California Trails

26E212 - Red Lake Trail

4.9/5 (24 reviews)

Shaver Lake, California (Fresno County)

Last Updated: 11/01/2023

Trail Information

Highlights

Altitude

Camping

Forest

Overland

Rock

Scenic

Water

A high mountain lake hidden at the end of this rock crawling 4x4 trail makes for a killer end-of-trail reward and an even better camping location. Rock gardens, dense forest, a few short stretches of easy trail and, of course, Red Lake, make up Red Lake Trail. This is one of many 4x4 trails in the Red Mountain OHV network in the Sierra National Forest, northeast of Shaver Lake and Southeast of Huntington Lake. Red Lake Trail is one of the "easier" trails in this area, when compared to Mirror Lake Trail and Coyote Lake Trail , but do not underestimate Red Lake. While easier, it is not "easy", and still a challenge to reach the Lake at the end.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

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G. Martin

Official Crew

Trail Navigation

Red Lake Trail is open 06/15-11/01 each year, but this is subject to extended closures / delayed openings. Forest Service Trail Status An easy start from Sand Flats quickly changes at Waypoint 3 when you reach the Gate Keeper. While you can find a line to bypass the worst of the Gate Keeper obstacles, don't; this is a good indicator of what's to come as rock garden, after rock garden, after rock garden will keep you working to complete this trail. Yes, there are easy stretches on this trail, and yes, this is the "easier" of the hard trails here, but tire placement is still critical to avoid bends, breaks or hang ups.

1. Sand Flats / Red Lake Trailhead (0 mi)

26E212 - Red Lake Trail - Waypoint 1: Sand Flats / Red Lake Trailhead

Start here, at the east end of Sand Flats. Stay to the right at the sign boards. Sand Flats includes a few campsites, a vault toilet, and open sandy areas around the trees.

2. Tight Rocky Section (0.2 mi)

26E212 - Red Lake Trail - Waypoint 2: Tight Rocky Section

Continue straight to maneuver your way over these few rocks. The rocks alone here wouldn't typically be worth a waypoint, but the tree on the opposite side of the trail might catch the roof of a leaning rig.

3. Gate Keeper (0.34 mi)

26E212 - Red Lake Trail - Waypoint 3: Gate Keeper

Continue straight through the Gate Keeper. This obstacle is a good example of what you're to come across on this trail. If you have trouble here, you may want to turn back before you get deeper in.

4. Thick Forest (0.6 mi)

26E212 - Red Lake Trail - Waypoint 4: Thick Forest

Squeeze your way down the trail through this densely wooded section.

5. Easy Rocks (0.88 mi)

26E212 - Red Lake Trail - Waypoint 5: Easy Rocks

Continue straight. This is typical of the easier sections of this trail.

6. Rock Garden (1.1 mi)

26E212 - Red Lake Trail - Waypoint 6: Rock Garden

Here's a Rock Garden. Get used to them. More are coming up.

7. Big Rock Option (1.15 mi)

26E212 - Red Lake Trail - Waypoint 7: Big Rock Option

Continue straight over this optional rock obstacle, or bypass it to the side.

8. Rock Garden (1.19 mi)

26E212 - Red Lake Trail - Waypoint 8: Rock Garden

Remember Waypoint 6? We told you so. Here is another Rock Garden.

9. Slabs (1.29 mi)

26E212 - Red Lake Trail - Waypoint 9: Slabs

An easy obstacle, but a unique sight, continue straight over the Slabs.

10. Uphill Rock Garden (1.4 mi)

26E212 - Red Lake Trail - Waypoint 10: Uphill Rock Garden

Continue straight. We warned you at Waypoint 6. We reminded you at Waypoint 8. Now, here's another Rock Garden. This one might be the most challenging part of the trail. This uphill rock garden is long and curves around ( or over ) some sizable boulders.

