Dusy-Ershim Trail

The granite slab at Dusy Lakes tilts at forty degrees and runs wet with snowmelt even in August. Most rigs slide backward down its polished face on the first attempt, leaving rubber streaks and scratched skid plates as evidence of Sierra Nevada’s most unforgiving lesson. The Dusy-Ershim Trail earns its reputation as California’s most notorious granite gauntlet through 24 miles of technical bedrock crawling that connects Bishop Creek to Kings Canyon at elevations reaching 11,900 feet.

This expert-level route demands a fully built 4WD with rock sliders, heavy skid plates, and a winch that will see constant use. Stock anything gets destroyed on the granite shelves and boulder fields that define every mile of this alpine torture test. The trail climbs 3,800 feet through Inyo National Forest terrain where one wrong line means body damage or worse. Water crossings stay cold and swift through September, and the granite surfaces turn into skating rinks when wet. Plan on two to three days minimum—not because of distance, but because every obstacle requires careful spotting, multiple attempts, and frequent winch recovery. Cell service disappears the moment you leave Bishop, and the nearest help sits 30 miles away down winding mountain roads.

July through September offers the only viable window, when snowpack finally clears the high passes but before winter storms return. Dispersed camping exists throughout the route, though finding level ground for a tent becomes its own challenge among the granite domes and boulder piles. Fuel up in Bishop and carry extra—the constant low-range crawling and winch work drains tanks faster than normal trail driving. The technical sections never let up, demanding constant attention and precise wheel placement on surfaces that offer little margin for error.

What you get for the punishment is access to some of California’s most spectacular alpine country, where granite peaks scrape 14,000 feet and glacial lakes reflect Sierra sunsets. This trail separates weekend warriors from serious wheelers—it will find every weakness in your rig and driving skills. Come prepared for damage, bring recovery gear, and expect to earn every mile through landscape that rewards only those willing to pay the granite toll.