Courtright Reservoir—Maxson Trailhead 8040’; 11S 325593 4106033
Information and Permits: This trailhead is in Sierra National Forest: 1600 Tollhouse Road, Clovis, CA 93611, 559-297-0706, www.fs.fed.us/r5/sierra/. Permits are required for overnight stays, and quotas apply; reserved permits and on-demand permits are available.
Driving Directions: From Clovis (near Fresno), take Hwy. 168 42 miles northeast to the town of Shaver Lake. Turn right (generally east) onto Dinkey Creek Road and follow it 26 miles to the Wishon/Courtright Reservoir junction. The road to Courtright Reservoir takes the left fork, turning uphill toward the north. Follow this road another 7.5 miles to arrive at the south end of the dam. Continue to the right and cross the dam at the spillway. In another 0.6 mile, the road ends at a paved parking lot signed MAXSON TRAILHEAD.
7 Post Corral Meadows
Trip Data: 11S 331535 4110014; 15 miles; 2/0 days
Topos: Courtright Reservoir, Ward Mountain
Highlights: This trip is an excellent choice for a weekend excursion. The route winds past the granite domes surrounding Courtright Reservoir, traverses sunny subalpine meadows, and climbs through open forests of pine. With moderate elevation gain, easy terrain, and an abundance of campsites, this is a fine selection for beginners.
DAY 1 (Maxson Trailhead to Post Corral Meadows, 7.5 miles): Leaving the trailhead from the west side, head north along the marked trail for 300 yards until it joins the Dusy Jeep Trail. This wide, dusty road descends briefly and then levels out over dirt and open granite slabs. After about 1 mile, an obvious log signed NO MOTOR VEHICLES bars such vehicles. The jeep trail heads left, while your route crosses the log and turns right (northeast).
The trail continues north next to a small creek for a half mile before fording it at the entrance to Maxson Meadows. Here, the trail turns into a raised path of wood and sand designed to help minimize impact on the area. Please take care to stay on the path to protect the surrounding picturesque meadows. After passing Chamberlain’s Camp, the trail climbs about a mile of rocky switchbacks. While never steep, the elevation gain is steady for this mile. Beyond, the trail quickly levels off in a dense stand of lodgepole pine and comes to the signed Hobler Lake/Post Corral Meadows junction (8872’; 11S 327623 4110278). Take the right fork eastward.
The trail is briefly wide and flat and then begins to descend moderately through more pine and short switchbacks. Where the sandy trail leaves the forest, cross a seasonal creek and enter Long Meadow. The picturesque meadow is appropriately named and makes an excellent lunch and water stop. The small stream draining Long Meadow may be low during late season but will still provide water. If you got a late start, there are several campsites (8544’; 11S 329085 4110671) on the small, short rise to the north of the meadow that offer good wind protection.
Post Corral Creek
After reaching the mouth of Long Meadow, the route traverses the length of the field and then gently descends back into the trees. Here, reach a poorly signed junction with the Burnt Corral Creek Trail. That trail heads north and is quite faint, and the sign is easily missed when heading east along this route. Continue ahead (east) and don’t be concerned if you do not see the junction. Stroll next to the stream and then ford it after about 0.75 mile.
The trail then drops back into more lodgepole pine, gradually descends, and turns toward the south. When the trail reaches a short wooden bridge and flattens, it is another mile to the Post Corral Creek ford. Although they may be difficult to spot at first, there are several quiet campsites tucked into the pines along this section of the trail. If the sites at Post Corral are full, you can backtrack to this area to find seclusion.
Just before the ford of Post Corral Creek, a granite boulder field opens on the right (west) side of the trail. There are several obvious campsites here (8200’; 11S 331535 4110014), at the edge of the encroaching forest. At the ford of Post Corral Creek, a wide granite slab eases gently into the water, making an idyllic dinner site.
DAY 2 (Post Corral Meadows to Maxson Trailhead, 7.5 miles): Retrace your steps.
8 Bench Valley Lakes
Trip Data: 11S 340056 4105107 (at Guest Lake); 40 miles; 6/1 days
Topos: Courtright Reservoir, Ward Mountain, Blackcap Mountain, Mt. Henry
Highlights: This trip traverses the lush, forested meadows surrounding Corral Mountain and offers sweeping vistas of granite domes along North Fork Kings River. The path then ascends through serene meadows carpeted in wildflowers to the stark alpine beauty of the Bench Valley basin. The many small lakes and cliffs in this hanging valley offer fishing, rock climbing, and rich alpenglow at sunset. Since most of the trail follows marked, easy terrain, this trip makes a great choice for a longer yet moderate outing.
DAY 1 (Maxson Trailhead to Post Corral Meadows, 7.5 miles): (Recap: Trip 7, Day 1.) Leaving the trailhead from the west side, head north along the marked trail for 300 yards until it joins the Dusy Jeep Trail. After about 1 mile, an obvious log signed NO MOTOR VEHICLES bars vehicles; cross the log and turn right (northeast). Go generally north next to a small creek for a half mile before fording it at the entrance to Maxson Meadows. Follow a raised wood and sand trail designed to help protect the area.
After passing Chamberlain’s Camp, the trail climbs about a mile of rocky switchbacks. Beyond, the trail levels off in a dense stand of lodgepole pine and comes to the signed Hobler Lake/Post Corral Meadows junction (8872´; 11S 327623 4110278). Take the right fork (east).
The trail is briefly wide and flat and then begins to descend short switchbacks. Where the sandy trail leaves the forest, cross a seasonal creek and enter Long Meadow. Late-starters will find several campsites (8544’; 11S 329085 4110671) on the small, short rise to the north of the meadow.
Traverse Long Meadow and then descend to a poorly signed junction with the Burnt Corral Creek Trail (easily missed when heading east along this route; don’t worry if you don’t see it). Continue ahead (east) next to the stream and then ford it after about 0.75 mile.
The trail then gradually descends while turning south. When the trail reaches a short wooden bridge and flattens, it is another mile to the Post Corral Creek ford. There are several quiet, hard-to-spot campsites tucked into the trees along this section of the trail. (If the sites at Post Corral Creek are full, backtrack to this area.)
Just before the ford of Post Corral Creek, a granite boulder field opens on the right (west) side of the trail. There are several obvious campsites here (8200’; 11S 331535 4110014).
DAY 2 (Post Corral Meadows to North Fork Kings River, 5.6 miles): Shortly after fording Post Corral Creek (wet in early season), the Hell For Sure Pass Trail heads left at a signed junction. Go right (south), following a