Dog Creek Loop

This trail is composed of packed dirt and sand with lots of small rocks embedded in the surface. Near the top, vegetation is sparse, likely due to high winds, but the views of the Virginia Lakes area, surrounding mountains, the Bodie Mountains, and Highway 395 below are spectacular. The trail quickly descends into a valley and small canyon, where the rocks give way to mostly sandy terrain lined with grasses. It skirts around an aspen forest, where deep ruts can make navigation tricky, so proceed with caution. The trail then opens into a huge meadow and loops back to connect with the Dog Creek Valley Trail. The center section is overgrown with grass, adding a bit of natural challenge. While high clearance and a 4x4 are recommended, they are not strictly required.