7S32 - Voyager Rock

Shaver Lake, California (Fresno County)
Last Updated: 01/12/2018
5/5 (1 review)
Information
Nearby Trails
Status: Seasonal Closure
Typically Open: 08/01 - 11/01
Difficulty: 3-4
(EASY)
Length: 2.1 miles
Highest Elevation: 8500 feet
Duration: About 30 minutes
Shape of Trail: Out & Back
Best Direction to Travel: North
Nearest Town: Shaver Lake
Nearest Town w/ Services: Shaver Lake
Official Road Name: 7S32
Management Agency: Forest Service of Pacific Southwest Region
District: High Sierra Ranger District
Distance:
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Directions to Trail

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Highlights

Highlight: 7S32 - Voyager Rock

Voyager Rock Campground, also known as Courtwright Campground is a great place to escape when looking for the ultimate camping destination. With plenty of dispersed camping and an improved campground, there is no doubt why many people seek out this trail for a weekend to relax on. Along the route, you will have some of the best views in Southern California including towering granite mountains, lush forest, and expansive lakes. Outside the camping, this 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.

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Route Information

Technical Rating: (3-4)
(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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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 washouts, large granite slaps you have to traverse and mild dirt roads. Overall the trail is doable in most stock 4x4's. Please be aware of the altitude of this trail, it can likely cause issues for people. 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
The altitude of the trail is extremely high. About 10,000 feet.

Seasonal Information

Spring:Trail is likely closed due to snow pack
Summer:The area is cool to warm during the days with very cold nights
Fall:The trail is likely closed due to snow starting in Sept
Winter:Trail is closed.

Waypoints

1. Courtright Damn
7S32 - Voyager Rock - Waypoint 1: Courtright Damn
7S32 - Voyager Rock - Waypoint 1: Courtright Damn
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
7S32 - Voyager Rock - Waypoint 2: Staging Area
7S32 - Voyager Rock - Waypoint 2: Staging Area
7S32 - Voyager Rock - Waypoint 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
7S32 - Voyager Rock - Waypoint 3: South Trailhead
7S32 - Voyager Rock - Waypoint 3: South Trailhead
7S32 - Voyager Rock - Waypoint 3: South Trailhead

Trail entrance to Voyager Rock "Maxson Trail" 37.082331, -118.963362

4. View (1 mi)
7S32 - Voyager Rock - Waypoint 4: View
7S32 - Voyager Rock - Waypoint 4: View
7S32 - Voyager Rock - Waypoint 4: View

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 (1.8 mi)
7S32 - Voyager Rock - Waypoint 5: Camp Ground
7S32 - Voyager Rock - Waypoint 5: Camp Ground
7S32 - Voyager Rock - Waypoint 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 (2.1 mi)
7S32 - Voyager Rock - Waypoint 6: North Gate
7S32 - Voyager Rock - Waypoint 6: North Gate
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 (2.2 mi)
7S32 - Voyager Rock - Waypoint 7: Chicken / Voyager Rock
7S32 - Voyager Rock - Waypoint 7: Chicken / Voyager Rock
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

Directions to Trailhead

Trailhead Coordinates: 37.079276, -118.970279

Starting Point: Clovis, CA

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.

Camping

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
Camping: 7S32 - Voyager Rock

Writer Information

Josh Noesser

Mapping Crew - California
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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 four wheeling when he road with one of his friends dad up Surprise Canyon in the Panamint Valley at age14. After nearly 3 different roll overs later and a half dozen intense waterfalls, Josh was hooked. At 16 he purchased his first Jeep a CJ 7 and by 17 was putting his first locker in it. Currently, Josh is the owner and CEO of Nybble, an IT Solutions Company based in Orange County, California. Nybble isn't your normal IT company where everyone stays in and plays video games. Nybble's average company trip is out on the trails since a good amount of his staff enjoy wheeling too. As Josh likes to say, he offers the only IT Company with the ability to provide services in extreme locations. "If you want a server at the top of The Hammers, we will take care of that for you." Today you can find Josh out on the trail behind the wheel in one of his three different off-road vehicles. See the vehicles below for more information. If you ever run into Josh, please say high, he is a very friendly person and is always happy to have a new person join the group.

Community

Questions & Answers (5)

Q: Would a (basically) stock WK2 make it up to the campground? Thanks!
–Bennett (01/11/2018)
A: 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.
–Josh Noesser (01/12/2018)
Q: Is the campground open? And is there any snow and if so how much?
–Dylan (12/14/2017)
A: 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.
–Josh Noesser (12/14/2017)
Q: Would a completely stock full size 4x4 truck be able to make it to voyager rock campground?
–sal (08/01/2017)
A: 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.
–Josh Noesser (08/01/2017)
Q: Has anyone been up to Voyager Rock this year (2017) to camp? I wanted to check on snow and trail before I headed up.
–Tim Bruner (07/25/2017)
A: 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
–Tim Bruner (08/02/2017)
A: Hey Tim, were you able to make it out there? If so can you post up a drip report with some photos?
–Josh Noesser (08/01/2017)
A: 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.
–Josh Noesser (07/25/2017)
A: 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.
–Tim Bruner (07/25/2017)
A: 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.
–Josh Noesser (07/25/2017)
Q: Can a lifted 4x4 2006 dodge quad cab long bed with 37" tires make it to Voyager Rock Campground?
–KEN MURRAY (06/27/2017)
A: 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.
–Josh Noesser (06/27/2017)

Trail Reviews (1)

Author:
James and Frankie
Status: Open
Offroaded on:
Rating:
We did this trail in a Jeep Commander with a brand new 2” lift. It was great fun. Trail was clean of tree falls and other unexpected obstacles. Parts of the trail were pretty rough for our rig, but we made it without any vehicle damage. We’re happy with our lift. I am happy to announce that two pit toilets have been added to Voyager Campground. Bring your own toilet paper, of course, in case the provided rolls are gone. There are no garbage cans. Plan to pack it in, pack it out.
Trail Review: 7S32 - Voyager Rock
Trail Review: 7S32 - Voyager Rock
Trail Review: 7S32 - Voyager Rock
Trail Review: 7S32 - Voyager Rock
Trail Review: 7S32 - Voyager Rock
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