Trail Overview

This is a highly technical, beautiful in and out trail located in the Eldorado National Forest on the border of the Desolation Wilderness near South Shore Lake Tahoe. The trail starts near Wrights Lake at Dark Lake and ends at Barrett Lake. The trail is only open a few weeks of the year due to snow and wet weather. Please check BLM for current status of the trail. There is a gate that is 86" wide at the trailhead. If you can not fit through this gate do not go on the trail, there are many squeeze obstacles and you will not fit on the trail. This is an extremely environmentally sensitive trail, please tread very lightly and pack out anything you find.

Photos of Barrett Lake Jeep Trail - 16E21

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Difficulty

The trail has large rock gardens requiring heavily modified vehicles and experienced drivers. Most obstacles do not have bypasses. There are no exit points on the trail, if you go in, you must go out the way you went in.

Technical Rating

Francisco Perez

Aug 24, 2025

Open

Definitely a hard 7, we have a 2.5 game changer on 35s, lots of rubbing, banging and pivoting on sliders and frame. But definitely doable with a good line choice or spotter.

Class V Taco

Aug 12, 2025

Open

Marc Wolfson

Aug 05, 2025

Open

Ran this as a passenger with Santa Rosa 4x4 and the highlanders to do trail maintenance and build two outhouses at Barret Lake. The highlanders cleared approx 40 trees and 4 large boulders they drilled and moved. Trail is passable now but recommend at least 35s 2.5 lift and skid plates. This run is like the rubicon compresses in 4.7 miles

Miles Schneider

Jul 12, 2025

Open

Class V Taco

Aug 16, 2024

Open

Great trail! Very tight and quite difficult to navigate a double cab long bed tacoma!

Horton Horton

Aug 04, 2024

Open

The trail opened on Thursday and we ran it Saturday and Sunday. It rained Friday and Saturday morning making for great dust control. There is one muddy section that has been blocked off and bypass to keep from destroying the trail. There were about 5 groups camping and traffic was minimal.

CJ Arnesen

Jan 28, 2023

Open