route climbs about a dozen switchbacks and refords the outlet just prior to reaching Swede Lake’s north shore. Swede Lake (9224´), bordered by smooth granite slabs on its southeast shore, presents fine swimming and angling opportunities.
Past Swede Lake’s north end, the trail immediately climbs 150 feet, ending in a mellow traverse and slight descent to South Lake in 0.7 mile. South Lake (9294´; 11S 316454 4114249), with its deep, alluring, emerald waters, is fed by a waterfall rushing over an exposed granite ledge on its south side.
DAY 3 (South Lake to Cliff Lake Trailhead, 8 miles): Beyond South Lake, the main trail crosses the lake’s outlet and traverses gradually above bogs to ford Dinkey Creek and reach the junction where you began the loop on Day 2. At this junction, close the loop and turn right (east). Retrace your steps to the next junction, and instead of going back to Island Lake, head left (east and then south) along Second Dinkey Lake’s east shore to Rock Lake. From there, retrace this trip’s route to the trailhead.
KAISER PASS ROAD TRIPS
Potter Pass Trailhead 7855´; 11S 309230 4126844
Information and Permits: This trailhead is in Sierra National Forest: 1600 Tollhouse Road, Clovis, CA 93611, 559-297-0706, www.fs.fed.us/r5/sierra/. Permits are required for overnight stays, and quotas apply; reserved permits and on-demand permits are available.
Driving Directions: From Clovis (near Fresno), take State Hwy. 168 northeast for 42 winding, slow miles to its end at a T junction on the east shore of Huntington Lake at the community of Lakeshore. Turn right, away from Lakeshore, on Kaiser Pass Road, and go 2.7 more miles to a junction with a dirt road on the left (north). Turn left and go 0.2 mile to its end at the Potter Pass Trailhead for Kaiser Wilderness.
12 George Lake
Trip Data: 11S 307566 4129484; 9.4 miles; 2/1 days
Topos: Kaiser Peak
Highlights: In the heart of the Sierra National Forest, little Kaiser Wilderness boasts 35 square miles of pristine forests, emerald lakes, and rugged alpine terrain. Despite its immediate proximity to Huntington Lake, Kaiser Wilderness lures relatively few hikers compared to neighboring John Muir and Ansel Adams wildernesses. This short trip samples its solitude and ample swimming and fishing opportunities.
DAY 1 (Potter Pass Trailhead to George Lake, 4.7 miles): From the Potter Pass Trailhead, the trail briefly parallels Potter Creek before steeply climbing its west fork. The path bears east as it ascends southeast-facing slopes that offer views southeast toward the highest peaks of neighboring Dinkey Lakes Wilderness—10,000-plus-foot Three Sisters (seen as a series of rounded granite studs) and barren, serrated, 10,302-foot Dogtooth Peak. The strenuous climb culminates 2.5 miles from the trailhead at Potter Pass (8970´), where your trail converges with the California Riding and Hiking Trail, coming up from a trailhead farther east on Kaiser Pass Road.
VIEWS FROM POTTER PASS
Epic views await at the pass! In the north, Balloon Dome stands alone as a prominent granite knob jutting from the enormously visible San Joaquin River valley. Farther north, the Minarets of the Ritter Range are easily identified as the dark, jagged peaks, remnants of volcanoes that erupted some 100 million years ago. East-southeast, South Fork San Joaquin River drains the mountains of northern
