| This file describes leaving Hwy 99 at Madera, one way to get to Chiquito Pass. | ||||||||
| Driving Directions | > | Central Valley | > | Chiquito Pass and Clover Meadow | ||||
| Chiquito Pass via Quartz Mountain | ||||||||
| Waypoints are plotted in several images to clarify the text below. | ||||||||
Below are ROUGH driving directions for a trailhead to Chiquito Pass that originates near Quartz Mountain. The trail heads downhill 0.8 miles (loosing 200 ft) to Chiquito Pass. Although a little more difficult to drive and find, it saves a 2.1 miles (one way) and a 800 ft climb from the standard trailhead near Globe Rock. The dirt road is for a high clearance vehicle, but a passenger car if carefully driven can probably make it. There are many spur roads, so generally follow the most used one.
Follow the directions as posted for Chiquito Pass and Clover Meadow from Oakhurst. From the intersection of Road 222 and Beasore Road (near Bass Lake) drive on Beasore Road 3.9 miles passing Chilkoot Campground. Continue on Beasore (often signed as 5S07) another 7.5 miles to Cold Springs Summit (a 4 way intersection. If you continue straight ahead, you eventually reach the Globe Rock Trailhead in 7.4 miles. A right turn goes to Chilkoot Lake). At Cold Springs Summit, turn left onto unpaved Road 6S10S. In about 1.5 miles, meet a road on the right that may be signed for Quartz Mtn (at this point follow signs for Quartz Mtn to trailhead). You have two options, the first being shorter but on a rougher road.
1) Turn right and follow for 3 miles until reaching Sky Ranch Road 6S10. Turn right onto Sky Ranch Road passing the Grizzly Lake Trailhead on the right after 4.8 miles. Continue, passing Cold Springs Meadow road on the left in another 0.5 miles. In another 3.2 miles, a spur road goes left downhill. Take this spur road 0.5 miles to the trailhead parking area. The trailhead is on the far side near a Forest Service bulletin board.
2) Go straight and in 3 miles reach Sky Ranch Road 6S10 near Kelty Meadow and Campground. Go straight onto Sky Ranch Road 6S10 and in around 2 miles pass the Fresno Dome Campground on the left. Continue, passing the Fresno Dome Trailhead on the right. 1.8 miles past the Fresno Dome Trailhead, the first option road is on the right. Continue on Sky Ranch Road as in option #1.
Sky Ranch Road originates north of Yosemite Forks on Hwy 41. I am uncertain of the directions and it may involve a shorter drive on more dirt road.
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