US West Highway 4 CA

[WTSMatt]

Have a few days free coming up and looking for suggestions for dispersed camping near water: lake, river, etc. Taking GF and her kids to Columbia to do the touristy gold era stuff then go relax in the dirt for a few days. Any suggestions for HWY 4 or HWY 108 to relax and swim away from it all for a few days?

 

[Mtnmn99]

There are few places along the Stanislaus river

 

[dub_stackz]

Lmk what you find, I’m planning to run out there in the near future, not sure what to expect.

 

[WTSMatt]

Will do. Still trying to figure out where we’re going. Looking at a potential heat wave starting 7/7 so definitely need to find the waters to hang at.

 

[Advtres]

Been here a couple times some spots are better then others : Clarkfork Trail Head

 

[shansonpac]

Been here a couple times some spots are better then others : Clarkfork Trail Head

Is dispersed camping allowed at the TH? Just be aware that dispersed camping is not allowed along 7N83.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd522360.pdf

 

[WTSMatt]

There are few places along the Stanislaus river

Any suggestions on which roads have hood access?

 

[WTSMatt]

So due to the start of the Electra Fire and then the Washburn Fire we decided to do a different trip and ended up at Courtright Reservoir, specifically Voyager Rock Campground. This is located in the Sierra National Forest off HWY 168. The campground is 14 primitive sites, they include picnic table, bear box and fire ring. There are 2 pit toilets as well. There are 14 sites I believe, first come basis. While the 'dirt driving' portion is only about 2 miles it is fun. Definitely need 4WD and I'd suggest at least a slight lift. Very beautiful country and the reservoir sits at about 8200' so while the air was hot the water was cold. For those very much more adventurous and prepared the gnarly part of the Dusy-Eshram Trail starts just past the campground and is open August 1-November 1. Check out some YouTube videos on the Dusy before even thinking about checking it out. We haven't stayed in a campground in quite some time and all in all it was pleasant. There were some a$$hats who were playing music loudly literally all night our first night. I politely asked them to keep their music down during the day and off at night and they did so without protest. The rest of our 4 days there were really nice and quiet with maybe only 2-3 other groups that came and went during it.

 

[Kent R]

So due to the start of the Electra Fire and then the Washburn Fire we decided to do a different trip and ended up at Courtright Reservoir, specifically Voyager Rock Campground. This is located in the Sierra National Forest off HWY 168. The campground is 14 primitive sites, they include picnic table, bear box and fire ring. There are 2 pit toilets as well. There are 14 sites I believe, first come basis. While the 'dirt driving' portion is only about 2 miles it is fun. Definitely need 4WD and I'd suggest at least a slight lift. Very beautiful country and the reservoir sits at about 8200' so while the air was hot the water was cold. For those very much more adventurous and prepared the gnarly part of the Dusy-Eshram Trail starts just past the campground and is open August 1-November 1. Check out some YouTube videos on the Dusy before even thinking about checking it out. We haven't stayed in a campground in quite some time and all in all it was pleasant. There were some a$$hats who were playing music loudly literally all night our first night. I politely asked them to keep their music down during the day and off at night and they did so without protest. The rest of our 4 days there were really nice and quiet with maybe only 2-3 other groups that came and went during it.
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Looks like a great trip. That is a nice short trail, I really like the granite slabs on the way in.