Trail Overview
Managed by the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, this rugged subalpine spur winds through towering pine timber along the picturesque, granite-ringed shores of Tamarack Lake. Accessed directly off Sunset Lakes Road - FS 31097, this short but engaging track is primarily utilized by public forest visitors seeking primitive, lakeside dispersed camping, tranquil fishing, and stunning high-country views. Turning off the main road, the track immediately makes a sharp right near the base of the dam, where seasonal water pools across the entrance, deviating slightly from mapped lines as it cuts between the trees. The trail then closely traces the scenic lakeshore, where receding summer water levels reveal wide, exposed dirt shorelines and several secluded camping clearings with rustic stone fire rings. The route culminates at a peaceful final campsite set against the water, offering an ideal mountain hideaway.
Difficulty
Earning a Grade 3 difficulty rating, this is a narrow, bumpy dirt spur that quickly becomes rough, loose, and significantly eroded. Key obstacles include a standing water puddle at the turn beneath the dam, followed immediately by a short, steep hill filled with embedded granite boulders, loose dirt, and large exposed tree roots squeezed tightly between two pines. Elevated ground clearance and four-wheel-drive traction are required to navigate the uneven incline without high-centering or losing momentum on the loose, rutted surface.
