7S32 - Voyager Rock

Shaver Lake, California (Fresno) Technical Rating: 2-4

Last Updated: 01-12-2018

Status: Seasonal Closure

Difficulty: Easy

Length: 2.1 Miles

Category: Altitude, Forest, Iconic, Mud, Overland, Rock, Sand

Highest Elevation: 8,500 '

Duration: 30 minutes

Shape of Trail: Out & Back

Best Direction to Go: North

Connecting Trails:
Dusy-Ershim Trail

Nearest Town:
Shaver Lake

Nearest Town w/ Service:
Shaver Lake

Nearby Trails:

Forest Service Road: # 7S32

Forest Service / Park District:
Forest Service of Pacific Southwest Region

7S32 - Voyager Rock Highlights

Highlights: 7S32 - Voyager Rock - Shaver Lake, California

This trail provides some of the best views in Southern California and is also the gateway to one of the hardest trails in America, The Dusy-Ershim. If you plan on visiting the Voyager Rock area, please be prepared for lots of hiking, off-roading, fishing, and memories.

Technical rating: (2-4) Easy

Rutted and/or rocky road. No shelves but rocks to 9". Water crossings usually less than hub deep. Passable mud. Grades moderate, up to 15 degrees. Side hill moderate up to 15 degrees. 4WD under most conditions. No width problems, vehicle passing spots frequently available if less than two vehicles wide.

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Directions to Trailhead

Take Hwy 168 east from Clovis towards Prather. Continue through Prather towards 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 13.6 miles north on the McKinley Grove Road to the Courtright Reservoir turnoff. Turn left and travel north 7.5 miles to Courtright Lake. At Courtright lake there will be a junction in the road. Turn right towards the Maxson trailhead. Travel north for 3.3 miles to the Maxson trailhead. At the Maxson trailhead take the Dusy Ershim Off Highway Vehicle Route. Follow it for 1.8 miles to Voyager Rock Campground.

Trailhead GPS Coordinates:

37° 6' 12.98"N
118° 57' 48.1"W

Topo Maps:

Voyager Rock / Dusy-Ershim Trail

GPS Exchange File:

Download

Route Description

This overland route provides some of the best views in Southern California with some giant granite structures and thick lush forest. The trail itself is a moderate trail with some wash outs.

1: Courtright Damn (0.0mi)

7S32 - Voyager Rock - Waypoint 1: Courtright Damn

Courtright Damn offers a stunning view while driving across. But this isn't for the people with a weak stomach. Courtright Damn has no guard rails.

37.079276, -118.970279

2: Staging Area

There is a staging area for people to get ready to do the trail. People do leave their vehicles over night here. But be warned, this is far from activity and no one is watching your stuff.

37.082824, -118.961849

3: South Trailhead (0.0mi)

7S32 - Voyager Rock - Waypoint 3: South Trailhead

Trail entrance to Voyager Rock "Maxson Trail"

37.082331, -118.963362

4: View (1.0mi)

The trail goes along many giant granite slabs while traveling to Voyager Rock. While traveling along the trial many of the views are so stunning you will have pull over to just gaze in the beauty.

37.087148, -118.961248

5: Camp Ground

Voyager Rock Campground is in the middle of a mecca of outdoors. The area around has Fishing, Hiking, Off-Roading, Exploring, and much more.

37.103605, -118.961573

6: North Gate (2.1mi)

7S32 - Voyager Rock - Waypoint 6: North Gate

This is the beginning of the Dusy-Ershim Trail. Past this point offers challenges very few can say they have completed.

37.105738, -118.961926

7: Chicken / Voyager Rock (2.2mi)

7S32 - Voyager Rock - Waypoint 7: Chicken / Voyager Rock

Chicken / Voyager Rock. Recommended for experienced drivers and equipped vehicles only, the view on top is breath taking.

37.106382, -118.963146

Access Issues

Information Center: High Sierra Ranger District 29688 Auberry Rd P.O. Box 559 Prather, CA 93651

(559) 855-5355 Hearing Impaired California Relay Service 711 Open: Monday-Friday Hours: 8:00am-4:30pm

Camping and Lodging

Camping & Lodging: 7S32 - Voyager Rock - Shaver Lake, California

Voyager Rock offers one of the best remote camp grounds in Southern California. Along a large reservoir it provides plenty of fishing, and the view is something to talk about. Bring plenty of water because the camp ground is around 8500 feet.

