Brewer Lake

Brewer Lake is a challenging 3-mile four-wheel-drive trail in the Sierra National Forest that offers a perfect mix of scenic Sierra beauty and technical rock crawling for experienced offroaders. Starting at an elevation of 8,387 feet and climbing to 8,943 feet, the route begins as a relatively easy to moderate dirt road that winds through dense pine forests with stunning views of Shaver Lake in the distance. This initial section is suitable for high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles and SxSs looking for a scenic drive. However, as the trail approaches its end, the terrain changes dramatically into a demanding rock crawling route. The final three-quarters of a mile is where the trail earns its difficult rating, serving up tightly spaced, sharp granite boulders that require high clearance, skid plates, and durable tires. Stock vehicles will find this section impassable and should park at the designated turnouts to hike the remaining distance to the shoreline. Those with capable rigs who conquer the rocky obstacles will be rewarded with pristine camping spots right along the edge of Brewer Lake. The trail is typically accessible from late spring through autumn, depending on snowmelt, and provides an excellent base camp for fishing or enjoying the serene alpine wilderness.