Barrett Lake Trail

The trail is currently
Closed
This posting last updated Jan 15, 2012

Many folks ask," how long is the trail typically open"?
Answer; until the first Fall/Winter storm drops snow on the trail.

Here is a list of closing dates for the last six years.

2011      October 9th (Open for 4 weeks)
2010      October 24th (Open for 11weeks)
2009      October 13th (Open for 14 weeks)
2008      November1st (Open for 14 weeks)
2007      September 30th (Open for 13 weeks)
2006      October 3rd (Open for 11 weeks)

2011 Trail Report

This year the Hi-Landers 4WD Club required two trips into our Barrett Lake Adopt-A-Trail to prepare it for the wheeling public due to the very wet winter.
The first trip into the trail was Aug. 13th and 14th we had 20 volunteers which contributed 400 man hours to cut 42 trees from the trail, reset the now named "floating bridge" (it was washed off the trail by the winter runoff) it required winching numerous times to get it back on the trail. We cleaned up the campground, cut fire wood for future campers and performed maintenance on the pit toilet. We encountered snow on the trail making it unsuitable for opening to the public until the snow melts.

The second trip into Barrett was Sept. 3rd, 4th and 5th. We had 12 volunteers which contributed 360 man hours. We cut 4 additional dead trees which were leaning over the trail. We also did erosion control using jeep trailer filled with rock and deposited it on the parts of the trail that had been inundated with water by the winter storms. Additional work preformed; cut and moved downed logs and cleared brush that blocked the natural drainage for the trail. At the campground we cut more wood for campfires and did additional maintenance on the pit toilet. Upon completion of our work we recommended that the trail be opened to the public.

Note: The trail is very rough this year with increased chance of vehicle damage.

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.

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

HL Logo

Bridge project over Jones Creek on the Barrett Lake Trail.

Click the bridge to go th the bridge page.

12N77

Ver-120115

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