Sierra Lakes Run -Red Lake, Coyote Lake, Strawberry Lake 8-4-26 Thru 8-8-26

[Felix808]

Pretty sure it was dug at least another foot on both sides and front to back. You can see how chewed up the trees got, someone got real rowdy on the rock. Next time it will be completely different as these trails constantly change. I know I moved 3-4 big rocks by pivoting with my sliders.

This would be true. Good catch

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[Felix808]

Which lakes are best for camping at? What do you think of the Swamp lake trail?

Swamp is always a good time. I think the pictures show Coyote & Strawberry Lakes were pretty nice

 

[Valhalla]

Beautiful, looks like an awesome trp.

 

[userdude]

Very nice! I see you too have diarrhea of the shutter, as I do...

 

[TruckCamper]

Swamp is always a good time. I think the pictures show Coyote & Strawberry Lakes were pretty nice

Which are your favorite camp spots?

 

[Bonnie & Clyde]

Super Sweet Coach

 

[Snacktime]

Which are your favorite camp spots?

Strawberry for Raptors! Coyote is to narrow for them flares.

 

[TruckCamper]

Strawberry for Raptors! Coyote is to narrow for them flares.

We don’t have the flares... just curious on the nicest camping locations

 

[Snacktime]

We don’t have the flares... just curious on the nicest camping locations

Depends on the crowd this is a local party spot. We went mid week and got to pick our spots. This area is easily accessible to side by sides and the campsites are right next to the road. There is 4-5 amazing group camping spots, I say group or you will have company on the weekend. You really can't answer best spot, the whole area has awesome lake front camping, but the local groups are very clicky and think they own the area.

Camp at Red Lake and then run into Coyote. That would be the only change to this trip, Sand Flats was to warm mid afternoon.

 

[TruckCamper]

I guess that's what I was referring to... less popular, quieter and nicer lakes (not pond swamps) to camp at. Cali locals have not been the friendliest and rather abusive of rules. Sierras are still worth the effort as the terrain and beauty is unbeatable.

 

[Brian_B]

I guess that's what I was referring to... less popular, quieter and nicer lakes (not pond swamps) to camp at. Cali locals have not been the friendliest and rather abusive of rules. Sierras are still worth the effort as the terrain and beauty is unbeatable.

Just north of the San Joaquin in the Bass Lake area:

Grey’s Mountain, Gaggs Camp, and Big Sandy — all are awesome creek camps. Grays can get crowded but has some nice falls you can swim/fish in.

Star Lake and Iron Lake both overlook Yosemite and doesn’t get much traffic, but for both the camp sites it’s a couple hundred yards above the lake so it’s a bit of a hike to get to the water. The night view at Star is unbelievable from top of Raymond Mtn.

The wheeling trails aren’t nearly as robust though - mostly fire road with some 5/6 level stuff on occasion. Shuteye is a decent run in this area, and one of the best views in the Sierras imo.

Of the lakes over by Dinkey: I haven’t seen Swamp or Mirror yet. Coyote was the biggest, and pretty well developed for how difficult the trail was. Red was a close second.

Strawberry was smaller, pretty and a nice run with a nice camp area. West is kind of a pit stop on the way to Strawberry. Brewer is small and I wouldn’t really camp there but a fun, short run in that neck of the woods.

 

[EasternSierra]

Star Lake and Iron Lake both overlook Yosemite and doesn’t get much traffic, but for both the camp sites it’s a couple hundred yards above the lake so it’s a bit of a hike to get to the water. The night view at Star is unbelievable from top of Raymond Mtn.

To be clear, those lakes overlook a remote portion of Yosemite National Park (that I've hiked in), not Yosemite Valley itself. You won't see anything you'll recognize as "Yosemite", but it's nice mountain country.

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