Shaver Lake area help planning trip.

JohnX

JohnX

Sarge
Location
Williams AZ
Hi Guys. I will be planning a trip up to this area in the middle of June. This is a family trip and everyone has 4x4's at least as capable as a stock Cherokee. That being said, I am in charge of finding places to stay and things to do. I have only been there once and it was several years ago (before I owned a Jeep). This is a short list of things we would like to do. If you know someplace good near Shaver lake to do any of these things please let me know.

4x4 trails with camping areas along the way.

Shooting (clays, targets, cans, whatever) We have all the gear and would prefer somewhere we don't have to pay for.

Rafting...we would like something with some difficulty, not to expensive (we do not own rafts)

Canoeing...lake style, not rapids. Again, we will have to rent canoes.

Pontoon boat maybe for a day?

Hiking...yeah, this is an easy one to find.

Horseback rides...half day pay trip.

Caves...any and all!

Waterfalls worth seeing? Maybe could be grouped with hiking.



Basically I want to keep everything central to Shaver Lake, we only have eight days and don't want to spend them driving from place to place.

Don't be afraid to post coordinates so I can google earth it.
Also, links are welcome too.

Thanks in advance.
 
Last edited:
JohnX said:
Hi Guys. I will be planning a trip up to this area in the middle of June. This is a family trip and everyone has 4x4's at least as capable as a stock Cherokee. That being said, I am in charge of finding places to stay and things to do. I have only been there once and it was several years ago (before I owned a Jeep). This is a short list of things we would like to do. If you know someplace good near Shaver lake to do any of these things please let me know.

4x4 trails with camping areas along the way.
Red Mountain trails (Red, Strawberry,Coyote, Mirror, Bald Mt.)
Shooting (clays, targets, cans, whatever) We have all the gear and would prefer somewhere we don't have to pay for.
AFAIK Shooting is only allowed in certain times of the year. You will have to probably call the RangerStation in Prather,CA for exact info.
Rafting...we would like something with some difficulty, not to expensive (we do not own rafts)
In Shaver area, you would have to go up to Dinkey Creek. Of course I have never heard of anyone rafting it. We usually raft the Kings River in Sequia National Park.
Canoeing...lake style, not rapids. Again, we will have to rent canoes.
Shaver itself or any of the high country lakes including ones you can wheel to. (Red, Coyote, Strawberry, Mirror)
Pontoon boat maybe for a day?
Shaver has boat rentals
Hiking...yeah, this is an easy one to find.
Its all awsome up there. For a good day hike, I would recomend taking a look at Dinkey Creek, Bald Mtn, or McKinley Grove.
Horseback rides...half day pay trip.
There is a stable in Shaver (great place btw) that does this exact thing. I dont recall the name though.
Caves...any and all!
None that I am really aware of. There are some cool old buildings WAY up in the hills, but not fun for a day thing out of Shaver.
Waterfalls worth seeing? Maybe could be grouped with hiking.
No Waterfalls... but beautiful high country lakes.


Basically I want to keep everything central to Shaver Lake, we only have eight days and don't want to spend them driving from place to place.

Don't be afraid to post coordinates so I can google earth it.
Also, links are welcome too.
For hiking and scenery and camping plus a little wheeling really close. Check out Brewer lake (4x4 trail and great fishing). Its REALLY close to Dinkey Lakes (great hiking).
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
 
Yo, Scrappy of the trials you posted "Red Mountain trails (Red, Strawberry,Coyote, Mirror, Bald Mt.)" what ones are gated?

Just asking because maybe if we have another late snow season some of the trails might be closed.
 
I doubt with an EL NINO year that late snow will happen. Supposed to be a VERY long summer. All trails are gates except Bald Mtn. I will be sure to make the gate openings clear here when they happen.
 
Okey dokey. Know anywhere to get some decent maps of the area?
 
Scrappy....If you're coming down for the Sushi, pick me up a good map if you have time. Pretty Please.

I'll make sure I bring some extra dough.
 
I am going to see what I can do about sushi, doubtful on a tuesday night though. I can get some and mail them to you jsut as easily though.
 
John, you should be able to get a map at Sports Chalet or other good sporting goods store. I also wonder if you can order one from the Sierra National Forest website.

From Shaver Lake, you can wheel into Red Lake, Coyote Lake, Mirror Lake and Strawberry Lake, all in a day if you wanted, or overnight at Coyote Lake. For a more relaxed trip just do Coyote Lake, and you'll go past Red Lake. The trailhead is about an hour from Shaver, and it takes about an hour to get to Red lake and another hour to get to Coyote Lake. The scenery at Coyote is fabulous. I'd also wheel to the top of Bald Mtn, which overlooks Shaver Lake to the south. One or two rigs can run the trail to the top in 1 -2 hours.

Leave the guns at home......too much other good stuff to do, and no target areas around there.

No rafting in the immediate area, you'd have to drive down the mountian to the southwest to the Kings River above Pine Flat Lake. There are no rafting concesions on site, I think you'd have to find an outfit and make arrangements ahead of time.

There are boat rentals at Shaver Lake.

For a day hike, the best is hiking into the Dinkey Lakes Wilderness and the many lakes. You can do a day hike to the many lakes from Coyote Lake, or you can drive about 1.5 hour to the Dinkey Lakes Trailhead, which also happens to be the trailhead for the Swamp Lake Trail. From there, you can do about a 10 mile loop that hits 4 or 5 very pretty lakes......and there is a small waterfall near the beginning of the trail. Another good day hike is at Kaiser Pass, to the east past Huntington Lake less than an hour drive from Shaver. The trail goes south from the pass along the ridge to the top of the peak. BTW, if you go north from the pass you'll hit the trailhead for the Dusy-Ershim Trail, which you could run up to the top for a good, short run to the top of a 10,300 ft ridge with awesome views.

There is a horse pack station and rental south of Shaver right before you get to Dinkey Creek.

That is a very nice area, with plenty to do. Don't try to do too much.......this is a vacation. :)
 
Goatman said:
Don't try to do too much.......this is a vacation. :)
Click to expand...
We're like the Army, we get more done before 9AM than most people do all day.



G. I'll keep you posted if I find anything good.
 
I'll be heading up that way late June or early July (if the trails are open). I'll post here with a date if you'll want to join.
 
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