Dale Matson
6 Mile Loop, 4.5 hours, Trailhead Elevation 7,492’, Highest Point 7,913’
This route departs from the Coyote Snow Park off (Highway 168) between Shaver and Huntington Lakes.
Click On Photographs To Enlarge
Route With Waypoints At Some Outbound Trail Junctions
Suunto Ambit Download With Huntington Lake At Top
It’s been about 8 years since I’ve done this trail. It has
lots of challenging ascents and descents. I am not a skilled backcountry skier
and no longer strong and steady enough to ski this difficult route. Because of
this I decided on my slow but certain Tubbs snowshoes and trekking poles. I
decided on a counter clockwise trip on the Coyote Trail until I joined the
Eagle Trail near the Shaver Lake overlook. I then stayed on the Eagle Trail for
my return to the trailhead.
I was surprised to find that the trails out of the snow park
had not been skied since the last snow. Fortunately a couple of good backcountry
skiers from South of Fresno, John and George were headed to the Huntington Lake
Overlook ahead of me. Both Susie my Airedale and I were thankful for their hard
work ahead of us.
It was good to do this trail once again and I found it to be
much better posted with trail signs along the route than years ago. Susie had
no problem staying with me and probably did another two miles than me with side
trips to investigate tracks and smells. It amazes me that a ten-year-old dog
has this much stamina and enthusiasm. Huntington Lake was not frozen over and consequently more evident than other times I have been there. The Lake level was down and I don't know if it was because of the work on the dam.
It was a sunny warm day and I was down to my wool shirt and
bare hands in no time. I fell once but unlike skis, I was able to get my feet
under me without taking off my snowshoes. If you are a good backcountry skier,
skis are the best way to do this trail. The trail signs are high to accommodate the snow pack. Some years, I have leaned my trekking poles against the top of the signs.
I used my Sony A7R2 with the Sony Zeiss 24-70mm f4 lens for
most of the shots. For one of my shots of Red Mountain and Huntington Lake, I also
used an adapted Canon 70-200mm f4 lens.
Heading back down the hill I stopped in Shaver Lake at
Norm’s Shaver Lake Deli. He was just leaving because his electricity had been
out and he had to close up. He reopened the place just so I could get some
snacks and a cola for the trip down the hill. Thanks Norm! He also sells some
of my books for me in his store.
It was a good day. As the former tag team wrestling champions
the Legion of Doom would say, “What a rush!”
Trail Information At Parking Area
Red Mountain 9,863'
Huntington Lake
At This Junction I Opted To Remain On The Eagle Trail
John And George Trail Breakers!
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