Basics
- Location:
- About 19 miles east of Oakley
- Length:
- 10 miles oneway
- Difficulty:
- Intermediate
- Elevation Change:
- 1800 feet
- Season:
- June to October
Description
There are two trails - one up a creek and the other on a ridge - which both lead to Fish Lake in the Dry Fork drainage near Holiday Park. Sand and Fish Lakes are natural lakes which have been dammed. There is a lot of trash around Sand and Fish Lakes, mostly a remnant of the dam building days. Please, do not add to these trash piles and if you have the means, haul a bit of the existing trash out with you when you leave.
Details
Location:
About 19 miles east of Oakley
Length:
10 miles oneway
Difficulty:
Intermediate
Elevation Change:
1800
Season:
June to October
Useful Map(s):
USGS Quad: Whitney Reservoir
Additional Details:
Surprisingly, these trails receive moderate use through the summer season. Both trails are steep, primitive, rocky and eroded. The second stream crossing of the Dry Fork trail is easy to miss. After crossing the stream the first time about 1/4 mile east of the parking area, the trail stays well above the stream for about one mile, then drops down to the waters edge. This is the place to ford the stream and continue to the southeast. What makes this confusing is that an old trail continues east following the main Dry Fork drainage from this point, and in fact, a person may reach Fish Lake by simply following Dry Fork. However, the main trail shortcuts up the drainage to Round Lake..Map Corrections: The Ridge Trail is not shown on the map even though it is a well-established trail and has been used for many years. The location of the trailhead is described above. The trail itself climbs to the ridge east of Holiday Park, then proceeds southeast along the ridge to a point above and west of Fish Lake. Here, the trail switchbacks down to the lake. Some Forest Service maps show the Ridge Trail continuing southeast beyond Fish Lake and connecting with the Cuberant Lake Trail. This trail does not exist, although the route may be negotiated cross-country by better hikers. .
Map + Directions
Basic Directions
Dry Fork Trail: After passing the entrance to Holiday Park (a summer home area), continue to follow County Road 213 east and south for about 1/4 mile. Immediately after the road turns south, look for an opening in the fence on the east (left) side of the road. Often, there will be cars or trucks with horse trailers parked here. This is where the trail begins. .Ridge Trail: Continue south from the Dry Fork Trailhead another 1/4 mile, then take the first road on the east (left). This rough dirt road switchbacks up the hill several times, finally ending on a small landing. The trail continues east up the hill from here. .