11. Tight Rock Spot (1.62 mi)

26E212 - Red Lake Trail - Waypoint 11: Tight Rock Spot

Slow down and squeeze through the rocks on each side of the trail here.

12. Another Rock Garden (1.94 mi)

26E212 - Red Lake Trail - Waypoint 12: Another Rock Garden

Continue straight. We explained this already. This trail is full of Rock Gardens. Get through this one and watch for the lake, up on your right.

13. Red Lake (2.03 mi)

26E212 - Red Lake Trail - Waypoint 13: Red Lake

Continue straight or stop to swim, fish and/or camp here at the lake; Red Lake. Camping is allowed along the side of the trail opposite the water.

14. End / Coyote Lake Trail Gate Keeper (2.4 mi)

26E212 - Red Lake Trail - Waypoint 14: End / Coyote Lake Trail Gate Keeper

Red Lake Trail ends here. If you're ready for more, continue up Coyote Lake Trail . If you've had enough, your options are to head back the way you came in or set up camp.

Trail Reviews

4.9/5 (24)

G. Martin

Official Crew

82050

Seasonal Closure

Visited: 11/01/2023

Seasonal closure

G. Martin

Official Crew

82050

Open

Visited: 08/03/2023

Open!

G. Martin

Official Crew

82050

Seasonal Closure

Visited: 06/29/2023

Still closed :( Might open by mid July 🤞

G. Martin

Official Crew

82050

Seasonal Closure

Visited: 11/01/2022

Seasonal closure

Greg Pedersen

300

Open

Rated 5/5

Visited: 09/08/2022

Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

The rating for this trail is spot on. It's a bit narrow in a few spots and the degree of difficulty seems to grow slightly as you get closer to Red Lake. The gate keeper seems to be easier than in years past and should probably be built up a bit. Just know that there are tougher sections of trail further along. We camped at the lake for a couple of nights and had it all to ourselves. Everybody else that we encountered pushed forward over to Coyote, which we ended up hiking to for some awesome lake views. Maybe another time!

Trail Review: 26E212 - Red Lake Trail - Greg Pedersen

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26E212 - Red Lake Trail

Trail Information

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Trail Difficulty and Assessment

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Trail Navigation

1. Sand Flats / Red Lake Trailhead (0 mi)

2. Tight Rocky Section (0.2 mi)

3. Gate Keeper (0.34 mi)

4. Thick Forest (0.6 mi)

5. Easy Rocks (0.88 mi)

6. Rock Garden (1.1 mi)

7. Big Rock Option (1.15 mi)

8. Rock Garden (1.19 mi)

9. Slabs (1.29 mi)

10. Uphill Rock Garden (1.4 mi)

11. Tight Rock Spot (1.62 mi)

12. Another Rock Garden (1.94 mi)

13. Red Lake (2.03 mi)

14. End / Coyote Lake Trail Gate Keeper (2.4 mi)

Trail Reviews

From the Community

G. Martin

26E212 - Red Lake Trail

Trail Information

Highlights

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Recommended Vehicle:

Concerns:

Summary:

Community Consensus

0 votes

1 votes

0 votes

Mandatory

Optional

Start your next adventure on 26E212 - Red Lake Trail

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Trail Navigation

1. Sand Flats / Red Lake Trailhead (0 mi)

2. Tight Rocky Section (0.2 mi)

3. Gate Keeper (0.34 mi)

4. Thick Forest (0.6 mi)

5. Easy Rocks (0.88 mi)

6. Rock Garden (1.1 mi)

7. Big Rock Option (1.15 mi)

8. Rock Garden (1.19 mi)

9. Slabs (1.29 mi)

10. Uphill Rock Garden (1.4 mi)

11. Tight Rock Spot (1.62 mi)

12. Another Rock Garden (1.94 mi)

13. Red Lake (2.03 mi)

14. End / Coyote Lake Trail Gate Keeper (2.4 mi)

Trail Reviews

From the Community

G. Martin

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