37.103605, -118.961573

Reservations: No reservations, First come, First serve

Area Amenities: Tent camping,Picnic tables,Toilets

Fees No Fees

Open Season: May

Usage: Light

Restrictions: Maximum length of stay = 14 days Maximum vehicle length = short wheel base OHV only Maximum group size = 6 per site

Water: No

Restroom: No

Josh Noesser

Joshua Noesser grew up in Southern California but has lived in different parts of the country during his young adult life. Josh was first turned to...

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Questions & Answers

Question:

Would a (basically) stock WK2 make it up to the campground? Thanks!

By Bennett on January 11, 2018

respond

Answer:

As long as it is 4wd, it should be able to make it. But do not attempt in the snow or if wet. Also, please confirm if the trail is open with the forest services before making that long drive out there.

By Josh Noesser Official Crew on January 12, 2018

Question:

Is the campground open? And is there any snow and if so how much?

By Dylan on December 14, 2017

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Answer:

Good Day, I know they have had a few snow storms already but I am not clear if the campground is still open. You can call the forest service at the phone number in Access Issues which is not far above this section on the page.

By Josh Noesser Official Crew on December 14, 2017

Question:

Would a completely stock full size 4x4 truck be able to make it to voyager rock campground?

By sal on August 01, 2017

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Answer:

The trail conditions do change every year. But as of 2016 year I would say a stock 4x4 truck could make it. I wouldn't recommend towing because of how narrow it is and how steep some of the hills can be. ............................. The hardest parts are a set of small drops (4 inches or so), and some hills that are over 20 degrees. ............................. I would not recommend trying Voyager Rock / Chicken Rock after the campground.

By Josh Noesser Official Crew on August 01, 2017

Question:

Has anyone been up to Voyager Rock this year (2017) to camp? I wanted to check on snow and trail before I headed up.

By Tim Bruner on July 25, 2017

respond

Answer:

Hey Tim, were you able to make it out there? If so can you post up a drip report with some photos?

By Josh Noesser Official Crew on August 01, 2017

Check this out... https://www.pcta.org/discover-the-trail/maps/ It says there is no snow Forest Service says under 10k you should be okay. Above 11k feet as of July 23rd still has 5+ feet of snow Swamp Lake Trail is currently closed due to excessive damage and down trees.

By Josh Noesser Official Crew on July 25, 2017

Hey Tim, I don't know for sure, and I recommend contacting the forest service. But last I heard was there is still a lot of snow up there. This was roughly a month ago.

By Josh Noesser Official Crew on July 25, 2017

Sorry, we didn't make it last weekend, but will be heading up in August, I will post some pictures and a report when I do. Thanks, Tim

By Tim Bruner on August 02, 2017

Thanks Josh, didn't know how else to reply to you. I was up at Brewer Lake on July 15th and there were small patches of snow there, but nothing bad. I will let you know what kind of snow there is at Voyager Rock if I end up going there this weekend.

By Tim Bruner on July 25, 2017

Question:

Can a lifted 4x4 2006 dodge quad cab long bed with 37" tires make it to Voyager Rock Campground?

By KEN MURRAY on June 27, 2017

respond

Answer:

Good Ken... When the snow is melted, I would say your truck should easily be able to make it to the campground. Now, I don't know if I would try to go any further such as up Chicken / Voyager Rock. But the campground should be no problem. . . Getting to the campground is the first 3:30 seconds of the video. After that, this is going up Chicken / Voyager Rock which isn't required. . . PS. Last I heard the snow is still very deep on the trail. If you are wanting to go up there anytime soon. I would recommend reaching out to the Rangers Office for updated snow depths.

By Josh Noesser Official Crew on June 27, 2017

Trip Reports

No trip reports.

7S32 - Voyager Rock

Shaver Lake, California (Fresno) Technical Rating: 2-4

7S32 - Voyager Rock Highlights

Technical rating: (2-4) Easy

Video