Sierra South. Mike White
its owner enough time to grab his gun and kill the bear. Local legend and Dinkey Lakes Wilderness honor small but mighty Dinkey to this day.
From the northwest finger of Courtright Reservoir, the trail crosses Nelson Creek (difficult in early season) and turns left (northwest) at a junction, leaving Courtright Reservoir. Three miles from the trailhead, the path reaches a signed junction (8570´): A lightly traveled route leads right (north) to Helms Meadow, and another route leads left (southwest) to Nelson Lakes. Your route along the Cliff Lake Trail continues straight (northwest) through a dense forest of lodgepole, red fir, and western white pine.
The trail’s grade steepens over switchbacks as it passes through the filtered sunshine of a south-facing slope cloaked with red-barked manzanita shrubs and large western white pine. Enjoy views of Courtright Reservoir and the surrounding granite domes bordering its shores. Brown Peak (10,349´), Nelson Mountain (10,218´), and Eagle Peak (10,318´) tower on the southern skyline, while farther east, the desolate, sawtooth, granite peaks of the LeConte Divide can be seen breaking the seemingly endless expanse of sky.
Above the switchbacks, the trail returns to a more moderate grade and soon reaches an unmarked junction (9430´) with a spur trail left. Go left (west-northwest) to the banks of Cliff Lake (the right branch continues just above Cliff Lake toward Dogtooth Peak and Rock Lake). Descend this spur trail to the lower end of the lake and the first of six campsites that are nestled along the eastern shore, with a backdrop of sheer 400-foot granite walls that tower above the boulder-studded forest (9430´; 11S 318673 4112363).
The view from a minor summit reveals another peak dividing the “tooth” of the Dogtooth in two.
DAY 2 (Cliff Lake to Cliff Lake Trailhead, 5 miles): Retrace your steps.
BAGGING DOGTOOTH PEAK
To begin this trip, return to the previous junction (9430´) and turn left (northwest) directly above Cliff Lake. The trail meets a junction (9760´) 0.1 mile farther, with a right-branching trail east to Bullfrog Lake. Continue northwest along the left branch for a moderate, 500-foot climb to the prominent saddle and an unmarked junction with a use trail to Dogtooth Peak; here, enjoy views of the granite cliffs that lend their name to Cliff Lake, 400 feet below.
From the saddle and junction (9860´), turn right and follow the lightly traveled route east along the south side of the ridge. This expanse offers tremendous views of the varied and colorful southern Sierra landscape—sapphire alpine lakes bordered by forested mountains bearing granite peaks, spires, and domes. The level route traverses large granite slabs between two diminutive domes.
At a notch, the route turns steeply northeast to the base of Dogtooth Peak. Hiking cross-country to Dogtooth’s east side requires careful bouldering across large granite slabs. The view from a minor summit reveals another peak dividing the “tooth” of the Dogtooth in two.
At 10,302 feet, Dogtooth Peak, defined by jagged and glistening white-quartz chunks, resembles the finest ivory. At the summit, a relatively small expenditure of energy rewards peakbaggers with encompassing views of the myriad of high Sierra summits, including some of North America’s highest peaks along LeConte Divide. A host of barren granite domes encircle Courtright Reservoir to the southeast, while a short distance to the west, the 10,612-foot Three Sisters soar high above the thickly forested Dinkey Lakes basin.
11 Dinkey Lakes
Trip Data: 11S 323436 4108468 (Island Lake); 20 miles; 3/1 days
Topos: Courtright Reservoir, Dogtooth Peak
Highlights: Dinkey Lakes Wilderness receives far less traffic than its eastern neighbor, John Muir Wilderness. This well-graded route leads past nearly a dozen alpine lakes that are set amid granite spires and sawtooth ridgelines. The shallow lakes are relatively warm for swimming.
DAY 1 (Cliff Lake Trailhead to Island Lake, 7 miles): Follow the trail northwest to Courtright Reservoir. Near the reservoir’s northwest end, ford Nelson Creek (difficult in early season. At a signed junction (8570´), continue straight (northwest) through a dense forest of lodgepole, red fir, and western white pine.
The trail’s grade steepens over switchbacks. Above the switchbacks, the route returns to a more moderate grade and soon reaches an unmarked junction (9430´). Take the right fork (northwest) toward Dogtooth Peak and Rock Lake.
Ascend along switchbacks, climbing 110 feet to a junction right (east) to Bullfrog Lake. Go left (northwest), climbing another 200 feet to a saddle and unmarked trail junction to Dogtooth Peak (see for directions on how to bag Dogtooth Peak). From the saddle, descend north-northwest to Rock Lake (9590´). The first of several large campsites is nestled at the southeast shore, with more open south-facing sites along the northwest bank (fishing for brook). The path skirts Rock Lake’s eastern bank, crosses the outflow, and soon reaches a marked junction with a right-branching side trail (northeast) to Little Lake (9640´).
LITTLE 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