I was able to run Barrett Lake , last weekend with a couple of my regular wheeling buddies. Chris in his YJ, Darin in the Bronco and myself with the four door JK. I had my son and daughter with me on this trip.

Barrett is only open for a couple months each summer. This was my first trip here. There is a gate at the trail head that is maybe 86 or 88 inches wide. If you can't pass through the gate then you don't belong on the trail. It is that tight in many places. As soon as you pass through the gate you will come to the first obstacle, a "Gate Keeper" type set of boulders that get your attention right away. You're not on the rocks the entire time here. The trail is mostly dirt with alot of real challanging tight, switchback, off camber squeezes between trees with a boulder in there just to make things interesting. There are a few rock gardens along the way, with a number of lines to choose from. There is a narrow, off camber section of trail with the creek about 50 ft below you. You'll come to some granite slabs about midway to Barrett Lake and once again at Barrett Lake. Once we got to Barrett Lake I had a tough time getting through the tight turns between the trees as I made my way to the campground. The trail is very tight and technical. If you care about keeping the body clean, this trail will wear you out. If not, who cares. I saw many rigs that didn't care.

I managed to make it out with just scratches to my fender flares, hood scratches, when a tree branch magically appeared and rode over my hood and the usual under carriage rock rash. I did break the bead on my driver front tire while I was pushing up on a boulder with my wheel turned to it. I blame my spotter, Chris, for that one. I was lucky though. The tire didn't come off. It was still holding air. A little air to reseat and I was good to go.

So a four door JK can run Barrett Lake Trail. This whole are is extemely beautiful with lakes and hiking trails throughout. My kids actually hiked the trail and had a great time. They did call for the taxi a few times.

Great trail. Go do it. Pics from a kids perspective to follow.

http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt28/jkrob08/Barrett%20Lake/IMG_1200.jpg?t=1250042501


http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt28/jkrob08/Barrett%20Lake/IMG_1070.jpg?t=1250042741


http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt28/jkrob08/Barrett%20Lake/IMG_1076.jpg?t=1250043098

http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt28/jkrob08/Barrett%20Lake/IMG_1086.jpg?t=1250043345

http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt28/jkrob08/Barrett%20Lake/IMG_1089.jpg?t=1250043424

http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt28/jkrob08/Barrett%20Lake/IMG_1033.jpg?t=1250043558

http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt28/jkrob08/Barrett%20Lake/IMG_1029.jpg

http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt28/jkrob08/Barrett%20Lake/IMG_1005.jpg?t=1250043986

http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt28/jkrob08/Barrett%20Lake/IMG_1001.jpg?t=1250044058

http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt28/jkrob08/Barrett%20Lake/IMG_1203.jpg?t=1250044175

More Pics Coming

Sounds like a fun trail Rob, glad you guys had a good time. Great description and pics! I haven't been on this trail, but it sounds like it's definately one to put on the list.

here are a few more pics

http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt28/jkrob08/Barrett%20Lake/IMG_1108.jpg?t=1250125949

http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt28/jkrob08/Barrett%20Lake/IMG_1149.jpg?t=1250126021

http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt28/jkrob08/Barrett%20Lake/IMG_1141.jpg?t=1250126104

http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt28/jkrob08/Barrett%20Lake/IMG_0991.jpg?t=1250126255

This shackle and bailing wire held the spring the entire trip.

http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt28/jkrob08/Barrett%20Lake/IMG_0973.jpg?t=1250126340

Darin bends what is basically his track bar. Was able to bend it back, tack welded a piece if 1/4 X 1 1/2 channel stock to strengthen the bend, then wrapped in bailing wire and duct tape for good measure.

http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt28/jkrob08/Barrett%20Lake/IMG_1152.jpg?t=1250126857

http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt28/jkrob08/Barrett%20Lake/IMG_1153.jpg?t=1250126951


http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt28/jkrob08/Barrett%20Lake/IMG_1198.jpg?t=1250127041

http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt28/jkrob08/Barrett%20Lake/IMG_1020.jpg?t=1250127154

Nice...

I have heard that the JK's have trouble in some spots because there are a few really narrow places- looks like you squeezed through that tree okay.

That looks like lots of fun nice pics

trail info please:grinpimp:Geo, location share:D

Degrees Minutes Seconds:
Latitude: 38-50'58'' N
Longitude: 120-13'56'' W
Decimal Degrees:
Latitude: 38.8493523
Longitude: -120.2321347



The above coordinates are to Wrights Lake.
To get there, take hwy 50 towards South Lake Tahoe. Turn left at Wrights Lake Rd. which is approximately five miles east of Kyburz. Be advised,Wrights Lake Rd. is very steep and narrow, from 50 to the lake, if you are towing. I barely made it up with my 20ft E350 motorhome and towing 7000 lbs. My brakes were cooked when I made it to the bottom. Scary coming down.

Follow the road to Wrights Lake. Do not go towards Ice House Rd. When you arrive at Wrights Lake, continue through the area. You will pass a couple of parking lots and I believe two gates or cattle crossings. There will be a small ranger or visitors station on the left. Continue past that and you will soon come to the trailhead. Also, if you are towing, there is a parking lot where you can leave your tow rig and trailer. You must detach the trailer and park it in a seperate space.


This is the gate at the trailhead. Posted on 'trails.com" by our very own Briggita.

http://cdn-community2.trails.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/7/8/c789afa4-560b-4e2a-88ca-d529b5e4b795.Large.jpg


The trail is very narrow. If you can't make it through the gate then you don't belong on the trail.