Barrett Lake Trail

Barrett Lake Trail is a High Sierra rock crawling trail located in the Eldorado National Forest. The trail typically opens the last weekend of July and is only open for about two months, usually closing around mid October (these dates are typical from past experience). The determining factor on opening and closing the trail is how much mud and snow is on the trail, the Forest Service has ultimate control on opening and closing the trail.

The trail is suggested only for the experienced four-wheeler with non-stock, lifted and modified rigs. The trail is limited to narrow short wheel based vehicles. Rating the trail on a 1 to 10 system this trail is a 10. The Barrett Lake Trail is a single path trail there is no bypassing the hard spots. The Gateposts at the Trailhead are 82 inches apart and are used as a gauge; if your vehicle cannot fit between the gateposts it will not make it through the squeeze points on the trail, and again there are no bypasses.

The Barrett Lake Trailhead is located at Dark Lake just north of Wrights Lake. The trail is a dead-end trail that is about six miles long from gate to Barrett Lake Campground. The average speed on this trail is 1½ to 2 miles per hour so you should plan on about four hours on the trail each way. The trail snakes through wooded areas, side hills, rock slabs and has a few creek crossings. The trail is an environmentally sensitive trail running on the border of Desolation Wilderness deviating from the established trail, driving onto Desolation Wilderness land or walking onto Desolation Wilderness without a permit has and will result in heavy forest service fines.

The trail ends at the Barrett Lake Campground. The campground is a primitive campground with no conveniences with the exception of a pit toilet that is maintained only by the common sense of the users, so bring your own toilet paper, don’t throw any trash into the toilet pit and please pack out all your trash when you leave. You will also need plenty of fresh water unless you plan to purify the lake water. While at the campground please do not park or camp on the lake shore and please observe all posted boundary signs.

The trail is often closed without notice due to inclement weather. The open/closed posting on this page reflect seasonal closure, not daily closure. It is suggested you contact Eldorado National Forest for current trail information. One of the contact numbers for the Eldorado Forest Service is 530-647-5415. They are usually there from 8 am to 5 pm, weekdays. You should stop at the Forest Service Office on the way in and pick up a wilderness permit and check on fire permit requirements and restrictions. Please help keep this sensitive trail open by observing tread lightly rules, Please don’t litter the trail , camp ground and Pit Toilet. Remember if you packed it in you must pack it back out.

Thank you and enjoy the trail.

Click here for a map of the area
(PDF File and you will need Acrobat Reader to view map)

Here are a few photos of the trail but we suggest you experience it for yourself.

Seasonal Closure
The trail closes when the first big storm of the season occurs, for 2009 that date was October 13th.

2009 Trail Report
On the weekend of July 4, 2009 the Hi-Lander Four Wheel Drive Club had a work party on the Barrett Lake Trail.  Upon completion of our work we found the trail to be still a little wet but in good condition. 
We recommended the opening of the trail to be Saturday July11th.
During our work party we removed 18 fallen trees from the trail, cleared all creak crossings of debris and repaired some rut and erosion damage.  The trail also had a few large rocks on it that may have been relocated there by past trail users or Mother Nature.  If you encounter a difficult spot we recommend rearranging and stacking of small rocks.  This helps prevent tires from digging holes that can cause erosion.  Winching or moving of large rocks is not recommended.  Please do not alter the trails difficulty or route, we try to maintain a trail for the true (lifted and modified) Four Wheeler but do not wish this trail to become an extreme only trail.  So please help maintain it in its present state and report any problems to us at
Thank you and enjoy.

Links to some Barrett Lake Trail sites.
We have no control over these outside sites. Please report any inappropriate material to webmaster@hi-landers.com

Eldorado National Forest trail info
4x4wire.com
XJ Zone
UTV Guide.net
Google Videos

Here are some You Tube video links Try searching on key word "Barrett Lake" while at You Tube for a huge list of videos.

Barrett Lake 8-23-2008
Barrett lake trail 1.
Barrett lake trail 2.
Barrett lake on Aug 12 2006
Barrett Lake
Rhino on the Barrett Lake Trail
2nd Rock Garden at Barrett Lake Barrett lake "slabs"
Barrett Lake pt.1
Barrett Lake at Night

Bridge project over Jones Creek on the Barrett Lake Trail.

Click the bridge to go th the bridge page.