The Dinkey Lakes Wilderness was protected by Congress in 1984 with the passage of the California Wilderness Act. It lies immediately west of the John Muir Wilderness and consists of timbered rolling terrain.
Sixteen sizable lakes and dozens of smaller ones are this wildernesses highlights. Most of the wilderness is above 8,000 feet and the highest point, Three Sisters Peak, is 10, 619 feet above sea level. Large meadows can be found in the north central part of the wilderness and along Helms Creek.
GETTING THERE
From the north, most visitors access the Dinkey Lakes Wilderness via Kaiser Pass Road, which leads east from Huntington Lake over Kaiser Pass. To the South, with wilderness borders Courtright Reservoir, and multiple jeep roads lead toward the wilderness from the west.
WILDERNESS PERMITS
A permit is required for all overnight stays, and quotas are in place year round. (Why?)
60% of the trailhead permits are available through advanced reservation, while 40% is kept for first-come-first-served visitors 24 hours prior to their trip.
Reservations can be made six months prior to your trip and there is a $5.00 reservation fee for each person and for all trails.
For information on how to obtain a permit, visit the Sierra National Forest website.
MAXIMUM GROUP SIZE
No more than 15 people and 25 head of stock are allowed on overnight trips. (Why?)
BEARS AND FOOD STORAGE
Proper food storage is required at all times. Bear canisters are recommended. The counter-balance method can also be effective if done properly. Use the bear section on this site to learn more about how to protect your food and the Sierra’s black bears.
CAMPFIRES
No campfires are allowed above 10,400 feet. In places where fires are allowed, make sure to always use smart campfire methods, and follow the Sierra National Forest guidelines.
PETS
Pets must be on a leash or under voice control at all times.
Stock Travel
Dinkey Lakes is well suited for stock travel, but camping with stock in the Dinkey lakes basin is not recommended. The northern part of Dinkey Lakes wilderness and the Helms Meadow area have great stock camping opportunities. To protect water quality, stock parties should camp at least 500 feet from any lakeshore.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
- Cattle grazing is a historic and continuing use of the Dinkey Lakes Wilderness.
CONTACT
Sierra National Forest
Supervisor’s Office
1600 Tollhouse Road
Clovis, CA 93612
559-297-0706
TTY 559-322-4925
High Sierra Ranger District
PO Box 559
Prather, CA 93651
(559) 855-5355