California Trails

26E213 - Coyote Lake Trail

Shaver Lake, California (Fresno County)

Last Updated: 11/01/2022

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Trail Information

Highlights

A high mountain lake hidden at the end of the Red Lake 4x4 Trail is, literally, only the beginning. Coyote Lake Trail is a challenging, rock crawling 4x4 trail that runs from Red Lake to Coyote Lake. Rock crawling, swimming, fishing, camping and lake side relaxation in the high mountains of the Sierra National Forest make for one of the most rewarding 1.7 miles you can run. This is one of many 4x4 trails in the Red Mountain off-road trail network in the Sierra National Forest, northeast of Shaver Lake and Southeast of Huntington Lake. Rock obstacles, dense forest, and two lakes make Coyote Lake Trail a prime destination for the seasoned wheeler looking to get off the grid.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

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G. Martin

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Trail Navigation

Coyote Lake Trail is open 06/15-11/01 each year, but this is subject to extended closures / delayed openings. Forest Service Trail Status You must first run Red Lake Trail to reach the start of Coyote Lake Trail. In comparison, Coyote Lake Trail is more difficult than Red Lake. Coyote Lake Trail starts with a serious rock obstacle Gate Keeper and does not let up for its entire 1.7 mile length. Large boulders and tight squeezes around trees are continuous through out this trail. The more substantial obstacles are included in the waypoints below, but be prepared for continuous crawling until you reach the camping area at Coyote Lake.

1. Coyote Lake Trailhead (0 mi)

26E213 - Coyote Lake Trail - Waypoint 1: Coyote Lake Trailhead

From the end of Red Lake Trail, turn right / south to pass through this gate and start on Coyote Lake Trail.

2. Coyote Lake Trail Gate Keeper (0.01 mi)

26E213 - Coyote Lake Trail - Waypoint 2: Coyote Lake Trail Gate Keeper

Pick your line and head on up. You have a few choices here. To the right, you can go around the tree and deal with a tight turn, but fewer rocks, or you can take the line just left of the tree (probably the easiest). To the far left is the hard line. Careful tire placement and enough ground clearance should get you right up this, but this line is considered by some to be borderline extreme.

3. Meadow / Pond (0.09 mi)

26E213 - Coyote Lake Trail - Waypoint 3: Meadow / Pond

Continue on. As the trail curves right, the Pond and Meadow are to your left / north.

4. The Roots (0.13 mi)

26E213 - Coyote Lake Trail - Waypoint 4: The Roots

Squeeze your way through ( or over ) the rocks at the base and continue up this obstacle of tree roots.

5. The Rock Pile (0.25 mi)

26E213 - Coyote Lake Trail - Waypoint 5: The Rock Pile

Continue straight to make your way through this Rock Pile.

6. Rock Garden 1 (0.92 mi)

26E213 - Coyote Lake Trail - Waypoint 6: Rock Garden 1

Keep going. The Rock Garden here is just more of what you've already been through.

7. Rock Garden 2 (0.97 mi)

26E213 - Coyote Lake Trail - Waypoint 7: Rock Garden 2

Continue on. This Rock Garden is a long one.

8. Center Rock (1.23 mi)

26E213 - Coyote Lake Trail - Waypoint 8: Center Rock

Pick your line and continue over this obstacle. Center Rock, as the name suggests, sits in the center of the trail. Get your tires on the larger rocks on the side of the trail opposite the tree to gain some height and avoid hanging up here.

9. Lake / Camping (1.39 mi)

26E213 - Coyote Lake Trail - Waypoint 9: Lake / Camping

Continue straight or pick a spot and set up camp. This is your first peak at Coyote Lake and the first camp sites you come across. There is a vault toilet at this location.

10. More Camping (1.59 mi)

26E213 - Coyote Lake Trail - Waypoint 10: More Camping

Continue straight or pick a spot and set up camp. There are multiple camp sites on both side of the trail here.

11. Best Camping (1.68 mi)

26E213 - Coyote Lake Trail - Waypoint 11: Best Camping

Continue straight or pick a spot and set up camp. This is the best of the numerous camp sites at Coyote Lake. This one is close to the water, has plenty of space for a big group and includes some log picnic tables.

12. End (1.7 mi)

26E213 - Coyote Lake Trail - Waypoint 12: End

Coyote Lake Trail ends here where you can loop around this rock to turn around. A hiking trail continues on, but this is the end of the 4x4 trail. The only way to drive out is back the way you came in. Set up camp, take a swim, do some fishing, hiking, or head back to Red Lake.