Dusy-Ershim Early Aug

[roaniecowpony]

I think it's time to start stirring some interest in a Dusy-Ershim trip for early August. From Fresno, the Dusy-Ershim trail is about 60 miles northeast. The trail runs out of Courtwright Reservoir and runs north and out onto the paved Kaiser Pass Rd in the Kaiser Pass, which is northeast of Huntington Lake.

The Dusy is about 33 mi long IIRC. The difficulty, as I understand it, is as much about the length as the obstacles. I've been told the obstacles are not the endless quantity and tightness of the Rubicon trail. It would likely be 3 day run, with 2 nights on the trail, camping and fishing in the numerous small lakes up around 10,000 ft in altitude.

In talking with my brother, who has been on this trail numerous times, he recommends basing out of some spartan lodging at Dinky Creek inn. For those that wish to wheel more, there are numerous day or part day trails around to go out and back to lodging.

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[Sportacus]

Sounds interesting and i should have the time.

by then will have front/rear lockers and hopefully 3.5” gamechanger

 

[3TV]

I definitely want to go. My only problem is that my spotter will be in the middle east for the next year. Maybe I can corral my wife into going.

 

[roaniecowpony]

I definitely want to go. My only problem is that my spotter will be in the middle east for the next year. Maybe I can corral my wife into going.

I'm sure we'll have some good spotters. I may even be able to convince your old patient, Keith, to come on this one.

 

[3TV]

I'm sure we'll have some good spotters. I may even be able to convince your old patient, Keith, to come on this one.

Count me in then.

 

[Craigger]

If I can swing it, I'll be there. Keep me in the loop!

 

[SadRobot]

I can't say either way at the moment but sounds like a fun trip.

 

[dstevens]

My feeling is that, like the Rubicon Trail, a lot of vehicles are on 40s and so the obstacles get rutted out to that sized wheel. Or are groomed to that level. Having said that, we had no problem with the 37s on the Rubicon trial. And difficulty looks about the same as the Rubicon Trail, mainly near the North entrance/exit.

www.fresno4x4.com/dusy-ershim-trail

Reading trip reports and watching some videos:

- most people through-running go South to North
- day trippers and lake fishers go out and back from the North end
- Dinky Creek is about 1 hour drive from the start of trail
- there are not many campgrounds on the trail. In particular, there's nothing between Chicken Rock and the top of Thompson Hill
- time from the trail head to the top of Thompson Hill is 9 hours, assuming someone does not invite their neighbor with a Bronco.
- I see a lot of people completing Thomson Hill in the dark.
- after Thomson Hill then Ershim Lake is a popular campground. This middle part of the trail is easier, but long, with fresno4x4 says 7 hours travel.
- Ershim Lake to the North trailhead is about the same time - 6-7 hours
- from the North trailhead then Huntington Lake is 30 minutes away, and should have fuel.
- due to the length (20 hours off road) extra fuel is necessary
- average speed is around 1mph which matches with the Rubicon Trail

I've also had reports from a friend that it is easy to lay over into a tree and that hard tops are not advised. I'm sure plenty of people do it in hardtops. Perhaps someone who has done the trail recently can comment.

Also spotter? Recon by fire I say.

 

[Snacktime]

Ran it last year same time period and going to add an additional day next trip. Burned 15 gallons of gas running the loop up hill. Trail has 3-4 hard spots(Thompson Hill took 4 hours), constant rocks in-between trees that move and very tight for all 33 miles. Rubicon is bigger obstacles, Dusty is a war of attrition. I was gassed out the entire first day of wheeling just from the elevation and dragging cable.

Rob does a really good job at writing up our adventures. Definitely worth the read
https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/dusy-ershim-trail-trip-aug-3-8-2025.119902/

Minimum items would be winch, snatch blocks and multiple tree savers.

 

[roaniecowpony]

On the fuel, with regard to JLs, a few reports I've read said that it was almost a full tank, from Dinky Creek store, up the trail to Kaiser Pass, and down the paved road to Huntington Lake. But there's a lot of variables.

 

[roaniecowpony]

Some additional information on camping/lodging and other trails from my brother who started going there in the 70s.

Look at the trails; Dusy, Swamp, Red Lake, Coyote Lake, Brewer Lake, Strawberry and Mirror Lake.

Camp at Dinkey Creek, Wishon Store Campground, Rancheria Creek, Courtwright Resivoir, or Shaver Lake on the south.

For the north end , Tamarack Lodge, China Peak Ski lodge, Huntington Lake cabins or campground, or Mono Hot Springs.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/sierra/recreation/opportunities/highway-vehicles-ohv

 

[3TV]

That link says we need a campfire permit for a portable stove. Thinking pulled pork burritos

 

[roaniecowpony]

That link says we need a campfire permit for a portable stove. Thinking pulled pork burritos

Yeah, I'm a fugitive. If they catch me, eat the evidence.

 

[Snacktime]

Yah no camp fires, we took a jerry can propane fire pit. We always meet up/assemble at the campsite below Chicken Rock. That way everyone can roll in when ever and camp on the lake. Its only 30 minutes in from the Dam and you have radio contact as soon as you can see the lake.

 

[roaniecowpony]

That link says we need a campfire permit for a portable stove. Thinking pulled pork burritos

I think the first year on the Rubicon, I had a permit. Then forgot about the permit subsequent years. I've gotten a few of them over the years. But, I suppose everyone in camp the last couple years on our Rubicon trips is on the lam, since I was a scofflaw and they destroyed the evidence.

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