Trip to Cliff Lake located in the Dinkey Lakes Wilderness


Details
Otto and I will backpack 5 miles to Cliff Lake from the trailhead. As we hike the Cliff Lake Trail, we will experience an overall change in altitude of 1,000 ft. We will drop down on the first part of the trail about 200 ft. in 1.4 miles. Then, we will rise, during the second part of the trail, about 1,200 ft. as we reach Cliff Lake. Otto and I will fish for little trout in the lake. If you want to try your hand at catching small trout, bring your bait, rod and reel. We will do some bushwhacking above the lake. Maybe will strive to summit the peaks of the 3 Sisters or summit the Lil' Brother. Our plan is to leave Fresno Friday night at 5:00 pm. We will stop at the Ranger Station in Prather to pick up the wilderness permit. We will drive up to Buck Meadow Campground and spend the night there. We will arise Saturday morning as early as possible, eat breakfast, drink coffee, and head out to the Cliff Lake Trailhead. Our goal is to get to the trailhead by no later than 8 am and begin hiking by 9 am. No guests are allowed. If you want to meet us at the trailhead Saturday morning, let me know. It takes about 2.5 hours to get to the trailhead from downtown Fresno. If you want to meet us at the Buck Meadow Campground, here are the directions--Take Hwy 168 east from Clovis towards Prather. Continue through Prather to Shaver Lake. Just before you reach Shaver Lake turn right on the Dinkey Creek Road. Travel 11.7 miles east to the intersection of the Dinkey Creek Road and the McKinley Grove Road. Turn right and travel about 4 to 5 miles until you reach the Buck Meadow Campground, which is on the left side of the road.
Some travel information from Fresno to the Cliff Lake Trailhead:
My Home to Prather: 38 minutes, 32 miles
Prather to Dinkey Creek Rd: 25 minutes, 17 miles
Dinkey Creek Rd to Dinkey Creek: 18 minutes, 12 miles
Dinkey Creek to McKinley Grove: 10 minutes, 5 miles
McKinley Grove to Courtright Reservoir: 32 minutes, 16 miles
Reservoir to Trailhead: 18 minutes, 3 miles
Time: 2 hours and 21 minutes
Miles: 85

Trip to Cliff Lake located in the Dinkey Lakes Wilderness